The Importance Of Interest In American Politics

The disconnect between members of Congress and the American public is no secret. As a somewhat cynical person, I was not sure how I would react to being part of the political establishment myself. In winter term, I wrote a research paper on the American public’s trust in government. During my research, I found that the American public trusted Congress in percentages often in the single digits. Writing that paper, I grew increasingly worried that I would become even more disillusioned with American politics during my time in D.C. Coming to the city in March, I was prepared to face the facts, but I also did not want my perception of a (somewhat) effective government to be completely destroyed. Working in politics has been a goal of mine for years,
In addition to that consciousness, I am also more politically informed than I have ever been in the past. Spending four days a week on Capitol Hill, working for a Republican congressman, has definitely contributed to both of these changes. As an intern, I have no choice but to stay up to date on the happenings in American politics. This aspect of my internship is easily my favorite part. I spend each morning reading The Skimm, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, a practice I did not really take the time to do at Union. Above all else, I know I will continue this habit in the future. Looking back, it seems a little ridiculous that this reading was not a part of my daily routine before. As I have been able to stay more informed on the issues, my own viewpoints have become more clear to me. I have also become increasingly interested in issues of foreign affairs. Although I have always had a strong sense of self, I feel like the knowledge and experiences I have acquired through my internship will carry me well beyond this term. In addition to reviving some of my trust in American government, this term has also reenergized my interests in the many facets of