Action Interview

            I interviewed my roommate, Shay Bryan and she has had many experiences that shaped her political identity. Growing up in a home where her sister went into the navy at 18 was something that molded her political influences because her family and herself always wanted to go with what was best for her sister as far as political standing. Also, now that she is on her own and supporting herself, she has to care more about politics and really be informed because ultimately, it will affect her.

            Shay considers herself an independent because her views are right down the middle. Although she says she votes mostly republican, she doesn’t fully agree with republican views. For example, she thinks the idea of gay marriage is great and that you should be able to marry whomever you want and the government shouldn’t be able to say no. As far as the Democratic Party goes, she does not agree with Obama care. She doesn’t think that people should get living expenses and such for free. If you work hard and support yourself, you still have to pay all your own bills, but Bill down the street just sits around all day and somehow manages to get welfare. She just doesn’t think that makes any sense what so ever.

            For the longest time, I didn’t have any ideas what the big differences between the two parties were but now that I am supporting myself and living on my own, I have to be aware of what’s going on. It’s funny that I interviewed Shay because before, I didn’t know her political feelings, and in fact, I feel the same way she does. I agree with some Republican views and some Democrat views. I think you should be able to have an abortion if you feel its necessary, but NOT have it funded by the government. I think that it’s absolutely ridiculous that people on welfare now can get their cell phone bills paid, I am a full time student and work 2 jobs on top of that, whose paying my cell phone bill? I am. I grew up in a very republican household and I believe a lot of that had to do with the fact that my family is extremely catholic so things like gay marriage and abortion aren’t even a questionable topic. Growing up in my generation however, where things are starting to be a little more acceptable, has swung my vote to the middle. I think whomever I vote for next will just have to have a few qualities that I am looking for because being right down the middle is hard to get exactly what you want in a candidate.

            This experience made me learn that the people you wouldn’t even think had a strong political opinion, more than likely do. Everyone has some sort of political opinion; we just aren’t vocal about it. People vote based on their beliefs, if a Republican party says “I’m going to ban abortion” and that person has had an abortion themselves, chances are they’ll vote democrat. I think certain things that drive voters interest is what the candidate promises. I know that whenever my dad is interested in a candidate, he does some research from his previous office holdings whether its governor, senator, etc. to see how the candidate really followed through on said promises. My political standing hasn’t changed, but doing this interview really made me think deeper into my political persona!

Questions

1.     How did you vote in the last election?

2.     Why did you vote for Mitt Romney? What’d you like about him?

3.     You mentioned there were a few things about Republicans that you didn’t like, anything in particular that you didn’t agree with Romney?

4.     What didn’t you like about Barack Obama?

5.     Do you consider yourself a liberal, conservative, or independent?

6.     What turned you too liberal versus conservative?

7.     Would you ever consider voting for the independent party?

8.     What life experiences have shaped your political opinion?

9.     What key issues are most important to you, when it comes to US Policy?

1. Who will you likely vote for in the future?