Recently, HipHopRepublican.com sat down with  Sophia Davis. She is a 23 years old Republican Capitol Hill staffer for Senator George V. Voinovich. In this interview Sophia Davis talks about her views on Healthcare, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and her future plans in Washington, DC.

 EXCLUSIVE HHR INTERVIEW: Sophia Davis

 

Sophia, tell HHR Blog about yourself…where are you from…where were you born…where were you raised?

I am 23 years old and a Capitol Hill staffer for Senator George V. Voinovich. I was born in the Bronx, N.Y, and raised in the beautiful Violet capitol of Ohio in the city of Pickerington. Some of my hobbies include participating in pageants, baking, scrapbooking, camping, and jewelry making.

What do you like most about the place you live in now?

I live in the Woodley Park neighborhood, which is home to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! What I like most about Woodley Park, is that I have easy access to the zoo, great cafes, and a diverse selection of international cuisines. One of which is The Lebanese Tavern; my absolute favorite!

How does living in DC compare to your home state?

Pickerington, Ohio is a small mix of suburbia and farmland. It is a small city where the entire town attends the H.S. football games on Fridays; and children spend lazy summer afternoons swimming in pools and playing in by nearby fields.  My old high school lies in the midst of a cornfield, and Pickerington is notorious for its annual “Violet Festival” and parades. All in all, my homogeneous hometown is quaint but a complete 180` from Washington, DC.

What drew me to our nation’s capitol was that although Washington, DC is one of the larger cities in the United States, it still contains the feelings of a small town through its inside political networks and vivacious neighborhoods. What I enjoy most about the District, is the abundance of travelers and city hopers from all over the world. I greatly appreciate the fact that from my apartment, I can turn left out and grab authentic Ethiopian and then turn right and divulge into a fabulous French crepe. DC is vibrant! And I greatly enjoy the authentic blend it presents.

We hear that you’re working for a Senator do you mind if we ask who?

I work for Senator George Voinovich (OH-R).

What are your current duties on Capitol Hill?

I am currently a staff assistant. I am mainly responsible for constituent correspondence, and scheduling tours for the senator. I also assist the press team with editorials and grant releases for the Senator.

What type of family were you raised in, and how has your upbringing shaped your political views?

My parents emigrated from the West Indies in the late 1970′s. And I feel that they brought a great sense and appreciation for hard work and integrity. Growing up, I spent every Sunday morning in Church, and I frequently remember family dinners in the evenings.

My with a total of twenty one aunts and uncles, my family certainly values and appreciates the importance of a strong family. Growing up, my parents gave the freedom to express myself through dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, and art. And, my parents allowed me to develop my unique personality, and keep me grounded by a deeply rooted faith.

Where did you attend College and what was the highest degree you attained?

I attended Miami University in Oxford, OH and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Speech Communication.

What were your experiences like as a College Student compared to your experiences as a Professional in the work-place?

As much as love and appreciate my alma mater, I did not spend much time on campus. During my four years at Miami of Ohio, I filled my schedule by volunteering at the local food pantry, Boys and Girls Club, and Girl Scouts in the local community. When not volunteering, I spent time studying abroad in Dominica and also doing community service in Guatemala. As a professional, I must admit that my work ethic has not changed much. When not working, I’m most likely working with my Girl Scout troop or volunteering at the Veteran’s Hospital’s nursing home.

What do you like the most about The United States?

What I enjoy most about the United States is that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve personal success with committed amount of hard work and determination. Literally, the sky is the limit! And I feel very blessed to have been born in a country that fosters this endless amount of personal freedom.

If there was one thing you could change the most about The United States and how would you accomplish this goal?

Despite the wonderful and numerous aspects of the United States, I truly wish more Americans would not take their freedoms for granted, especially young Americans. Too frequently we forget that we are blessed to have the opportunity to an all-access educational system; the freedom to practice personal religion; and the freedom to believe in various political ideologies without persecution. These are all blessings, and as youth, we shouldn’t take them for granted.

What attracted you to the Republican Party? Did some occurrence in your life influence you in your choice of your current party affiliation?

