Young Americans for Liberty Revives True Definition of Conservatism

This week, I am attending the 2011 Young Americans for Liberty in Washington, DC. While many might think that YAL is just another conservative-ish student group, there is something special about the action-oriented approach of YAL. I’m sure most college grads can relate to the idea of the stereotypical blonde-hair, blue eyed preppy student sitting blandly behind an outreach table for College Republicans, just as they can relate to the stereotypical young man or woman with blonde dreadlocks and an insulting odor standing in front of the College Democrats table avidly passing out flyers containing incoherent mumbo jumbo about compassion and love.

While it can seem that in order to be young and politically involved, you have to fit perfectly into one of these stereo types, YAL is breaking down stereotypes by being the most broadly popular new political organization for college and high school students. I look around me and while I do see a high number of nerdy-looking guys, I also see representation from every different walk of life, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic background. There is only one thing similar about all these faces, and that’s that we are all young (but that’s how supposed to be… YOUNG Americans for Liberty).

I have been asked time after time by Conservative, and a few Progressive, organizations how YAL attracts youth into politics, my answer is simple: our philosophy. We don’t fit perfectly into a political party, we don’t change as time goes on, and we don’t just sit around and talk about it. We are classical liberals, known by Republicans and “Goldwater Republicans”. We believe in constitutional government, end of story. If it isn’t specifically outlined in the Constitution, we believe our government shouldn’t be doing it. We don’t waver to stay “relevant” or “cool”, because we know the most cool thing is consistency in philosophy. Our philosophy doesn’t just stay with us. We do everything to bring new students into our fold. We set up recruitment tables on the quad, write editorials, put up posters, host meeting, do events and generate as much debate and discussion about stopping the government from impeding on our civil rights, ending the wars in the Middle East, and pursuing a balanced budget.

As I look around this room, I see a sea of faces that will effect real, meaningful change in their individual areas. Only 130 chapter leaders and activists of our almost 4,000 member network has been accepted to this event. As 2012 approaches, thousands of YAL members are preparing to run for office as part of our biggest undertaking yet; Year of Youth. Year of Youth is an initiative to identify, train, and mobilize 25,000 young people to either run for office or work for a campaign. The new, or old (depending on your age), definition of conservatism is official. We are young, we are strong, we are many, and we don’t like the burden of unconstitutional government.