This will be a series of posts chronicling why I became a delegate, how I became a delegate, what my responsibilities are as a delegate and what I do as a delegate. At the time of this writing (April 9th, 2016) I am a district and state delegate for Iowa and in the process of figuring out how to become a national delegate.

“Brief” Political and Ideological Background

I was raised by a pair of communists in Milwaukee, WI (perhaps arguably one of the most socialist cities in the country). I didn’t discover that, or really understand what it meant, until I was well into adulthood. This heavily influenced my views on the economy and government growing up. I, like most young people, completely avoided politics because it was “stupid”. I was mainly a casual observer until the Obama election in 2008.

A few years before the Obama election I became extremely interested in economics because of some book recommendations of [a friend] while I was living in Taiwan. These books made me interested in politics as politics is the gatekeeper for implementing economic policy and also made me identify as being a [libertarian]. This all took place before Obama was elected and before the [“tea party revolution”].

I voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012. While this seems paradoxical on the surface, my views on social issues are more aligned with the Democratic party. It’s an unfortunate reality that people vote with their social ideology in mind more than economic or constitutional. I have cognizantly decided to take the path of working within the confines of the established party system instead of taking part in a “revolution”.

I briefly attempted to run for alderman in Milwaukee. While it was an extremely brief attempt, I learned all of the necessary skills and information to launch a political campaign. I was a volunteer for the Obama election in 2012. I helped manage the databases and knocked on some doors.

I had taken to the habit of COMPLETELY ignoring the news in the past few years. It’s impossible to do completely as I’m living with my mother and she’s an MSNBC junky. A clip of news about #BlackLivesMatter got me paying attention to things a little more and involved with organizing on behalf of the #BlackLivesMatter movement (not the organization) in Milwaukee.

My mom is “feeling the Bern” and has been out to see Bernie Sanders in person on at least one occasion had tried to take me with, I never made it out. Hillary Clinton happened to visit the town I’m living in, Osage, IA. I wasn’t planning on going to go see her but since I wasn’t doing anything that day I decided I’d go check it out.

To be continued….

If you have questions I will gladly answer them in the comments.

I’ve created [a petition on Change.org] asking for signatures to help increase my chances of becoming a national delegate. I would love it if you signed and share it.