I am not an interloper!

(In response to http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/02/06/taking_aim_at_the_student_vote/ )

I am not an interloper!

First of all, not all college students are liberals, Mr. William O’Brien. As a junior at University of Massachusetts Amherst, I can attest to the fact that politically diversity stretches far and wide across my campus. This isn’t just my college, this is my new home, and will be my home for as long as I choose to stay here. Sarah Schweitzer articulates the controversial debate on whether New Hampshire college students should have the right to vote based on where they consider “home” to be. They say that home is where the heart is, but home should be a place where one spends the majority of his or her time, feels “at home,” and feels comfortable being part of one’s community.

Another question for House Speaker William O’Brian and bill sponsor Gregory Sorg: how could it be foolish for college students to vote? What a better time to be politically conscious, especially in such a supportive environment where students feed on knowledge and learning opportunities. We are the future, therefore we deserve the right to vote. After new methods of engaging young adults in the voting process, and after having so much success, why turn a whole school of voters away? Towns thrive on local colleges just as much as colleges thrive on their respective towns. This give-and-take relationship should be embraced. Our country boldly fought to extend the right to vote to every citizen regardless of race, class, and gender, providing they are over 18. I believe this to be a crucial foundation blueprint for a democracy. Once we start limiting people’s rights all over again, I foresee troubling times ahead for politically active students and their governmental counterparts.