On Tuesday, March 2, the people of Minnesota get the awesome chance to get involved with a political party with our precinct caucuses. All across the state, the "average Joes" come together to prepare for the 2004 election and express their thoughts on the direction their respective party is heading. When it comes to politics in Minnesota, it all starts here.I’m writing today to encourage every reader to attend their precinct caucuses, with a special encouragement for young people. It’s been said for years, "the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow." Discouragingly, teenagers have little or no interest in getting involved with elections or political parties. Some of the reasons for this apathy stem from lack of understanding of the political process, and the feeling that all politicians are corrupt. By attending the precinct caucuses, you will get a deeper understanding for the process leading up to Election Day, and also a chance to "clean up" your party. If you want to get politically active to make society a greater place, this is the place to start.Even if you are not yet old enough to vote, there is no excuse not to be active in the process. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved besides entering a voting booth, especially in Rock County, where there is an organization specifically for teens, the Teen Age Republicans.The 2004 election will be here and gone before we know it. Unless "the people" get involved, our government cannot truly be "of the people, for the people, and by the people." Help make our democracy stronger; attend your precinct caucus!For Republicans of Rock County, that means going to the Blue Mound Banquet Center at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2. For Democrats, it’s the Luverne Elementary School Commons. Currently, the Independents and Greens have no caucusing in Rock County.See you at the caucus!Joe SchomackerChairman, Luverne Teen Age RepublicansDeputy Chair, Minnesota Teen Age Republicans
