Teen Politics

JSA Winter Congress

2012-02-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from the JSA (Junior States of America) convention in Washington DC. This convention was a two day long convention where high school students debated and passed bills all weekend long. From the legalization of Marijuana, to proposing a balanced budget, students of all political beliefs tackled such issues all weekend long.

The Winter Congress Convention consisted of four main parties: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, and the Socialist Party. Within each of these parties, there were one party chairs and three whips.

Upon arrival, I was placed in one of the many Senates there. Looking around the room, several Democratic and Socialist pins shown too bright in my Senate. I might add that I was the only senator in this room from my conservative high school chapter.

The following are the bills that I opposed (keep in mind that all of these bills are written by students):
                  - A resolution to end the Cuban Embargo
                  - A bill for SWAT accountability
                  - A bill to educate on non-discrimination of sexual orientation
                  - A resolution to guarantee mental health treatment to veterans
                  - A resolution to fight obesity via swing sets
                  - A bill to monitor political action committees
                  - A resolution to legalize marijuana

The following are the bills that I supported in the Senate:
                  - A bill to repeal no child left behind
                  - A bill to require the Federal Government to pass a balanced budget
                  - A resolution to restore outsourced jobs back to the United States

Older Generations

2012-01-26T13:35:00.000-08:00

Today I received a special phone call from my 79 year old Grandmother. She usually says "Hello," and "What's new," but today she asked me about politics.

She started by addressing President Obama's state of the Union Speech that he gave a couple days ago.
"He certainly speaks confidently about lies," she said.

My Grandmother began to ask me my pick for the Presidential Race. If you have read my previous blogs, you would have noticed that I have already endorsed Romney. Nevertheless, I began to tell her my thoughts about the future of this great country that I have the privilege to live in.

She agreed and said, "Well Matthew, if he stays in for another 4 years, America will certainly be more and more socialist."

Her response hit home for me. She was right and in her 79 years of being an American citizen she questioned her country in 2009 when he was inaugurated.

Joesph

2012-01-25T18:01:00.000-08:00

Today I attended my weekly youth group. My youth leader, Steven, started his new series on Joesph. He depicted the short family line of Jacob's family. He had 12 brothers and 1 sister. Jacob had 4 wives in the course of his life. Steven told us that Jacob was conisdered as a passive father. He did not do anything when his only daughter was raped by a neighboring city leader. Also Jacob's oldest son, Rueben, slept with one of Jacob's wives. Jacob was certainly aware of Ruebens' doing yet he refused to act due to his reputation.

The ironic part about this new series is that I am currently in the cast of, "Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat."

This musical was originally written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with the basis of this biblical story.

Currently the Rolling Hills Baptist youth group will be planning a visit to see this play at the conclusion of the Joseph series.

Switching Sides

2012-01-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

In August, I started really following the Presidential race. At the time all of the candidates were still in and they were in full campaign mode. However, many were considered "The Weakest Link."

Now...the Republican Party fixes their eyes on the final four: Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum. The constant bickering between Romney and Gingrich has turned many undecided voters away for good. Might I add that Newt promised to not call out other candidates but rather "Look Ahead."

I have decided to switch my candidate choice from Newt to Mitt Romney. In my opinion, he is the most electable, and moderate conservative the Republican Party has. He has not cheated on his wife (Mr. Newt), and has not closed the door to foreign policy (Mr. Paul).

Strange Encounters: Eddie

2011-07-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

I have recently encountered a man who had it rough. He is one of 12 siblings who were split up at a very young age. This man lived during the Great Depression, and his brothers and sisters all were split up in order to make ends meet. In this true story I tell, this man is called Eddie. He and some other siblings were sent to his grandmother and grandpa's home at a very young age. He eventually met up with his grandparents who he eventually called mom and dad. The rest of his other siblings went to other family members. With all the siblings spread out across the country, they still wanted a way to contact one another. So, this young boy began writing letters to his sister who was currently living in Tennessee. When receiving these letters, he decided that he wanted to meet his sister for the first time. At the age of 16, Eddie decided to "hitch-hike" his way down to Tennessee. While talking to this man, he later told me that he eventually would "hitch-hike" himself down to Florida.

Eddie's journey as a teenager started one day when he was out hanging with his friends. They all were swimming in the local creek, when someone decided to push Eddy into the water. During this incident, Eddie almost died. He was never taught how to swim, so inevitably he began to panic. With his arms and legs wailing, he tried to gulp in as much air as he could into his lungs. However, within moments, Eddie was rushed to the hospital. This event has drastically changed Eddie's fear in many years to come. Today, Eddie is in his 70's and he is still terrified of water.

Eddie recently talked at our church's revival this week. He recalled times in his life of great struggle, but by the grace of God, he persevered. For we are not perfect, not at all, yet God still loves us. Eddie recalled to the congregation, that each day he, "loves to read his bible". He told me that, "one of my biggest prayers, is that I keep my eyesight, so I can read my bible."

In the following weeks to come, I strive to become more like Eddie. For he takes time out of every-single day to read his word. Eddie's mission is to minister to at least one person everyday, and by doing so he says that he is making a small difference in this world.

Country Revival

2011-07-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

I am slowly getting accustomed to the Southern Baptist beliefs and practices. This week, my church is putting on a Revival. Our church's revival is a week long that consists of different preachers, and worship services. The main goal of having a revival, is to try to focus on a change of heart in one's life. A revival is also a time to recognize one's faults and to attempt to fix them for the better.

I began praying for this revival a couple days ago, when I started to realize something of importance. I started thinking as to what would happen if our country began to have it's own revival. This country's revival could be a time for prayer for our Congressmen, and President; so that they might make the right decision. Men and women would show respect to soldiers and veterans, and children would be learn more of their nation's history. (good and bad). This great country of ours needs a day of faith, prayer, and hope. So I ask you America, when will you revive America?

Teens Vs. Government Boundaries

2011-07-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

Teens across the country have heard the rumor that extremely obese teens may potentially be taken away from their families and be put into foster care. Most parents would agree that the government has no right to step in and to take over the parenting role. However, many news reports and talk shows have only talked about the parenting side of this whole issue. They debate over the idea of the government removing the parents. When listening to such shows, I have concluded that they have forgotten about the teenager who will be affected by this decision. This same issue happened with the "Casey Anthony" trial. News reporters started debating the outcome of the case verses why the case took place. It is my hope that people in our society will focus more on the teenager that will be affected by this outcome. Sure, I still think that debating this issue should happen, but for the right reasons. Extremely obese teens should seek help NOT lose their parents. It is immoral to do such an act and is considered wrong to do so. Teenagers, obese or not, should stand up for what is right and they should not allow the government to push them around.

I began taking a different mindset on this topic. I started thinking, "Well, what if the government actually takes away obese teens?" If this were the case, what would the government do next? Would they take away mentally disabled children? I don't know what would happen. The government is trying to expand their boundaries, and their power. This is why all teenagers need to make a difference. We need to step up to the plate and say, "Stop it, this is wrong!"