Giving Power Back to the People

       I met Kate Maxwell at the Carytown Watermelon Festival earlier this month. The Watermelon Festival is an event in Richmond where vendors line the streets of Carytown and we all celebrate you guessed it watermelon. But, Maxwell wasn’t there just enjoying the festivities. I found her passing out stickers and banners in support of the Republican Party.  This all seems to come natural to her. As a child Maxwell’s parents were very involved in politics and she often found herself at several Republican volunteer events. In the footsteps of her parents, Maxwell ran as an At Large delegate. She was elected by the Republican Party of Virginia State Conventions. A self proclaimed history nerd and lover of politics Maxwell is more about participating in the convention.

        Contrary to popular belief, Maxwell says that Republicans do care about the people. They are not a party of tax breaks for the rich or corporate interest, but a party that cares about giving power back to the people. While Democrats believe it’s the government’s duty to fix problems, Republicans believe that the power lies in the hands of the individuals.

       “Think about it: can you name a single government program that has been really successful and efficient? Social security?  Anti-poverty programs?  Disaster relief? Republicans want to find innovative solutions instead of throwing tax money at problems. We encourage competition and make healthcare cheaper instead of having the government take over.”

           Maxwell is a true testament to the renewed interest in politics among the youth.  She is aware of the issues, highly involved in the political process, and understands what this election means to her peers. As one of the youngest Republican delegates for Virginia, 20-year-old Maxwell will cast her vote for the presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention in September. She says students are paying closer attention to politics because this election is important to their future.

         “I think students do pay attention and we care about the same issues. We want lower gas prices, we want a strong economy so that we have a strong job market when we graduate, we want to make our own decisions about spending our paychecks, and saving for the future. We want to preserve our freedom and our country’s safety.”

          With so much at stake this election, Maxwell believes the only candidate strong enough to head the country in the right direction is John McCain. 

           “McCain has been around long enough to know how to get things done. Obama talks a lot about change, but he hasn’t given any clear plans for what he wants to accomplish or how to bring about change. He has changed his mind on his position on Iraq, off shore drilling, illegal immigration, and gun control. For me this shows Obama isn’t sure of a whole lot except that he wants to be elected in November.”

   While Obama has spent more time campaigning in Virginia than McCain, Maxwell is certain that Virginians will stick with their tradition of voting for a Republican president this fall.

           “We haven’t voted for a Democratic president since 1964 and I don’t think we’re going to start now.  Overall I think Virginia is a conservative state even under Democratic leaders, we are low tax and a pro-business state. I think Virginians are going to support John McCain because he has strong positions on the economy, lowering gas prices, and making sure we get out of Iraq without compromising the success of the mission or endangering the Iraqi people and our soldiers.”                 

           Maxwell hopes to continue that legacy in September by casting her vote for John McCain; a moment that she’s been waiting for her whole life. Before most kids understood presidential elections or democracy for that matter Maxwell watched the Republican National Convention with parents in awe of all the excitement.

“I remember watching the conventions on television and thinking how much I would love to go. When I was watching the 2004 convention, I was so excited just to be able to vote in the next presidential election. I never thought I would be nominating the next presidential candidate, says Maxwell.”