10 Things We Should Know Before Voting

With the end of a presidential term in the near future it is yet again time to elect another. Everyone will pretend to know the issues and we will vow that “This time it will be different,” and everything wrong in our country will be fixed as long as our candidate gets elected. The problem is we don’t know everything that’s the wrong and many of us don’t know much beyond our personal beliefs to make an informed decision. I admit that I don’t know all the issues or the candidate’s stances, I don’t think anyone does. Here are 10 things we should understand better before voting.

1.       What Is The Purpose Of a Political Party?

Most of us could say that we are Republican, Democratic, Independent, or another political party, but what does that mean? Well each political party has its own beliefs and their goals are to influence our government to conform to those policies. People join these parties to be among people who share their opinions and to help influence local, state, and government politics towards their side.

What We Actually understand: “My party is right! Obviously you’re misinformed! Let me yell at you until your understand!”

2.       What does the president actually do?

Ok so we all know the president is the guy “in charge” and supposedly the leader of the free world, but what does that mean? The president is the commander in chief of the US armed forces and he’s responsible for military strategy.  However, that is about as far as it goes with congress controlling military spending and regulation.

The president also is in charge of foreign policy, which means that he is responsible for the protection of foreigners in our country and us in foreign countries. He also negotiates treaties with other nations (that must be approved by 2/3 senate).

In the legislative aspect the president must pass any bill Congress has presented before it becomes a law, however congress can veto this by an overriding vote of 2/3. Judicially the president is allowed to nominate federal judges, but these require senate confirmation.

Ultimately the president does have the power to grant pardons and is allowed to withhold state secrets from legal proceedings if they were to harm national security.

What We Actually Know: “Everything wrong with this country happened in the last presidential term and it’s all his fault!” (Repeat phrase every election year).

3.       What does the vice president do?

Ok, so the president does have some pretty cool powers. Those must extend to the vice president too right? Wrong. The vice president has many ceremonial roles but other than that he mostly just wanders around the White House looking for stuff to do. Ok so that’s not true, but his only constitutionally prescribed rule other than becoming president should the current one keel over is as president of the senate. I know you’re saying “What the heck that’s a big deal!” Well it is, but he’s only allowed to vote if there’s a tie. Other than that he can preside over daily activities in the senate, but usually selects a president pro tempore who does it for him. In fact the vice president is not assigned to the executive, legislative, or judicial branch. But, hey he can preside over impeachment trials of federal officer (except the president).

What We Actually Know: “Who the heck is the vice president, darn it, I knew his name like ten minutes ago too.”

4.       What’s the Electoral College (and how do I apply)?

It’s the 538 people who officially elect the president. The president cannot win the presidency if he doesn’t have the majority vote for the Electoral College. Each state is assigned representatives based on population and they vote for their state.

What we actually know:

“I don’t like that electoral college thing-y, it’s really hard to get into, I can’t even find where to apply.”

5.       Why do they have the Democratic National Convention?

Technically the DNC is to officially nominate the party’s choice for presidential candidate. This happens, but overall much of the convention is to unify the party and promote their stance on issues. Historically there have also been mid-term conventions during the middle of a presidential term to rally the party and keep them faithful when support waned.

What We Actually Know:

“I’m pretty sure the president went to that right? He’s a democrat from what I’m told.”

6.       Why do they have the republican national convention?

For the same reasons the democrats have theirs, except there have not been mid-term conventions. The RNC also serves to adopt the party platform and rules for the current election cycle. There have also been protests at the RNC (as well as the DNC) in which protestors of the opposing party were regulated to “free speech zones” and were not accessible to delegates.

What we actually know:

“Clint Eastwood totally talked to an empty chair at that thing, I know because I saw the meme.”

