Student voices support for Trump, talks politics
While a many young voters are "Feeling The Bern" or saying "I'm With Her," Christopher Kozlowski, a sociology major from Holly said he’s ready to "Make America Great Again" by supporting Donald Trump in the coming election.
Kozlowski sat down to talk with Central Michigan Life about what it’s like to be a Donald Trump supporter on a college campus, a place with a high concentration of young voters, which is a key demographic for candidates of the Democratic Party.
He said he has talked with other Trump supporters on campus. Kozlowski said connecting with people in a group setting to debate ideas is important during any period of controversial political activity, especially during an election.
Why do you support Donald Trump?
KOZLOWSKI: I like that Trump keeps money out of politics. He's not being bribed by lobbyists. He doesn't take any money from lobbyists because he is a businessman, he already has millions if not billions of dollars, so he can support his campaign himself.
I identify with a lot of (what he's said) because he's pretty conservative, I'm pretty conservative and I just like that he has this "I don't take any crap' type of personality."
What specific issues does Trump support that you agree with?
I'm completely fine with him putting that wall up between the U.S. and Mexico, in fact it sounds good to me. He's going to get rid of all of Obama's executive orders, especially those regarding the Second Amendment. I feel like our current president has been majorly stepping on our rights and overstepping his boundaries as president.
Trump is kind of an unorthodox political figure. Has that ever deterred you from expressing your opinions?
No I guess not, I don’t really care. It’s a college campus, you have to expect it.
I think most people on campus don’t support him because he isn’t preaching free college education a $15 minimum wage, and political correctness.
Has anyone ever personally treated you negatively because you support Trump?
I don’t really talk to other people about the election. I’ve dealt with liberals enough to know that no matter what you say, they are not going to change their minds. I know if I did discuss this with someone it would probably just end in unnecessary hostilities which I prefer to avoid.
Do you think that people’s political opinions are their own personal affairs?
Yeah, everyone has had different upbringings that effect who they are and what they believe. Who are we to tell them what to think?
Do you ever share your opinions in class?
I do occasionally. In one of my political science classes we have been talking about the Ferguson, Missouri and the whole Michael Brown situation, and I tend to side with the police and most other students are pretty against the police. Things get pretty heated in these debates.
I'm sure (classmates) have made up their opinions about me and who I am (because of my political beliefs) I can tell many people in my class are Bernie Sanders supporters so if I say anything different, I'm sure they'd fly off the handle so I just keep (my opinions) to myself usually.
Why are you attracted to a non-establishment candidate?
I don’t really care what a political party’s opinion is on a candidate and I don’t have any loyalties to a political party.
How did your upbringing shape your political views?
Growing up my parents never really talked to me about their political standings. My political views may have been shaped slightly by my parents, but my parents didn’t even tell me what their political views were until after I started identifying myself as being a conservative.
My political views were shaped a lot by what I saw in the 2008 presidential elections since that was around the time I started having an interest in politics.
Do you think trump will win the candidacy or the presidency?
I’m sure he will win the candidacy and hopefully the presidency.
