I’m in the middle of a long and stormy relationship.

My significant other is fascinating, witty, clever and nuanced. 

Unfortunately, she is also bitter, annoying, unreasonable and often plain stupid.

No, I’m not talking about a girlfriend; I’m talking about politics.

Yes, politics: one of two topics (besides religion) that polite people rarely talk about in public. 

During the past two years while at Oakland, I have attempted to talk to a number of my fellow students about various political topics. 

I usually fail.

Here’s the reason: we as college students have a very hard time understanding why politics matter to us. 

What’s the big deal behind Lois Lerner’s hidden (lost?) emails? 

Who cares whether or not Bill Clinton really did commit perjury way back in 1998?

Wait, who is Lois Lerner?

I want to change that. My goal is to try to make complex political issues simple and relevant to us as college students. 

In other words, I want to show why politics matter. 

Hard as it is in this extremist environment, I will try to be as neutral as possible. 

Will I still be somewhat biased? 

Sure. 

We all are. 

But, and this is a very important “but,” I will not be writing a polemic (polemic: noun a strong written or spoken attack against someone else’s opinions, beliefs or practices).

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I promise, absolutely promise that I will keep it interesting. 

If I ever get boring, I’ll quit on the spot. So here’s how this column will work. 

The first half will be a background and breakdown of the chosen topic: guns, immigration, the midterm elections, etc. 

The second half will be my opinion on the issue. 

You don’t have to read both sections; for that matter, you don’t have to read either.

As the writer, of course, I hope you will, but I’m under no delusions: many people are sick of opinion and that’s fine with me.

Hopefully, this will be fun. Writing is, contrary to public opinion, fun. 

Politics can be fun. 

Let’s make it that way. 

So then, look for a column next week on … well, I can’t give it all away, can I? 

Questions? Comments? Want to write your own column? Email [email protected].