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Saira Blair Becomes Youngest Elected Politician in US

Nilly said:
I agree that many old views should be remembered and respected, however this rememberance and respect should be reasoned, not just there for the sake of it. As many have noted here, one of the great things about having young people in politics is that they can rock the boat a little, mix things up with youthful enthusiasm and passion (not to say that these qualities are necessarily exclusive to youth). I don't see that being the case much in Blairs appointment, which IMO is a shame.
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What sort of ideas would you like her to present that would rock the boat a little, or mix things up?

By saying that some old views should be remembered and respected suggests she is rocking the boat a little, that 'new' ideas are not always great ideas. Of course this might disturb those who feel they are part of 'the smartest generation' (it was ever thus) and that is novel as well.
 
Grant said:
What sort of ideas would you like her to present that would rock the boat a little, or mix things up?

By saying that some old views should be remembered and respected suggests she is rocking the boat a little, that 'new' ideas are not always great ideas. Of course this might disturb those who feel they are part of 'the smartest generation' (it was ever thus) and that is novel as well.
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How about "SSM is fine"??????????

(sorry to bring the thread back to this)
 
Nilly said:
How about "SSM is fine"??????????

(sorry to bring the thread back to this)
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I think that SSM is fine, but it isn't how she feels, and quite possibly how the people who voted for her don't feel either.

SSM isn't going to be a state issue anyway. It'll be a federal matter settled by SCOTUS. She has a right to have her beliefs, however much we disagree with them. Until recently, President Obama felt as she did.
 
Nilly said:
How about "SSM is fine"??????????

(sorry to bring the thread back to this)
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SSM is one of those fashionable idea that was spurned earlier by Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama but one which they approved of not all that much later.

I happen to support SSM, partly because the traditions surrounding traditional marriage have been so watered down that they barely matter anymore so why not? That doesn't mean I am right.
 
tres borrachos said:
I think that SSM is fine, but it isn't how she feels
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Preciseley. I would love to see our youngest elected politician challenge the historical status quo, not embrace it.
 
TurtleDude said:
pro gun is good. the opposition to same sex marriage is silly. No one is hurt in the least by state law recognizing gay marriage
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I think the issue with gay marriage is that it should be up to the states, not the feds and not the courts.
 
Grant said:
SSM is one of those fashionable idea that was spurned earlier by Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama but one which they approved of not all that much later.

I happen to support SSM, partly because the traditions surrounding traditional marriage have been so watered down that they barely matter anymore so why not? That doesn't mean I am right.
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I wouldn't call SSM a 'fashionable' idea. I would call it a new idea, and I would also call it incredibly important and, dare I say it, a great idea.

I'll ignore your 'smartest generation' quip and say this: new generations bring new ideas. This is true of every generation, not just my own. Blair is in a position now where she represents not only W.Virginia but also a new generation who have, you guessed it, new ideas. I think that it's a shame that this representative doesn't seem receptive to many of these new ideas.

Of course, that is just me calling it how it seems on the face of things. We'll have to wait and see how things actually go.
 
Nilly said:
Preciseley. I would love to see our youngest elected politician challenge the historical status quo, not embrace it.
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I would as well, but I suspect this is her personal belief as well as her grandparents'. You'll never get 100% of the people to support SSM just like you'll never get 100% of the people to support any social issue.
 
Is the issue whether a newly minted adult can successfully serve in elected office?
Or is the issue who agrees with this one's political philosophy?

Obviously, a majority of local voters do agree with her political philosophy, or they wouldn't have elected her.
 
Cardinal said:
"I'm also curious how she has anyone's "life" in her hands? I have friends in the NH state legislature, and they have next to no power to do anything, much less control people's lives or have them in their hands."

=

"Don't worry everyone! I know she's just 18, but relax, she has no power to meaningfully affect us in any way!"

From her website:




If she has "next to no" power, how does she plan on doing this?



If she has "next to no" power, how does she plan on doing this?

Go to Issues - dev and you'll see some other issues she wants to tackle. How, if she has next to no power, can she do this? Because reading through her website, she certainly seems to be under the impression that she'll have the power to effect change, one that directly affects her constituency. Is she wrong?
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She would wield power and influence that could push parts of her agenda onto the table for voting, if correctly applied. I don't think anyone, including Blair herself, thinks she will get in that state legislature and change the world. But she could give the legislature a fresh and youthful perspective. Though I am in vehement disagreement with many of her views, that is something I would like to see.
 
TeleKat said:
She would wield power and influence that could push parts of her agenda onto the table for voting, if correctly applied. I don't think anyone, including Blair herself, thinks she will get in that state legislature and change the world. But she could give the legislature a fresh and youthful perspective. Though I am in vehement disagreement with many of her views, that is something I would like to see.
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Believe it or not, I am aware of the subtle differences in the power that a state legislator wields as opposed to that of Emperor Julius Caesar. And yes, as you said, she will have influence on policy that is proposed. As for the "fresh and youthful" perspective I went to her website and her positions are defined by her religious ideology, and none appear to be the result of her life's experiences. So far as I can tell, her "fresh and youthful" perspective is not having had to pay her own rent, hold down a job, save money, or any of a number of things that define real world adult experience.

