Rep. Moran shares love of politics with teens

Alan Vester loves politics.

He likes knowing what goes on at the federal, state and local levels, which he knows will affect him.

And when Vester heard that Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., would speak at Central Christian School, he couldn’t hide his excitement.

“It’s great hearing a constitutionally correct opinion on government from a Christian man,” said Vester, a senior at Central Christian.

It was Moran’s first time at Central Christian, and he was welcomed by a roomful of students with open ears.

Moran travels to 30 to 40 public and private schools a year to talk to youths who are just beginning to understand the importance of government. He was a high school student himself when he became interested in politics. “What goes on now is going to have a huge consequence on their lives,” Moran said.

He grew up in Plainville, a small town near Hays. His father worked in the oil fields while his mother was the “lady you paid your light bill to.”

“Nothing in my life would ever suggest I become a member of Congress,” he told the students.

But he did.

His love for politics grew while he read history and biographies when he was a student.

Fast-forward a few years, and Moran admits it’s difficult reaching out to 17- and 18-year-olds when they are so much younger. But his tour of Kansas high schools is vital. “It’s not easy, but it’s important,” he said.

He knows times are different now. Instead of relying on books, most teens get their news and information on the Internet and television.

However, Moran said he’s getting more familiar with social networking Web sites like Facebook and Twitter.

He talked about his frustration with No Child Left Behind, health care reform and stimulus packages.

“Our country is in very difficult circumstances,” Moran said. “We have gone down a path that’s the wrong path to go and we can’t just keep operating like nothing’s wrong.”

While the country is going through tough times economically, he reminded students that they still live in a country with huge opportunities.

In the United States, individuals matter.

“We have the opportunity to change the course – to make life better,” he said.

Moran also touched on his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. He said he had considered leaving politics and going back to a “normal life.”

But his wife said he was born to be in politics, and Moran agreed. “If I’m going to stay in Washington, D.C., I’m going to put myself in a position in which I can make a greater difference,” he said. “One of 100 is much different than one of 435.”

While the election is still a long way off, Vester said he has big hopes for Moran.

“This is one of the coolest experiences I’ve had this year,” he said. “I hope he wins for Senate.”