I love politics. I love everything about it. I think politics is so exciting: when I think of the political process, I think of people buzzing around in Washington, D.C. and phones flying off the hooks in the Senate offices (and interns running around with trays of Starbucks). Plus, I think being into progressive politics is really about defending the liberties and freedoms that our country was founded upon. However, there are more up sides to being political, like these following eight reasons.

(Why “8?” It’s my favorite number).

8. Being political makes you able to think better. Being able to analyze and really dissect political affairs carries over to other aspects of your life, whether it’s working through a history essay, decoding your crush’s latest antics, or, more simply, calculating a tip at a restaurant. Plus, political involvement looks awesome on college resumes.
7. Politics pertains to you: want to lower the drinking age, decriminalize teen sex (did you know that it’s illegal for teens under 17 to have sex or buy vibrators in most states?), and help get a woman president? Getting involved will help accomplish these goals!
6. Being involved in politics makes you deeper. You can still be obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy and be in love with Nelly Furtado music (I know I am!), but when you get into politics, you become a more multi-faceted, well-rounded person.
5. Having political opinions is glamorous. Think about how many celebrities have taken a stand, from Jennifer Lopez to Timbaland to Madonna to John Mayer!
4. The drop dead gorgeous interns in Chuck Schumer’s office. (Chuck Schumer is a Democratic senator from New York State who is very cool and consistently votes for women’s rights and progressive causes. The male interns in his office look like Abercrombie models).
3. Politics is a safer hobby than skydiving.
2. Being involved in politics helps you make more friends, especially if you’re getting involved in political clubs at school or organizations like Young People For P.S. The girl in this picture is my friend Alexandra, who I first met when I served on the National Organization for Women Young Feminist Task Force, and is now a Young People For fellow.
1. Having political opinions means taking a stand. And if you don’t eventually develop opinions, someone might make your political decisions for you. And, really, who likes to be spoken for? Plus, assuming you’re attached to progressive politics (or even if you’re moderate. Moderates are pretty cool, too), you can take a stand for people who might not be able to take a stand for themselves; you can really help others. Being political and knowing I’m making a change makes me feel good about myself!