Julie_R

I believe that I don't know as much about democracy as I should. I think that the successful democratic citizen needs to take an active role in their community. They need to get involved, and know what is going on. They need to participate. Although I don't do anything to hurt the community, and I obey all the laws, I personally don't think I do enough to improve it and be involved. I've never attended a town council meeting, nor organized a plan to change something which needs to be improved. I don't think I know enough about what is going on in my own community, like who’s on the school committee, and what they're up to. Or what the Rhode Island senator is planning. I think that if I were to be more aware of what is going on, I would be able to do more. I can say, however, that I volunteer every once in a while. I like to think that volunteering is an excellent way to improve the community, and that every little thing you do counts. A few times a year, I’ll volunteer at my church. I’ll do things like help the kids there, or help with events. I think that a good democratic citizen should volunteer in their community, in places such as schools, or churches. That is part of taking an active role, and it’s something that everyone, for the most part, can do. I admit that I don’t know a whole lot about democracy and all around politics. However, I believe I am not alone when I say that. I’m talking, for the most part, about people my age. Although adults need to be informed when voting and being community members, people my age are the people who matter now. Soon, in fact by next election, our thoughts and opinions will matter. We will be the people who vote for president, senators, and school committees. This is why I believe that it is vital that my age group is informed. Good citizens now should teach their children, the next generation, about what is going on. I also think a class like this is a good opportunity for us to get that information. Every school should have mandatory classes like this, where kids can learn how to vote, and how to improve the place they live. I hope that through this class, I will fully understand what it truly means to be a good democratic citizen.