By Mark Parent, Opinions Editor

Published in print Nov.12 ,2014

Students win in election.

In case you didn’t know, Republicans took control of Congress last week.

Of course, I’m sure most everyone reading this was aware of that little tidbit of information; however, I have a strong feeling that many reading this were not euphoric on election night, like me.

I must admit, the results from last Tuesday were pretty surprising.

After all, it seems like whenever a Republican looks to have the upper-hand in an election, they choose to offer up their own backward opinion on some kind of social issue.

Yet, the establishment candidates running this cycle managed to stay focused on the issues and drive home a simple message: a vote for a Republican, is a vote for real progress.

Now, I know an overwhelming majority of students on campus would vehemently disagree with that message.

Here at UNCG, it’s no secret that liberalism is the dominant political ideology.

Of course, it would be wrong of me to not mention the other militant Marxists, socialists, and anarchists who relentlessly preach their views to any soul stupid enough to listen.

With that being said, I think it’s safe to assume that conservatism is in the minority at UNCG.

The problem with this is that it shouldn’t be.  In fact, every student should be conservative.

Now, let me be clear, I’m not an advocate of social conservatism; to be frank, social conservatism is the main reason a conservative isn’t in the White House today.

Instead, students should embrace 21st century conservatism, which infuses libertarian social views and a conservative fiscal outlook; subscribers to this philosophy call themselves, “conservatarians.”

At this point, I’m sure you’re wondering how the hell this philosophy could be appealing to the average young voter.

However, the October 2014 Fusion Millennial Poll answers that question rather simply.

This poll found that the economy was by far the most important issue to young voters; education, which was second on the list, had only about half as many votes as the economy.

Stephen Lurie, writing for the Washington Post on October 31, explains that, “the unemployment for the 20-24 age group is about twice the national average, wage growth for recent graduates has been even more sluggish than for other groups, and signs indicate we will be no more upwardly mobile than our parents.”

If you ask me, it’s pretty clear that economics should be first and foremost in the minds of every student at UNCG when they enter the ballot box.

Of course, that’s where those glorious midterm election results come in.

According to Congressman Jon Runyan’s (R-NJ) congressional website, the Republican-led House of Representatives has passed a total of 36 pro-growth jobs bills that would positively impact the lives of young Americans.

The Democratic-led Senate, however, has chosen to squash 29 of those bills, despite widespread bipartisan support.

The simple reason for this lack of cooperation and unwillingness to move America forward can be found in the Democratic Party’s blatant favoritism of political expediency over what’s right for the country.

Fortunately for us, Democrats no longer control the Senate.

Currently, the Republicans have captured 52 seats and it looks like that number will reach 54 by the beginning of next month (the race in Alaska has yet to be called, and Louisiana is headed to a runoff).

This means that more bipartisan jobs bills will be able to reach the President’s desk and be signed into law.

Surely this is better for young people.

Now, I think all of us, regardless of our party affiliation, can agree that bipartisan cooperation is needed in the American system to make any real progress; after all, we’re a Presidential system, not a Parliamentary one.

So when two parties are fighting over power in Congress, which has persisted in Washington for the last four years, absolutely nothing gets done.

With that being said, we should all get down on our knees and thank the good Lord for that glorious election result that left our government a bit more functional.

Hopefully, 2016 will give us that great red trifecta: the House, Senate, and the White House.

Join the movement.  Make a difference.  Become a 21st century conservative.

Oh, and don’t forget: if you’re not liberal at 20, then you have no heart; but, if you’re not conservative at 40, then you  have no brain.

Let’s get ahead of the curve.