You're Never Too Young to Learn about Politics
By Bill Maxwell, September 16, 2002
By Bill Maxwell, St. Petersburg Times Editorial Writer and Columnist
and Role Models Today Online Publication Publisher/Founder

In November, Florida residents will elect a new governor and lieutenant governor. Do you know names of the candidates? We also will elect members of the Cabinet. Do you know who the candidates are? Can you identify those running, for example, for commissioner of agriculture? What about attorney general and chief financial officer?

The point is that Florida students should get involved in politics as soon as possible. In fact, you're never too young to learn about the elected - and unelected - officials who govern our lives in so many direct and indirect ways.

Good citizenship is the bedrock of a democratic society, and for a democracy to work effectively, the bulk of its citizens must be well-informed. Each community, city and state are established to solve problems, to the best interest of citizens. But for them to solve problems, officials need the public's help, residents who understand the issues, who attend meetings, who inform themselves and, of course, who write letters.

Politicians, for the most part, don't like getting mail from angry voters. But they read them. And they read every letter. So, why not make this the year that you write a politician in your town, letting him or her know what's on your mind. This is one of the best ways to start informing yourself about the people who make decisions that decide much of your fate.

A good place to start, by the way, would be a letter to the school superintendent. Tell this official about what you like and dislike about your school. Get started today.

To learn more about who is running in November visit Elections Online.

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