Name Your Credentials

[ZuWo]

My credentials are pretty mediocre. I have never missed a vote or election, am well-informed when it comes to politics in Switzerland but lack in-depth knowledge about politics in most other countries. I try not to make up my mind regarding a political issue prematurely and do some reading before I decide how I stand on a certain issue. But that's basically it.

[ZuWo]

What is everyone's credentials on politics, economics, and other current events?  Please explain why I or anyone else on the forum should take your opinions seriously.  I'll be honest; I'm just a teen with some opinions.  A fairly well-read and informed person, but one with little experience in the "real world".  How about you?

Prompted by this exchange:

Got to love the armchair experts in this thread Atlas.

Seriously. Outside the 3 or 4 actual professionals here, doesn't that constitute all of us?

I ran for office in 2003 in PEI provincially
I was also the president of the PEI NDP youth wing.
I ran for office in 2006 in Toronto municipally
I predicted, riding by riding, the 2011 election in Canada closer than anyone else, like, in the world
More importantly:
I am Teddy

How many votes did you receive in your two runs for office?