7.       What does voting “no” or “yes” on the marriage amendment mean?

The marriage amendment in Minnesota is NOT going to make same-sex marriage legal in Minnesota no matter the outcome. The amendment in question, if approved, will put an amendment in Minnesota’s constitution not allowing same-sex couples to ever marry in the state if it were to be proposed as a law or if it became a national law. Voting yes means that you support not allowing same-sex marriage in the future. Voting no on the amendment means that you either support same-sex marriage now or support it becoming a possibility in the future.

What we actually know:

“Vote yes: Marriage is one man, one woman. Vote no: don’t limit the freedom to marry. Repeat this, but scream them in your head for full effect.

8.       Why do we have presidential debates?

Presidential debates are meant to make a candidates stance on issues more clear and to create hype for the election and the sponsors of the debate. The debate’s rules are that candidates have 2 minutes to answer a question and the other candidate will be allowed a one minute rebuttal. The moderator is allowed to add 30 seconds to either at their discretion. There are 3 debates between the presidential candidates and 1 debate between the vice presidential candidates. The debates are important to the campaign of the candidate in shaping the image they want to present come election time, especially the image of the vice president and president as a team. They are also a vehicle for the media to drive traffic to their websites or shows.

What we actually know: “Remember when Tina Fey ran as vice president and they aired the debate on SNL, man was she stupid, I mean it’s like she was acting. Oh, wait, that was just the SNL version?”

9.       What are red states and blue states?

Red and Blue states were only introduced in 2000 and are merely a way for the country to see which states generally vote for which party. Red states have a history of voting republican or conservative, blue states have a history of voting democratic or liberally. Purple states are called “swing states” and have strong support for both parties.

What we actually know: “I keep seeing these colored maps of the country. I think it means which states have warm and cool weather.”

10.   Where do the political parties stand on some of the main issues?

The Republican Party does not support same-sex marriage and believes that taxes for interest, dividends, and capital gains should be eliminated for lower and middle class taxpayers. As for healthcare the republican party has this to say on their official website;  “We likewise support the right of parents to consent to medical treatment for their children, including mental health treatment, drug treatment, and treatment involving pregnancy, contraceptives and abortion.” The Democratic Party supports repealing the defense of marriage act and supports equal rights for LGBT couples. The Democratic Party also supports reproductive rights for women and providing tax cuts to small businesses.

What we actually know:

“I have no idea what the official stance is, but your party is WRONG!”

10 Things to know about driving your instructor won't tell you

1.       Cars are expensive.

I know what you’re all thinking; “Wow, really, tell me something I didn’t know.” I know that you know cars are expensive, but until you have your own, you have no idea. Sure, we all know how much gas costs, but c’mon, it’s not that bad right? Check back with me when you’ve filled up your car for the first time and tell me you didn’t feel like going out and drilling for your own gas to cut costs. Gas itself isn’t the only thing though, that would be somewhat manageable it’s also other expenses you had no idea you’d be paying. A month after I got my car I looked at my tire and realized it was losing air. Alright, worst case scenario, I thought, was replacing a tire. I got my car back a week later with two new wheel bearings and a bill for $600. I was right about that tire though, that was $25.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us: 

“Insurance will be expensive, your parents will probably be stuck paying for it, but you should totally help with that and stuff, back to watching car crash videos!”

 2.       Any close call you have will be presumed your fault

Recently I was driving in the Albertville mall parking lot on the small road that connects the lots. As  the car in the lane next to me turned right I continued down the road past the small lot. A woman who apparently was late to remedial driving lessons pulled straight out from said parking lot and almost crashed into me. This particular incident would not have been my fault had she hit me, but when I told people I got a certain look. The one that says “Uh huh, a sixty year old lady almost hit you, I bet you’re also an Olympic gymnast.” Well I’ll have you know that both of those are true*, but there is a stigma to teen drivers that says we’re all texting and driving so naturally it’s our fault. Sometimes it is your fault. I’m not going to say I’ve never made mistakes, but after waiting longer than a lot of my peers to get my license I would like to think that the extra time made me an even more competent driver, or at the very least more aware of my surroundings.

