For voters wondering why so many young Americans drifted toward Donald Trump in this year’s election, North Penn High School student Giuseppe Schiano Di Cola has one answer.
Young men didn’t want to go to war.
“I think one of the driving factors to supporting President Trump in this election was because a lot of people thought Kamala Harris was going to get us into World War III,” said Schiano Di Cola, 17, who is chairman of the Pennsylvania High School Republicans.
Young men were worried they’d be drafted, he said.
“I would love to serve my country,” Schiano Di Cola told DVJournal. “I’d like to go (into the military) on my own accord and not be drafted.”
Another major issue for younger voters: prices.
“Under Biden and Harris, inflation rose, and the prices of houses rose, everything went up,” Schiano Di Cola said.
He recounted the story of a young woman he works with who would like to buy a house with her boyfriend, but they can’t afford it. Schiano Di Cola also recounted his own experiences as a new driver and his sticker shock at the gas pump.
“All this stuff starts adding up,” he said.
Schiano Di Cola said he’s a Republican because of “core values.”
“It’s about the American Dream, it’s about putting hard work into what you earn,” he said. “It’s about actually earning something. And today’s Democrat Party doesn’t really resemble those values. You see it all the time with the Democrat Party pushing for handouts to people who don’t have jobs. We need to get more people back in the workforce and less people on their couch eating potato chips.”
Asked about the situation with Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) and the recount in the Senate race with Republican Dave McCormick, Schiano Di Cola said the tables have turned.
“I think it’s really funny the people that claim to be against election deniers are election deniers….It’s the most ironic story in the country. It’s just hysterical.”
Schiano Di Cola said he likes school and his teachers are “fantastic.” He doesn’t like Critical Race Theory (CRT), but when he talks to his teachers about his objections to it, they understand. Critical Race Theory teaches that White people are inherently racist and participate in race-based societal oppression, regardless of their individual views or actions.
Schiano Di Cola said he will probably go into politics, if not elected office then helping candidates. He plans a double major in political science and public administration and perhaps a minor in theology.
“I feel the only way you can fix the world is to work within the system,” Schiano Di Cola said.
He sometimes gets into arguments with other students who are liberals, he said, more so since Trump won the election.
State Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Gilbertsville), who just won reelection to her second term by 60 percent, is his mentor.
“She is just amazing,” said Schiano Di Cola.
Scheuren said, “Giuseppe is a dynamic young man that I find to be wise beyond his years. His commitment and thorough understanding of Republican principles that emphasize liberty, economic prosperity, individual rights, smaller government and less regulation are profound. His enthusiasm to educate his peers on the importance of preserving American values and traditions, as well as the American Dream for future generations, is inspiring.
“I’m proud of him for starting the Pennsylvania High School Republicans Club, and I will always support his efforts to reach our youth with a conservative message. I’m lucky to have him on my team, but it won’t be for long. His ambition will take him far in the Republican Party one day. Just wait and see,” Scheuren added.
