Being in Conway during the previous election year was interesting for several reasons, one of which was having the opportunity to see how a college community could get together and rally for its causes. Watching students and organizations take it upon themselves to make fliers and spread the word for their candidates was a refreshing experience.

One thing that always caught me a little off guard was all the backing behind candidate Ron Paul. I consider myself pretty far left socially and, from what I’ve encountered at the University of Central Arkansas, most students seem to be pretty liberal as well. It wasn’t until recently that I learned more about what “libertarian” meant.

My roommate, Kaley Stone, is a member of an organization on campus that I didn’t know existed until a few weeks ago. Young Americans for Liberty has a chapter at UCA and, through Stone, I have met YAL president senior Britney Logan, as well as other members. Once it was explained to me in a graph-like presentation, I could grasp the concepts of libertarianism more easily and I began to understand what the hype was about.

Like I mentioned before, I am quite liberal when it comes to social matters but lack experience and expertise in all things economic. Many YAL members are economics majors, and hearing their perspective really solidified the philosophy.

When it comes to Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, the Green Party and other affiliations, I don’t pledge my allegiance to any party. I feel that it’s much too difficult to do so at my age. I see where the Libertarian Party is coming from in regard to keeping the government out of the economy. I’m not attempting to convert anyone. I’m not fully converted myself but I have been pleased with what I have learned thus far.

I feel that rational human beings should be treated as such and, since I’m already against the government regulating what I do with my body or time, it makes sense that I should not be in favor of the government regulating what I do with my money.

I like to view things from a philosophical perspective, imagining and considering the blanket ideals of something before I look to the practical examples of people carrying out whatever the cause may be.

I find there are a lot of flaws in human nature that can often skew a philosophy into something it never was supposed to necessarily represent in the first place. That is what keeps me from calling myself a Libertarian, Democrat, etc.

I’m not religious but I like to view religion from a philosophical standpoint, as an interesting topic of discussion. And, when I’m not fearing for the rights of my uterus, I feel the same way about politics. I can definitely see the positives in what I have learned so far, and it will take a keener and more extensive immersion into the ideas and practical uses of it all, but I do indeed look forward to it. In my eyes, one should never discount the opportunity to learn about something new.