*Rachel is not an Olympic gymnast; she just likes to think she could be.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us: 

“If you get in a car crash it’s probably your fault, that’s why I’m here to show you gory videos of them.”

3.       You will Feel Liberated (and a bit scared)

The day you get your license you will, without a doubt, tell your parents to hit the ground running as you speed away. After you make sure your parents don’t have road rash and are out of sight, you will panic a little. I almost guarantee it. I didn’t outwardly panic, but in my head I felt like I was breaking the law. This has nothing to do with your skill as a driver, everybody feels nervous the first time they drive alone.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us: 

 "Once you’re ready, you’ll be a great driver, but don’t get in a car crash, because trust me, they’re scary, and gory, let me demonstrate.”

4.       Be Prepared to Do all The shopping, all the time.

This pretty much needs no explanation, once your parents realize they don’t have to change out of their bathrobe to go to the store you will be going for them.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us: 

“Don’t get into a car crash on the home from the store, it will be gory and there will be wasted groceries everywhere!”

5.       You will think everyone but you is a terrible driver

We’ve all seen people do stupid things while they were driving, the other day I saw a woman holding her dog out the window while turning a corner, but when you start driving by yourself you will notice this more than ever. In the short time that I’ve been driving 90% of days when I come home I have a “You won’t believe what this idiot did” story. At first I just thought that all terrible drivers started driving when I was on the roads (it’s a conspiracy I tell you!) then I realized that sounded a wee bit crazy. Then as the road rage lessened and clear headedness prevailed I realized that I just never noticed this when other people driving, at least not as much. But trust me, you will think the same thing.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us: 

“Terrible drivers cause car crashes, don’t be one!”

6.       There Are Distractions Other Than Texting

We’ve all been told not to text because as teenagers we obviously have to get our LOLs to our friends, even if we’re driving. There are other things out there that are going to distract you though. By the time you get really comfortable driving and it doesn’t feel like you need to pay as much attention (you DO) the multitasking part of your brain kicks in. This is what mine says when I’m driving (I have not done these things, just thought about it); “Hey, this CD is boring, you should change it, now. Oh there’s a spot on your glasses, you should get that. Oh! MacDonald’s, eat it. Now.” Don’t listen to this part of your brain while you drive, no matter how good of a driver you are, multitasking and driving don’t mix.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us: 

“Don’t text and drive or you’ll cause a crash and probably lose your arm!”

7.       You Will Suddenly Become concerned with gas mileage and things you never knew existed

We’re all aware of gas mileage before we start driving, but when you start by yourself you may or may not develop a slight obsession with checking yours. Each tank of gas you get will make you want to calculate the mileage, and you will be frustrated if it’s not great. You will also become concerned with your wheel bearings, oil changes, and other things you didn’t have to think much about before driving. I didn’t even know I had wheel bearings before I needed them replaced. Welcome to adulthood.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us:

 “You better be on top of this stuff or you’ll get in a car crash, I’m sure there’s a way gas mileage contributes to accidents, let me find an obscure statistic for you!”

8.       You will develop embarrassing habits in the comfort of your car

This is something you only realize when someone else is in your car. I didn’t realize how much I comment on other drivers sarcastically or how badly I sing until someone else was in the car with me, and then I realized how weird I truly am. You will have awkward moments when giving someone a ride when you realize that you are singing very loudly to an embarrassing pop song that you don’t even like. Be prepared, it will happen.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us:

 “If you give someone a ride, you’ll get distracted and crash. You should probably wait until you’re thirty to drive with passengers.”

9.       Being a passenger will become weird

The more you drive yourself the more you get used to your own driving and habits (hopefully good ones). This can make you a horrible back seat driver when you go places with your parents driving or your friends. You will start to notice other people’s bad habits and want to be critical, but remember, they could probably say some things about your driving too.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us: 

“Too many teenagers in a car is a just a car crash recipe. You should all sit quietly and never speak to the driver or else you will end up like crash test dummies.”

