NILES MCKINLEY Rep. Ryan discusses politics with teens

The teenagers questioned the congressman on a variety of issues.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The junior and senior classes of Niles McKinley High School not only heard of the importance of politics and elections, but got to grill a politician while they were at it.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, spoke with the students Wednesday at a town-hall style meeting, which was followed by questions from the audience.
Ryan explained the importance of elections -- at the city, county, state and federal level -- by noting how they can knock down barriers.
"Politics is essentially one human being energizing groups of people," he said.
When like-minded people center their efforts on a specific goal, he said, great changes can be made.
Ryan also noted it's not too early for the teenagers to begin paying attention to politics, since the outcome of elections will affect their lives.
"This election in particular will determine what your future is going to be like," he told the students.
Asking questions
Once the students started asking questions, however, Ryan learned many of them are already paying attention.
The freshman representative fielded questions on everything from what committees he's assigned to in Washington, D.C., and a possible draft to his opinion on stem cell research and his thoughts toward U.S. Sen. John Kerry and President Bush.
"Got an hour?" he quipped when asked about Bush.
In explaining his disagreements with the president's policies and decisions, Ryan was able to again drive home his point about the importance of elections.
Ryan noted he thinks that the war in Iraq was not a good idea, and that the president "rushed into the war."
Now, he said, American troops are fighting overseas, based on decisions made by politicians back here.
"If you don't think that politics are important, if you don't think your vote counts, then go talk to a kid in Walter Reed hospital [in Washington, D.C.] with no legs and one arm," he said.
During his talk, Ryan also encouraged students to find that one thing that energizes them, that "makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up," and to follow that passion. In his case, he said, that one things was politics.
"Now look at me," he said. "I'm in Washington, D.C., and I end up going to the White House and meeting the president.
"And I'm thinking, 'What am I doing? I'm just some punk from Niles,'" he said.
slshaulis@vindy.com