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Democrat. Republican. Libertarian. Independent.

Do these words ring a bell? What about violence, drug abuse, education, poverty, and the environment? According to youthlink.org, these are the five biggest concerns of today's youth in America. Becoming more acquainted with our politicians and lawmakers can help to alleviate these problems. Becoming an active voter can help eradicate them.

Chances are if you are reading this article, you are one out of the nearly 50 percent of high school graduates in the United States that is moving on to college. That means, along with the new found freedom to refuse a curfew (or at least try), the liberty to sleep in, and the basic human right to choose your own courses, you'll be given the responsibility to choose the country's next leaders.

Starting College in the midst of a presidential election is the perfect time to register to vote and learn about the candidates and platforms they support. After all, choosing a new prez' to live in the White House is a lot more serious than voting for the most popular guy or gal who runs for student office. You are now part of a population that will be instrumental in shaping America's future, and as a result - your own.

What Matters to You?
You will see that as you go through school, the political issues now being discussed will gradually tend to affect you more and more. For instance, education finance is a great concern to college students, especially if you plan to pay your own way, or rely on grants and loans. Who you elect into office can have a major impact on the amount of financial support you may receive from the government, and consequently, whether or not you can afford to keep up your impressive CD collection.

The economy is also an ever-important factor, especially as graduation day looms near. College graduates want to enter into a professional world with a strong job market and robust economy. Choosing a leader who you feel will best stimulate and shape our nation's economy may have a profound effect on your job market in four years.

Do Your "Political Science" Homework
There are many resources out there to help you become better acquainted with the candidates. Govote.com is one of them; in addition to providing information on those in the running for president, the site also covers the congressional candidates and their party affiliations as well. There are also easy-to-understand details about key issues, public advocacy groups, and how to take action on the issues that are important to you - the kind of facts that a 10-minute stint on Letterman or Leno won't reveal.

While there, you can also download a national voter registration form. When it comes to the issue of voter participation, many of you may feel disconnected from the whole political process, as though your vote won't make a difference. Getting involved in a cause on a smaller level, however, or even working for your student government can help to alleviate this disconnection.

As I know from my experiences, hands-on involvement at promoting change or shaping policy is a great way to see that small deeds can create bigger results. The key is active participation. After you have been involved fighting for causes that you believe in, you will feel a connection to them, and a civic duty to vote in support of them.

And, I feel very strongly that if you have the opportunity to travel abroad during or after college, take it. Why? Because it's a sure-fire way to make you realize and appreciate the freedom you enjoy as a United States citizen. You live in a country that grants you the freedom to express your thoughts and choose your leaders. For myself, after seeing the volatile state of Israel and the precarious political situations in Europe, I see the American flag differently now and exercise my right to vote in support of the candidates that I feel uphold the virtues the flag symbolizes.

You have the opportunity to make a change in this world. Whether your concerns are the environment, the economy, poverty, violence, or minority and gay rights, you have the power to help make a difference by choosing leaders that you deem best for the job. Act on it - share your voice and be heard.

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