FROM READERS: Mizzou Republicans discuss political motivations

Some mid-Missourians say they feel like being involved in politics is critically important. To find out what drives them, we're asking people about their political motivation and involvement. We will be periodically posting responses in our From Readers section.

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Caitlin Steffen from the community outreach team was at a Mizzou Republicans meeting earlier this semester and asked people there about their political motivations. Here are some of their responses.

• "I believe it's good to be involved and be an informed voter because your decision could affect the outcome of many people’s lives. And you should know who you’re voting for; you should know what they stand for." — Derrick Price, MU junior

• "I think we’re all at an age in our lives where everything that goes on in these elections will affect us now and will affect us basically throughout the rest of our lives. I mean, this is the most important election in our generation so far, and I think it's really important for everyone to be informed and for everyone to have an opinion and, you know, decide where they what this country to be headed." — Emma Reynolds, MU sophomore
• "I took a six-month leave of absence from my employer to go work for the National Rifle Association. Looking at the political climate over the past 4 years, we have seen a gradual encroachment on all of our rights, whether it’s the right to free speech, whether it’s the freedom of the press, freedom of religion, second amendment — the right to keep and bear arms. If you look across the board, we’ve had encroachments in every one of those areas. And as a United States Marine, I felt it was still my duty and my responsibility to serve my country, so I asked for a six-month leave of absence, was granted it, and came to work full time for National Rifle Association. And we’re here working throughout the state of Missouri to educate, to motivate, and to activate freedom-loving Americans so they know how to fully participate in this election cycle. I took well over 50 percent cut in pay. I’ve left my family for six months; I won’t see them until this November. But that’s how important it is for me personally to make sure that my children, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren experience the same freedoms that we’ve had and we’ve loved in this country throughout its history."  — Jay Anger, National Rifle Association campaign field representative
• "I think it’s important to be involved and have a say in the direction that our country’s headed. And I know we face a lot of challenges, and I want to have a say in how we overcome those and the direction that we go in the future." — Zach Treece, MU junior
• "It’s just becoming more and more important. As government grows, it’s becoming more and more involved in your life, and it’s starting to control more and more. And I don’t like that. I originally came over from the Ron Paul organization, and I just see it becoming too important in your life to (not) be involved, and that’s why I’m getting involved. If you don’t get involved you can’t have influence over what happens." — Mark Jansen, MU Nanotechnology Center staff
• "I think it is important because as a citizen of this country I should be informed as to the people who are going to be making decisions about my life and this economy, and making decisions that are going to be affecting my life. And as a voter, I need to inform myself so I can make the best decision about who will represent me in our government." — Alexa Henning, MU senior

We want to hear what you have to say. Please send us your motivations for being politically involved by filling out the form below or emailing us your response to submissions@ColumbiaMissourian.com. We're looking for a diverse set of answers — long or short, broad or specific — from people of all political persuasions. If there's someone you'd like to hear from, let us know or pass the invitation along.

This story is part of a section of the Missourian called From Readers, which is dedicated to your voices and your stories. We hope you'll consider sharing. Here's how. Supervising Editor is Joy Mayer.