Sun staff
U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup hopes that after speaking to students, they will have the drive to do more than simply go to school and come home.
“More than anything else, I hope it drives them to be involved with philanthropy, other community involvement, government, extracurricular activities, just something that drives them to be a part of something,” Wenstrup said.
Wenstrup tried to inspire some government history students at Goshen High School to do more on March 10.
Wenstrup began speaking to students last year, he said. He tries to make the event fun, informative, historic and current for students.
The event at Goshen went well, Wenstrup felt. The students seemed attentive and asked good, deep questions.
Wenstrup was a very informative speaker and gave students a good idea of what it’s like to be a congressman, High School Principal Nick Inabnitt said.
“I thinking bringing in a speaker shows our kids what they can do. The possibilities are endless,” Inabnitt said.
Wenstrup began by telling students that they can never be sure where life will take them, but it is good to over learn in order to be prepared for what may come.
Wenstrup used personal experiences, like his time at St. Xavier High School, the University of Cincinnati, the Army Reserves and Wellington Orthopaedic to inspire students.
He also expressed his concerns about the current government and what state our country will be in when the next generation takes over, especially in regard to the nation’s debt and the balance of power is taking place in the government.
In 2013, the country spent $2.21 million in just interest, and the country is in $18 trillion dollars in debt, Wenstrup said. This will not have an impact in Wenstrup’s lifetime, he said, but it could come crashing down on the next generation.
If the country is in a place where the president can do whatever he wants without Congress involved, then there is not a need for Congress and the country can just select a king, Wenstrup said. He has concerns about President Barack Obama taking executive actions on items that are not urgent.
“I wonder what our generation, my generation, is going to do. And I don’t want it to be just an increased debt to you and I do want it to be where your voice will constantly be heard,” Wenstrup said.
Wenstrup also spoke of his love for America, calling it the greatest nation on earth.
Students asked Wenstrup about his opinion on topics including the Keystone Pipeline, Common Core and whether social media is affecting suicide rate.