Compared to last year’s increased interest in national politics due to the 2012 presidential election, 2013 may seem a little underwhelming.
Regardless of the level of student interest in American government, the political groups at KSU are up and running and are welcoming new members. While more and more voters seem to be either undecided or on the fence concerning their personal political beliefs, the three political parties represented
at KSU are the Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians. While these labels may bring certain stereotypes to mind, an individual’s own perspective as to why they lean a certain way is a key factor in determining how that person may vote.
Michael Zeman, president of the College Libertarians of KSU, explained the difference between Libertarian (capital L) and libertarian (lowercase l).
“The majority of the club members do not associate with the Libertarian Party, and some are even registered Democrats and Republicans,” said Zeman, a junior pursuing an MBA. “To me, being a libertarian means a love of individual liberty and economic liberty.”
CLOKSU meets Monday evenings at 7 p.m. behind PJ’s Coffee, but the group is currently seeking a meeting place in the Social Sciences Building.
Donny Fritz is the current chairman of KSU’s College Republicans. He said his personal viewpoints involve “less government” and “[no] big tax burden[s]”.
Fritz said that while current leadership has good intentions, “They’re just not doing a good job.”
In describing what might bring more young leadership to the Republicans, Fritz, who is a senior majoring in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations, said, “They are seeing through the message of hope and change and are starting to think for themselves.”
The Republicans meet every other Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Social Sciences Building.
Jordan Sartin is the president of the Young Democrats. Sartin describes himself as a progressive, a movement that was popularized in the 20th Century by Theodore Roosevelt and later Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He said the modern Democratic Party more closely aligns with what he believes.
“I do not believe individuals should be defined by their political parties,” said Sartin, a senior studying American History and Culture.“They should instead seek to make the party be a reflection of themselves.”
Sartin said the nation’s lack of confidence in elected officials stems from the fact that candidates “are more loyal to the donors who fund them rather than individuals who elect them.”
The Young Democrats meet every other Tuesday night in the English Building Room 072 and will host a Healthcare Issues Summit set for Sept. 26.
