Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of columns on conservatives on the UT campus.

“What starts here changes the world.” 

We regularly encounter this phrase. We are the future leaders of Texas. We are expected to be at the forefront of progress and innovation in America. With these expectations in mind, I am a conservative college student because conservative values and policies empower individuals to better themselves and society. 

Conservatism revolves around the premise of limited government, free enterprise, liberty, fiscal responsibility and personal prudence. Conservatives look at a problem and think, “How can the private sector, charities, grassroots organizations, religious groups and I create a solution?” In contrast, liberals look to raising taxes, deficit spending, bureaucracy and extensive regulation. The conservative model produced Uber, Airbnb, Apple and Starbucks; while services run by the federal government — Social Security, the U.S. Postal Service and Medicaid — are largely unsustainable or bankrupt. 

Growing up, I was aware of the local economy and how it impacted people’s livelihood. In my home state of Michigan, we had eight years of a Democrat-controlled state government. This resulted in Michigan having the second highest unemployment rate in the union. The state budget had a $1.5 billion deficit. Morale was low and people were leaving the state in droves. I can even remember losing friends because their parents had been laid off and could only find jobs in other states. 

After moving to Texas, I quickly noticed the contrast in state government models. This year Texas is ranked number one in job creation across all pay levels. Our system of low taxes and reasonable regulation has made Texas an attractive location to create and run a business. 

The primary purpose of attending a university is to increase your salary and employment opportunities. In order for this to occur, we need to enter a strong and growing economy upon graduation. The pro-growth economic policies that conservatives champion make an optimal hiring market that recent graduates can thrive in. However, since President Barack Obama took office, the national unemployment rate for recent college graduates has grown to 8.5 percent. In Obama’s America, well after graduation you are expected to still be financially dependent on your parents. Twenty-six-year-old “children” can stay on their parents’ health care plans. However, I, for one, refuse to accept this path for myself.

Nabozny is a history and government junior from Farmington Hills, Michigan. She is the president of College Republicans.