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Legislating: Civic Involvement
Volume 89, Program 34
5/21/2009
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The election might be over—but the political opportunities never end! Find out how your student can stay civically involved between election campaigns, today on Home School Heartbeat, with HSLDA President Mike Smith and his guest.

Mike Smith:
On our last program, Generation Joshua Director Will Estrada talked about how young people can make a real difference in elections. Once that election is over, Will, how can they stay involved with elected officials and make their voice heard in the political process?

Will Estrada:
That’s a great question, Mike. And I have a great example for our listeners. Several homeschooled high school students in Colorado, just over the last legislative season, realized that the state policy on homeschoolers taking concurrent classes at state colleges was discriminatory. While public school students get these courses paid for by the state, homeschoolers have to pay out of pocket for the same courses.

So a couple of teens took the time to research and draft a bill that was introduced into the state legislature by a representative. Although the bill was voted down in committee, these students had a wonderful chance to participate in the political process.

Now, writing a bill is probably not going to be an option for every student. But contacting your representatives to encourage them to support good legislation and oppose bad legislation is a good idea for every family. Your legislators are supposed to be representing you, the people, in government—so hold them accountable to support liberty and responsibility.

Build good relationships with your representatives on the local and federal levels so that when things come up, you can make your voice heard.

Mike:
Great ideas, Will. That's great to hear about students getting involved in the legislative process. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.


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Generation Joshua is designed to provide civics education and hands-on opportunities for young people ages 11–19. To find out about GenJ and how your student can be involved, request our free brochure by clicking the link above.

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