My main question about her was already first voiced in the beginning of the thread (I'm too lazy to go back and find it so I'm just going to paraphrase it): the problem is not her, per se, but why would anyone vote for a candidate so lacking in real world experiences?
 
Cardinal said:
Believe it or not, I am aware of the subtle differences in the power that a state legislator wields as opposed to that of Emperor Julius Caesar. And yes, as you said, she will have influence on policy that is proposed. As for the "fresh and youthful" perspective I went to her website and her positions are defined by her religious ideology, and none appear to be the result of her life's experiences. So far as I can tell, her "fresh and youthful" perspective is not having had to pay her own rent, hold down a job, save money, or any of a number of things that define real world adult experience.

My main question about her was already first voiced in the beginning of the thread (I'm too lazy to go back and find it so I'm just going to paraphrase it): the problem is not her, per se, but why would anyone vote for a candidate so lacking in real world experiences?
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Well she was the Republican nominee so alot of that was probably just toeing the line. West Virginia has a pretty big Republican stronghold so I think they would have had it in the bag whether or not they put up a young person.

I encourage people of all legal ages to run and represent their community. If the community chooses those people to represent them, more power to them. I definitely would not vote for her myself, so I cannot specifically answer that question. But she apparently had a platform that appealed to the majority of voters in her district. I say good luck. :shrug:

Overall, yeah she's a little inexperienced but she has extensive background in politics and law already. Besides it's not bad to have enthusiastic fresh meat in there to mix things up. I would probably take issue with an entire legislature made up of 18 year olds or an 18 year old Governor, but one or two young state representatives would probably be good for the state provided they have some background and the blessing of their constituents. Unfortunately she has the social issues of an 80 year old man...which is a marketedly negative down-side. Those will probably mellow out after a few years in the house though.
 
SheWolf said:
I could never vote for an 18 year old to represent me. She has no life experience, and her opinions will undoubtedly change as she matures. She is also in college, so she has to balance being a college Freshman with learning the ropes of the House of Delegates.

She doesn't know what it's like to buy a house, pay bills, try raising a family in the current economy, etc.



I read her campaign page, and I was unimpressed.

West Virginia has a part-time legislature and most legislators have full-time jobs. If elected, I will attend WVU during the Fall Semester, defer the Spring Semester and attend summer classes. I already know the ropes and I can multitask too.

Trust me with your vote and I will make you proud!


That reminds me of my nieces begging for a puppy, saying they clean up and completely take care of it. It's easy to say, but it's hard to do. She is starting college and major role in her community at the same time. I would have been hesitate to vote for her.

Then she sites her work experience:

Student Teller for Eastern Panhandle Federal Credit Union
Apple Crest Orchard
Sunset Water Services

About Saira - dev


I just don't understand why the people in her district voted for her...
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I feel the same way about Obama.
 
Cardinal said:
Believe it or not, I am aware of the subtle differences in the power that a state legislator wields as opposed to that of Emperor Julius Caesar. And yes, as you said, she will have influence on policy that is proposed. As for the "fresh and youthful" perspective I went to her website and her positions are defined by her religious ideology, and none appear to be the result of her life's experiences. So far as I can tell, her "fresh and youthful" perspective is not having had to pay her own rent, hold down a job, save money, or any of a number of things that define real world adult experience.

My main question about her was already first voiced in the beginning of the thread (I'm too lazy to go back and find it so I'm just going to paraphrase it): the problem is not her, per se, but why would anyone vote for a candidate so lacking in real world experiences?
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Many said the same thing about Obama but, luckily, this young woman is not in a position to do any real harm.
 
tech30528 said:
I feel the same way about Obama.
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Actually, Obama did have real life experience. His problem was not lack of experience, but a complete lack of any measurable executive ability.
 
Grant said:
Many said the same thing about Obama but, luckily, this young woman is not in a position to do any real harm.
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That's a stellar selling point.

Vote Cardinal, 2016: "Not In A Position To Do Any Real Harm."
 
Cardinal said:
Actually, Obama did have real life experience. His problem was not lack of experience, but a complete lack of any measurable executive ability.
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What 'real life experience' that would qualify him for the US Presidency?
 
Grant said:
What 'real life experience' that would qualify him for the US Presidency?
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Oh, for god's sake, wiki him. I'm not going to waste my time for your kicks and giggles.
 
Grant said:
What 'real life experience' that would qualify him for the US Presidency?
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It takes more than real life experience to qualify anyone to be president of the US. It does require some executive experience, as well as an ability to reach out to people who are on the other side of the issues.

We're not talking about an executive position being taken by an 18 year old, however. Being president is a bit different from being the member of a state legislature.
 
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