College Students Say Big Government Sucks!
When many us think of today’s college students, we often imagine a bunch of dreamy-eyed kids living in a bubble with mommy and daddy paying for everything. We tend to think of college campuses full of naïve, bleeding-heart Liberals, and the breeding ground for socialism (which indeed, is often the case). When we think of college campuses these days, we certainly don’t envision students speaking out against BIG government and standing up for free markets. Yet, many actually are.
Coastal Carolina University freshman, Tyler Smith, told PolitiChicks, “The bigger the government, the more it infringes on our liberties.”
Just wow…there’s hope for this country after all!
PolitiChicks also recently interviewed Lauren Cooley, a recent Furman University graduate, outspoken Conservative activist, and FL Field Coordinator at Turning Point USA. Cooley was also a guest speaker at the highly publicized South Carolina Tea Party Convention this past January. Cooley told PolitiChicks about her organization:
“Turning Point USA is a grassroots organization that is creating a network of high school and college students that believe in free markets and limited government. Because most college campuses are so left-leaning, Turning Point USA is often the only Conservative voice on a campus.”
Yet, its voice is beginning to resonate across campuses nationwide.
According to Cooley, “Turning Point USA is currently in all 50 states and on over 750+ high school and college campuses. The organization is constantly looking to expand its reach by working with existing groups through our Free Market Alliance, by finding new students to join its activist network, and by rapidly expanding its field staff. Turning Point USA is modeling the successful tactics of the left for the beliefs of the right.”
Cooley also told PolitiChicks:
“Our number one focus is creating Conservative dialogue on campus. We do this through tabling, hosting events, and planning protests when appropriate. Every day, Monday through Friday, you can find our field staff on campuses across the nation, engaging students in conversation about the benefits of capitalism and limited government.
We do this, primarily through the slogan, “Big Government Sucks!”
Here’s a video of their very successful “Big Government Sucks!” campaign:
Cooley says, “As our footprint in a region grows, we deploy our students to do the exact same. It’s really exciting when you think about it.”
If President Obama can use unique forums like the self-dubbed YouTube queen, GloZell Green, to plug his message to young Americans, why shouldn’t Conservatives? And what better way to reach our youth than on high school and college campuses?
Cooley says students are actually very receptive to her group’s message of free markets and fiscal responsibility.
“College students, and all millennials for that matter, are known as the most compassionate generation,” she says. “When you explain that free markets and capitalism are the best way to cure the ills of society – such as poverty and corruption – the message resonates loud and clear! As for fiscal responsibility, it’s a no-brainer.” Cooley added,
“College students have the common sense to understand that spending more money than you take in isn’t sustainable. The real opposition comes from professors and administration. They often try to enforce unconstitutional free speech zones or put up hurdles that more left-leaning groups would never have to deal with.”
She also said that it helps to convey a message that makes it personal to students:
“It’s all about talking to students on their terms. They aren’t looking at the world from the perspective of a business owner. They aren’t looking at the world from the perspective of someone who’s middle aged. At the same time, young people can sense insincerity or when they’re being talked down to. We’re a snap chat, Twitter, Netflix generation, which means we are used to multitasking ample amounts of information in short amounts of time. It also means that we’ve reaped the benefits of free market capitalism like no generation has before.”
When it comes to recruitment, Cooley stated:
“We want to take students who already believe in free market principles and turn them into the most effective activists they can be. On the other hand, we realize there are tons of students who believe in free market values but don’t even know what to call their belief. We want to help them identify and understand their political views. Then, there are students who have never heard someone talk about capitalism in a positive light. For them, we’re the missionaries, preaching the good gospel of capitalism!”
She added:
“We serve many purposes in higher-ed grassroots and want to partner with anyone who wants to engage youth for free market values. We have a columnist program which gives a voice and platform to our students, we send free, field-tested activism materials to those who request it, and we have young and energetic speakers who are willing to speak to groups across the nation. In addition, Turning Point USA has several produced-in-house publications, such as How to Debate Your Teacher (And Win!), Capitalism Cures, and Indoctrination Prevention: 10 Ways College Professors Indoctrinate America’s Youth and How to Prevent It. We are willing to send these booklets to anyone who requests them. This is just a sampling of what we are doing in the conservative movement, and you can find out more at TurningPointUSA.net.
“We are constantly looking to work with others and bring them into the fold of Turning Point USA.”
One of the victories Cooley herself, was actually able to accomplish as a Conservative college student–was to help stop a program at a nearby university called, How to Be a Lesbian in 10 Days or Less. She explained:
“I found out that a neighboring university was having a symposium hosted by their Women and Gender Studies Department. While I’m sure some of it was academic, I was shocked to hear that part of the symposium would be a one woman play titled “How to Be a Lesbian in 10 Days or Less.”
After looking into it, I realized it was anything but academic and therefore a real waste of taxpayers’ money. I wrote an article, as a freelance journalist, exposing the one-woman show. Before I knew it, local pastors, media, and even state representatives were talking about it. The University started to feel the heat and ended up canceling the one-woman show! At the end of the school year, it was announced that the SC state legislature had pressured the university into shutting down the entire department.”
When it comes to Conservative students who may feel intimidated, Cooley wants to encourage them to be more vocal:
“I’d say it’s worth it. If you don’t than who will? Of course, you need to be mindful and pick your battles wisely. Don’t buck your professor in a paper that only he will read, resulting in an F; there’s no positive outcome for you.
Make sure when you take a stand, it’s a public affair that will highlight the liberal abuse and catch the eyes/win the support of others.”
To contact Turning Point USA for more info: [email protected]
