I'm not old enough to vote yet, but I am old enough to form opinions about what see and what I would like the world to be like when I do turn 18.
I am old enough to care about right and wrong.
I'm not too young to learn to develop good citizenship skills.
I am old enough to care about right and wrong.
I'm too young to cast a vote but not too young to learn about the process.
I'm not too young to learn how to gather information, to weigh evidence, to evaluate sources. To learn to put together and present information so that others will be willing to read it and understand what I am saying.
I'm not too young to share my passion for a cause.
I'm not too young to learn how the political system works and the system's tools. To learn when to telephone elected officials or write editors or gather neighbors' signatures on petitions or to hold up signs at demonstrations.
I'm not too young to work on developing my skills not only to see a problem but to try and propose a way to make it better.
I'm not too young to take advantage of the educational opportunities I have been given to learn to state my concerns more clearly.
I'm not young to learn to listen to others with respect so that they will give me their respect.
I'm not too young to learn how to give others a chance to express themselves and to learn to listen with an open mind.
I'm not too young to be part of the political process.
I am old enough to know my heart and to follow it.

Each year, more and more teenagers are becoming involved in the political process. Because many teenagers have government classes in high school, they are kept updated on world events and are knowledgeable about the government process. These classes have taught students that they can have a voice in politics. Most importantly, teenagers can use the political process to make their community a better place.

Teenagers can write to their local congressman or a senator. They may try to persuade the congressman to vote for something that is favorable for the community.

Getting involved early is key. Teenagers can make a difference in their community if they understand the political process. Becoming an active voter allows a teen to voice their opinion. The community benefits because a knowledgeable teen voter will vote for the candidate who seems to care about the community the most.

Volunteering for a candidate allows teenagers to become active in the political process. This open support of a candidate will encourage other eligible teens to vote.

I believe that teens are the key to the future. As politics is becoming more of a part of people's daily lives, it is important for teens to be involved and be knowledgeable. America's prosperity can only continue if teens become involved with politics in their community.

Elections are about the future. Yet our generation, heirs to the world that our leaders will leave behind, too often opts out and sits on the sidelines as politicians make decisions that affect our lives. Abstention from voting does not mean that we are apathetic. Though our turnout is low, our volunteer hours are high. This shows that our generation is actively engaged in communities across the nation, yet has lost faith in the political process. The tragedy of our disenchantment from politics is that we have the most to lose.

Today, thousands of young soldiers are overextended in Iraq, fighting a war sold under false pretenses. Meanwhile, rumors and whispers of the return of the draft echo throughout the country. The Bush administration's foreign policy alienates our generational counterparts throughout the world, creating the terrorists that will plot against us for decades to come. At home, over one third of the nation's working poor are in our age group, and we make up the majority of those without health insurance. These are all problems that cannot be addressed through volunteer work.

The reasons for us to become more involved in the political process are clear. We fight the wars, build upon the successes, and repay the debts of our parents. America is the most powerful nation in history, and it is our generation's duty to use this power for good, at home and abroad. Our volunteerism demonstrates our commitment to public service. Transforming this commitment into political involvement will require that we be frank about the personal stake our generation has in this election. In the next few years, our leaders will make monumental decisions on war and peace, social security and health care. If we don't participate, then we surrender any say in the world they will leave us.