Danny Shelby discusses what motivates him in politics. He is motivated to vote so he can help enact changes and has a right to criticize the government. He wants to see more voter involvement. He also hopes the government continues protecting rights like those in the Bill of Rights. Shelby was surprised to learn the powers of the president and wants to learn more about how media affects politics. He believes the biggest political issue is the influence of biased media polarizing Americans. Shelby thinks the First Amendment, protecting freedoms of religion, speech, press, and assembly, is the most important. The biggest life lesson is realizing his individual vote matters in shaping the country.

1. Participation in Politics
Danny Shelby, Engineering

2. What Motivates Me
• What makes me want to vote- Voting is how I can help make changes in America. If do not
approve of an official, then voting in the next election is the biggest way I can help as a individual.
If I choose to not use my right to vote, then I have no right to criticize how the United States is
ran.
• If I could change on thing in politics, it would be the involvement of the people. Way too many
people refuse to vote in elections. This is a hug issue because every vote matters in elections.
• I hope that the government continues to protect our rights. There is always talk about making
changing to The Bill of Rights or other amendments. The Bill of Rights was made to protect the
people from the government and the government does not need to change it.

3. What I Learned This Semester
• The most surprising thing I learned this semester is the amount of powers that
the president has. I did not know much about what powers the president have
and what powers they do not have until this class. I think these powers are
something that every American should be aware of.
• I would like to learn more about how the media affects politics. The fact that
there is so much fake news in the United States is staggering. I know that media
plays a huge role in politics but I would like to dig deeper into how much fake
news and biased stories directly affect elections.

4. Biggest Political Issue
• I believe that the biggest political issue in the United States right now
and for future generations is the media. The media is already
extremely bias when it comes to covering stories an I fear that it will
only get worse. I also believe that the way the media twist the truth
to target a certain audience has the direct relation to the increase of
political polarization in America. The United States is getting more
and more divided every year and I think the media plays a big role in
this.

5. 1st Amendment
• I believe that the most important amendment is the very first one.
The protections for religion, speech, the press, and assembly is
something everyone should have. It is something that no mater how
much our society changes, it will always be needed in order to have a
truly free country.

6. Life lessons
• I learned a lot of things that I will take into my future but the biggest
thing I learned is that I matter in politics.
• I can help mold The United States into what I think is best just by
simply voting.
• Even though I am just one person, my vote matters in any and every
election.