The University of Massachusetts Boston needs a conservative Republican club to counter the liberal bias that has become all-too prevalent at universities in the Commonwealth and across the United States. “Conservative” and “Republican” are dirty words that many students and professors use as punchlines rather than viable alternatives to the liberal status-quo in Massachusetts.
Many conservative students and professors are afraid to speak out because they expect their peers to ridicule and ignore them. Students and professors resort to whispering and looking over their shoulder if they dare challenge the liberal status quo. This is not a new phenomenon in arguably the most liberal state in the nation. Showcasing just how liberal Massachusetts is, there are currently 4 Republicans in the State Senate compared to 36 Democrats. This one-party mentality has kept many conservatives “in the closet.”
Why would conservatives at UMass Boston prefer to remain closeted? The reason is simple. No club on campus represents conservative values and traditions. Clubs help students feel included and give them the confidence to defend their beliefs knowing they have the support of the members of their club(s). While I may disagree with certain beliefs held by many activist groups on campus, I fundamentally support their efforts because activism among all political factions encourages debate. Debate considers all points of view and helps to build a consensus, while silencing opposing views creates reserves of resentment.
True political debate is practically non-existent at UMass Boston. The debates always come down to what government should do rather than whether government should do anything at all. The latter is a question that needs to be asked more frequently. If Republicans never have the opportunity to bring their point of view to light, we will continue down the path of bickering and partisanship that has plagued this country.
The sad thing is conservatives, liberals, independents and libertarians agree on many critical issues, but continue to argue over the small issues where we disagree. For example, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration for the National Security Agency (NSA)’s unconstitutional bulk collection of the private communications of Americans. Privacy is a non-partisan issue that is inherent in the American value system and the Constitution. Senator Paul may not be popular amongst liberals, but his lawsuit has received praise from even his most ardent opponents.
This is a call to action for Republicans, conservatives, undecided voters, and liberals who are wondering where their hope and change went. Stand with me as I come out of the closet as a conservative Republican at UMass Boston and heed the call of Samuel Adams:
“It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”
Please contact Michael McGuire if you are interested in joining the UMass Boston College Republicans.
Cell phone: 508-863-5912
Email: [email protected].