Each and every human being has their own worldview, or a way that they see the world. Despite our similarities, our experiences can cause these worldviews to be drastically different.
For Gabe Saint, a sophomore studying Political Science at the University of Wyoming as well as president of Turning Point USA, his worldview was fundamentally shaped by one experience.
“Obama really wrecked Wyoming’s economy in 2016 and got my dad and a few hundred coal miners in Douglas and Gillete laid off, and it was really tough times. Ever since then. I’ve just been politically involved,” Gabe said.
“That was the first time I saw my dad cry; that was a little tough. He loved his job. He loved digging for coal, and it was really hard to see.”
This event was fundamental in developing Gabe’s worldview.
“My parents had me when they were really young, and they worked– they worked their tails off. Then policies from Democrats that don’t live in Wyoming can just end it like that. I just thought that was wrong,” Gabe
“Ronald Reagan said that every American should be able to control his destiny, and it made me feel like my family couldn’t control theirs.”
Since then, Gabe has taken an active role in politics and sought to learn as much as he can. He hopes to expand and widen his understanding and worldview.
“I think that in order to bring true change in public policy and that kind of stuff, you have to understand. There’s very few things that have black and white policy,” Gabe said.
“I think that listening and talking to people, that’s the main way to expand your horizons.”
Additionally, Gabe shared he feels communication is vital to the wellbeing of a healthy democracy. He’s encouraged by the public discourse that still remains in the country.
“Western civilization will most definitely die out if we’re not allowed to talk anymore. I think everybody should be encouraged to speak civilly with each other,” Gabe said.
“Even though the Republic may not seem like it’s in a great state, I think the fact that we’re still talking a little bit, at least on the citizen level, maybe not the governmental, is a good thing. I think it shows that we’re still healthy.”
Gabe isn’t looking to attain any extraordinary political position, but he hopes to make a difference in a more simple, ordinary way.
Gabe said he hopes to see change by “getting young people involved in politics and getting more people who don’t really think like Republicans of old, the conservatives in party politics involved.”
“I’d like to see a Republican party that’s more representative of Wyoming’s core values. I think that’s family, ranching, and fossil fuels.”
Gabe feels he has been targeted by people who don’t share his worldviews. Despite this, Gabe continues to voice his concerns, support his cause, and advocate for free speech.
“We all get slandered and attacked on social media,” Gabe said, referring to himself and other individuals who voice conservative opinions.
“I’m on [President Seidel’s] free speech committee that he commissioned earlier this semester, in January. We’re working to make campus a place where discourse and a marketplace of ideas can really exist. We really want UW to be a beacon of freedom of expression.”