10.   You will start to think of driving as a daily task, not as something serious

What I mean by this is that once you are comfortable driving alone it becomes one of those things you “just do,” like brushing your teeth. You will start to feel like you’re paying less attention to the minute things you noticed before. You have to start thinking of it more seriously than that, the consequences if you don’t pay as much attention as you should are much worse than getting toothpaste on your shirt. Think of each driving experience as a fresh start, not just the 3^rd time you’ve gone out today. Remember that there will always be kids on bikes and people who tailgate and you need to pay as much attention to them as you did when you first got your license.

What Driver’s Ed Taught Us:

 “Brushing your teeth while driving is definitely a car crash waiting to happen. Can you imagine explaining that in your insurance statement? Don’t do it or you will have a very awkward police report, and higher insurance.”

10 things I learned this summer that weren't in the textbooks

It’s that time again and as we all pile into classrooms and learn lessons deemed important by teachers, but don’t seem important there are other lessons going on in the background that are just as important. This summer I learned some of those lessons, lessons that, as great as our school is, were something I had to experience firsthand. Here they are as best as I can explain them for your future reference.

1.       The real world is expensive

This summer I got my driver’s license (finally) which many of you already have, but there are indirect consequences to going places alone. Before I start this, I want you to know that I’m not talking about paying for gas, we all know how expensive that is. I’m not talking about car expenses either, as shocking as they can be, we all know that cars cost money. I’m talking about that first day that your parents send you to the store to pick things up for them and you come home feeling the need to apologize for eating so much $5 a carton ice cream as a kid. I have always tried to be aware of how much things cost to try to somewhat prepare myself for when I move out, but a Target receipt for $80 is one thing when your mom pays it. When you pay it, even with the money your parents sent you with, it becomes a wake up call. Suddenly instead of thinking about how much you wanted those cupcakes your mom said no to you’re thinking “I swear I only bought like 3 things, and 2 of them were toilet paper! The math here has to be wrong!”

2.       People will judge you no matter what

Again, this is going to sound pretty obvious, but sometimes judgment from other people can come when you least expect it. Another somewhat unexpected downside to becoming a new teenage driver is that we have a reputation of being unsafe. Everyone knows it, everyone talks about it, and no matter how good (or bad) of a driver you are, you will be presumed as some semblance of reckless behind the wheel. Now I’m not saying I’m a perfect driver, or that I’m a better driver than other teenagers or experienced drivers, but when I was almost t-boned on a small road by an older woman coming out of a parking lot who didn’t look, I got a lot of looks when I told the story. And by looks I mean the “Yea, I’m sure a sixty year old woman would pull out into traffic and almost hit a seventeen year old,” look. The one that says I had to be doing something wrong too, it couldn’t have been entirely an experienced driver’s fault had she hit me.

3.       Sometimes your “Time Away” is less relaxing than your life

A lot of people think of vacation as this mystical relaxing retreat like the commercials on tv that show smiling people frolicking on the beach forgetting that they have bills to pay. That’s great, but the truth is, vacations take as much work as day to day life. I love going new places just as much as the next person, but that also requires some *gasp* homework. When you go on vacation you all have to decide what you want to see and where you want to go and a schedule that works for everyone, and if you’re going with friends this can get stressful. Pretty soon you end up coming home from a great vacation that you planned on spending tanning on a beach needing another one. What I’m trying to say is that, sometimes the best vacation is taking a few days off at home if what you’re going for is relaxation.

