Palin a great choice to represent America's youth

By: Colleen Kopp

Posted: 9/4/08

It has been said that Sarah Palin, John McCain's vice presidential candidate, is too conservative for today's youth. To make such a statement seriously misses the mark on youth advocacy. Palin is exactly what youth need to thrive. She is pro-life. That is as pro-youth as she can be.

But is she fit for the current state of America? Do the people of America want a leader with her position on issues? As for the current state of America, this country has been - for two terms - in favor of a conservative president. To say we live in an increasingly liberal society and therefore a conservative leader would not work is quite the misstatement - it is actually a misconception of our society.

I remember my neighbor saying how she just could not believe Bush won another term. She said every single person she knew voted against him. In my neighbor's case and when in mindsets as such, we forget that we are only a small part of a very large society. Just because the people we choose to socialize with or the school we chose to attend seems one way, it does not reflect the country as a whole.

Popular political or societal groups are often not large in numbers, they are just loud. An example of this is how the public does not know the correct percentage of homosexuals in the human population. They just hear the loudest voice above the clamor and believe it. Groups with very strong voices, truthful or not, can take advantage of the public and sway them whichever way they want to as the biased media sits with a smirk, pumping a constant flow of propaganda into our lives.

Just because we hear this thing or that thing is a certain way, like the direction of our current society, does not mean it is true. If we hear "everyone's doing it," that does not make it right. Neither does it excuse certain behavior. Do not just believe what you think the crowd believes, or what The New York Times tells us. Think for yourselves; look at everything out there.

Palin has the stance that conservatives are looking for. McCain was wise to choose her for her belief and value systems. She is what he needs in order to sway the wary conservative vote.

But here's the catch: if Palin passionately supports abstinence-only education, why is her 17-year-old daughter pregnant? This seems a bit hypocritical. A person in a leadership position needs to practice what she preaches. It's an unfortunate example for parents who stress conservative, moral beliefs, to have their children behave in such a manner.

It is also unfortunate that the Palin family has been personally attacked these last few days. We all know children make mistakes, but with Bristol Palin's pregnancy in the spotlight, some conservatives are growing less enthusiastic about supporting Sarah Palin.

"It's troubling because you want to believe in Sarah Palin and believe that she's the day to McCain's night," said Christine Kohn, a 5th-semester pharmacy and music double major.

Kohn said the situation makes her wonder if there are other problems, familial or not, that Sarah Palin keeps hidden. What does she really stand for?

Palin brings a glimmer of hope into what looked like a hopeless presidential election. If you're concerned about the future of America, make a well-informed decision on the ballot this year.