What attracted me to the Republican Party was its commitment to traditional values, fiscal conservative practices, and personal responsibility. It was essential the party that made common sense.

What are your beliefs and policies regarding the recent Healthcare Debate?

I personally believe that the federal government shouldn’t take on the task of creating a new public health insurance option. Instead, we should work on making sure the programs such as Medicare are fully funded and sustainable. We need to open up state lines to allow more options for insurance consumers. And propose legislation that will lower the cost and take into consideration pre-existing conditions.

What are your views about the economy and effective ways to pull the United States out of the current recession it is in?

I am an eternal optimist and feel that with great strength and perseverance our economy will improve. However, I believe all Americans (including Congress) needs to take into account our poor habit of frivolous spending. Congress needs to be more accountable for the type of legislation they are proposing, and its effects on our national debt. And individuals need practice pragmatic restraint in regards to their personal bank accounts. In the world of “I want it now, and got it yesterday”, a little tightening of our belts would not only serve us well as communities, better but our nation.

What do you think about the United States’ involvement in both Iraq and Afghanistan?

I am certainly not an expert on military strategy; however I do understand that fighting a radical ideology is not a winnable war. We should make sure that we as a country are not solely depending on hard power with the communities in the Far East, but balancing our hard hand with an extraordinary patience and understanding of soft power as well.

What are your policies concerning housing, financial assistance, and education for the low-income poor of the United States?

Funds are needed for those American’s who are truly struggling, and have come to their last option. However, our current system is broken; and the tremendous dependency on the government as Option A or Option B instead of the government being Option Z continues to cripple our communities. We need to embrace the importance of personal responsibility for the benefit of our individual households rather than depending on the federal and state governments to solve our problems.

What do you believe to be the future of education for our Nation’s children and our youth (18-22 yrs. Old)?

I believe the future of education will be an increase in access to more choices. With the advent of exponential educational bliss at your finger tips, we need to make sure that all children have access to an educational system that will help them grow personally, socially, and academically.

You worked at Americas Promise an organization started by Colin Powel? Have you met him and what are you thoughts regarding him?

Yes. I have met Colin Powell. He is one of my favorite republican leaders, and I regard him as a great role model. What I admire about General Powell is his tough stance on defense and international issues; and his practical approach to domestic problems bubbling within the United States.

What do you see as the differences between President Barrack Obama and RNC Chairman Michael Steele? Which do you think advocates better policies for the nation?

The major difference between President Barrack Obama and Chairman Steele, aside from political ideologies, is their communication style. While I believe in the policies that Chairman Steele promotes, I feel that President Obama is a maverick of persuasive communication.

Where do you see yourself in your political career five years from now?

Five years from now, I hope to be off the hill and volunteering for the GOP as a private citizen. I would like to become more active in local politics and hopefully become a fresh-faced surrogate for the Republican Party on a local and/or national level.

How do you think the Party can better each out to minorities?

I think the GOP can reach out to minorities by not harping on the flaws of the Democratic Party. Instead we should present conservative ideals as fundamental and practical solutions to everyday life.

Do you think the Party has to refocus attention to urban areas and if so why?

Absolutely! The climate of our country is changing, and there are now more families relocating to urban environments. Because of this influx, we should make sure that our message is one that not only touches the hearts of small town Americans, but up-and-coming urban communities as well.

Finally, if you were to run for President of the United States who would your ideal running mate be and why?

Foremost, the Presidency of the United States is not a position I would ever desire. From international diplomacy to economic stability and household welfare to education, there are too many issues I’d have to wholeheartedly advocate as the political leader for the entire county. And my personal issues lie solely at the heart of every home. I’d rather be the first lady, and focus on individual projects benefiting education, family values, and health care. Nevertheless, if I had to choose a running mate, my ideal candidate would be Mitt Romney. I admired his sense of economic development and leadership style.

How can readers keep up with what you are doing?

They can check out my website www.simplysophied.com a blog full ideas for everyday living ideas

Sophia, Thanks so much for sitting down with HipHopRepublican.com we wish you much success in you’re life.

www.simplysophied.com