 4.       Busy is better (sometimes)

I know a lot of you were looking forward to sitting home all day and playing video games or whatnot when summer came around, and I was too, believe me. We’d all had enough of deadlines and “the man” telling us what to do and it was finally our time to spend how we pleased. Summer, at the end of the school year, means being sedentary for three months until you are dragged out of bed by your mother on the first day of school, shocked and unprepared. Except sometimes being sedentary for three months isn’t the best idea. This summer I found myself busier than any other summer yet, and while I didn’t expect it, I’m glad that I had something to do with myself. I love sitting at home on the computer just as much as your next tech addicted seventeen year old, but it felt good to get out of the house and be busy, even with things that were fun. Scheduling times to be with friends and go places made it much easier for me to enjoy my time and feel like I wasn’t wasting three months of my life. Plus, I still took days off to watch tv and eat junk food (because, really, would it be summer without that?)

 5.       Family  includes friends too

As an angsty teenager I would like to take a moment to speak on behalf of all the other angsty teenagers and say that “Parents are so not fair!” Ok, actually I think my parents are pretty fair, and I’m lucky to have them as my family, but sometimes family isn’t what you’d expect. We all have different families that we are related to by blood, but this summer I learned that the people who are related by blood doesn’t make them automatically someone you consider family. For me family means people that love you for your flaws and your strengths and will put your needs above theirs when need be. That is absolutely something blood relatives do, but sometimes your friends do it too. I learned that family doesn’t have to mean the people who you were stuck with at birth, I learned that you have the power to choose (some) of your family as well.

6.       You will turn into your parents (and it’s not always bad)

The other day I came home from work, got the groceries, and got the mail on my way in the house. My mom opened the door and said “Look, you’re turning into me!” I promptly screamed, ran away, and then tried to figure out how not to be my mother. Then I thought about it and realized that as much as I didn’t want to be my mother, it wasn’t a bad thing. By being like my mother it meant I was being responsible and helping my family. As corny as that sounds, I promise, becoming like your parents (the good habits), you’re doing a good thing.

7.       Sometimes you don’t even realize your life has changed

Ok, so by writing this, obviously I am acknowledging that my life has changed, but what I mean here is that sometimes there are things in our lives that change gradually or aren’t a big deal at the time, but end up changing us. This summer when I left school I thought it would be just like any other summer, hang out with friends, work a little, watch TV. For the most part this was true, but now that I look back, I realize how much my life changed in a few months. I got my driver’s license, started working part time, and started preparing to go to community college as a PSEO student. Last summer at this time I was getting ready to be an upper classmen and take a college course. Now I am a college/high school student going to school, working, and participating in activities I didn’t even know about until last year and I still couldn’t tell you when it all changed, it just sort of happened.

8.       You’re more in control of your life than you think you are

So as teenagers we are supposed to think that our parents hate us and just “don’t get it,” like every generation before us. We assume that they are out to ruin our social lives and want us to stay home and not be independent. Well, that’s not completely true. Think about it, if you drive, have a car, have a job, a relationship, friends, you’re pretty independent. Now, we still have to financially rely on our parents, and yes, we live with them, but if you’re lucky enough to have the things I just mentioned, you’re more independent than you think you are.

9.       We need school more than we think

The second school gets out at the end of the year we all run away and hope by some miracle we never have to come back. By the end of August though, things start to get less crazy and more boring. We start running out of things to do, or time to do them; sitting around all day is boring. If you have a job then you may be sick of the daily grind or working more than usual. Truth be told, being in school is really good for us. I’m not saying that we should love everything about it, but being out of the house and doing something is so much better for you than sitting on the couch watching that one episode of Friends, again.

10.   You really don’t need the quadratic formula to survive

Ok, so right after I get done telling you how we need to be in school I’m going to say that you don’t need everything you learn in school. I know, it sounds like a contradiction, but it’s not. Being in school teaches you much more than history, math, and English. We learn social skills, how to interact with people in positions above us, and what we’re interested in. That being said, to have a productive life and get a decent job you don’t have to have the quadratic formula memorized. You’re going to need your people skills and the skills you used learning that quadratic formula much more. But for now, remember it for your math teacher.