I think that due to the Bush Administration's implementation of -ahem- objectionable actions (like the war

in Iraq), many people have, unfortunately, become extremely apathetic towards all branches of the American

government. The American public has seen that the ideology of our Constitution has not been consistently

translated into action throughout history; some Presidents, like Abe Lincoln, have done a lot to be socially

responsible (like extending the ideal of "liberty and justice" to all races in America) while others, like

our current President, George W. Bush,have not really practiced social responsiblity (excluding the US from

the Kyoto Protocol and muscling our troops into foreign countries.) Due to our observance of these

inconsistensies, we have learned to scoff at all the policy-makers, accusing them of benefiting themselves

only, but I think if politicians show that they are trying to be socially responsible, or benefitting the

common good, then the public will appreciate them more.

that'd be cool, it'd take lots of work. We'll have every kid rule for a day or something and trade shifts. Deal? just kidding, we need to get involved. Know who's running for office and learn what to look ahead for when you do have the chance to vote!!!!!!

i think i could do all ofnothing, im only ten...but together...we could run for president, and win

you mean politics? (im 16)

I agree. I'm 14 and I know more than my parents do about polotics. let's go!

I agree with La Random. CONGRATS on the position in Alpha!!!!!!!! Being 15 in Arkansas I'd say teens and even tweens can really get involved in politics here. We just had our recent election here for school board members and all that. Most of us don't even know the candidates name and what they're standing for. If kids can make their voice heard loud enough, we can get our parents start thinking as well rather than the usual "teen getting influenced by the parent". Let's switch it and make the world think about what we have to say. We live here too, we just need to be loud enough so they can hear us!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, my name is Michelle and I think Teens would be able to make a huge impact if we could vote, for instance, in my school we take classes in school like "American government" and "PDP" (presant day problems). In these classes we keep track of what's going on in the government, think about what could or should be changed, and follow politics. My parents, on the other hand, watch the news during the elections without any past knowledge about politicts, yet the vote is in their hands and not ours. Who decides that we're unable to make honest choices about our country's next president?

What makes you think that the percentage of teens who will vote a vertain way is significantly different from the percentage of adults who would vote that way? The cake slices the same way; I've heard that the largest influence on a child's political standpoint is his/her parents.

if kids under 21 were able to vote, we could really have a strong impact on society, and we can really make a difference. Just because we were born later doesnt mean we dont understand the issues in the world:XI

I am 12 and I don't think that i could do much in my community. The most I could do is write a letter and give it to one of the music teachers and then have her give it to the school department and tell that why they shouldn't get rid of our after school programs and the 3rd music teachers job.

Hi my name is Nancy. I am 15 years old and I am from the state of California. I think that the best way we can change politics in a more positive way is to get informed and be invovled in the things that are going on. i think we have moved foward showing that we are here and that we do have a voice during the demostrations that have occured these past 2-3 months. I want to congratulate u for getting to where u are now and suggest that you think for yourself in an a critical way and not just get walked over.
-La random

I'm 17. In terms of actual power - not much. I don't think I'd be comfortable, looking back a few years from now, with me having any power anyway. Hehehe. Best I can do is spread my opinion, and try to keep people's facts straight. Once I hit college age, once I'm able to vote and all that - well, I might even have a few one-on-one talks with Senators. (I'm gonna have to if I want to get into West Point). How did you become a councilman? What are your duties? How much of a time commitment is it?

I don't think what Alex meant was 'what would you do if you were the president'. Because, we're teenagers, and although we have potential to be -future- presidents, it'll be quite some time, and this isn't a fantasy-question, asking us to try on the president's clothes and do it the way we would if we could.

Personally, I'm not as interested in politics as a vessel to change. However, I think the most important thing is to get my generation to look at everything with a different perspective. Because the constant insulting of the government, and 'No-one-gets-us' additude is seriously not helping anyone. I think we have to first know what we're about before we can actually -do- anything.
-Katie

How I would change politics sould be that I would Take the troops out of Irag because you are hurting a lot of people by making men and wemon go out there. Then i would make it to where the people have a bit more say in things that are going on and right now the government seems like they want to be on top of it all but how can we be responsible for ourselves when the governmet takes all control and punishes people when god supposed to!!!!!!!!!!!

HEY FRIEND HOW HAVE U BEEN IT'S MARCELLE DNT NO IF U DNT REMEMBER ME, MEMBER I TOLD U NOT TO FORGET ME???? LOL UM... GIVEN MY AGE (15) I REALLY FEEL THAT PEOPLE MY AGE CAN MAKE A DIFFERNCE JUS BECAUSE WE ACTIVE, OUTGOING AND WILLING TO DO NEW THINGS BUT ALSO WE CANT DO MUCH BECAUSE ADULTS FEEL THT WE ARE YOUNG AND DNT NO WAT WE ARE DOIN. NOW MY QUESTION TO YOU IS IF A FEMALE WULD RUN FOR MAYOR/COUNCILMAN WOULD SHE HAVE THE SAME CHANCE AS A MALE RUNNING FOR MAYOR/COUNCILMAN?(OR IS IT BEING A MALE HAVE MORE ADVANTAGES?)

This is not what we are tring to chage we arer etrying to change the government and the president because they are really messing up our world.