Opportunities like this have me more encouraged than you might think about the future of this nation. Let me explain why. If you spend all your time following the mainstream media or just watching what's happening in Washington at the moment, I can see why you would take a pretty dim view of America's direction. That's especially true when you realize how many young voters backed Barack Obama despite what should be a pretty obvious realization that his policies are bad for them.
But if you're desperately looking for young people who get it, I can tell you they're out there. In the past couple of years, I've had the opportunity to speak at more than 140 colleges and universities, and I'm encouraged by what's happened at these engagements. The students are getting the conservative message, especially as they’re completing their degrees and trying to find a job in this economy. I also love hearing from their parents, which I frequently do in my travels. Plus, since many of the other speakers on the roster happen to be friends of mine, it will be fun!
Contrary to the stereotype that young people just want to party and get free benefits from the government, I meet a lot of young people who are working hard to prepare for their futures - to pursue goals, raise families and make a difference in their communities and in their nations. They are thinking through what will happen in their futures, and they understand Obama's policies will present a major stumbling block to them.
They are not too young to understand that massive debt, confiscatory taxation and out-of-control spending will put the burden directly on them in the years ahead, and they want it stopped. They don't look at their lives and ask what the government can do for them. They already have a plan to take care of themselves through their own efforts, and they want irresponsible politicians to stop getting in their way.
Remember this, too: A lot of the young people who are attending Obama rallies today will get smacked in the face by reality as they get older. They will have to fight for jobs. They will have kids. They will confront realities that will change their thinking. It's been said that if you're not a liberal when you're 20, you don't have a heart, but if you're not a conservative when you're 40, you don't have a brain. I dispute the first part of that, but the point is that it's easy to embrace the sort of nonsense Obama says when you haven't had to really deal with the responsibilities of life. Many of today's liberal youth will indeed come over to our side as life teaches them lessons. That's why it's encouraging to see so many young people already embracing the conservative message.
So yes, there is lots of reason for hope, and next week should be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to it! Just as I'm looking forward to America's future.
