2008 Woodie Awards
The US; a nation for us
Jeffrey Sawyer
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Post
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I was doing my homework the other night and something that I read sort of struck me. The section I was reading was explaining the imperfections and shortcomings of democracy. When I came across the book's criticism of our democracy I was not surprised when it described America, as a whole, being politically apathetic.
That is a pretty harsh judgment of the American people. When it comes to issues that matter to all of us do we really just not care all that much? Or simply believe that our vote does not matter?
This prompted me to look up some statistics. In the last US election, voters under the age of 30 only had a 47 percent turnout in the presidential election. Total voter turnout in 2004 was just over 60 percent. According to the Youth Vote Coalition, those under-30 voters count for nearly one quarter of the voting population in the US. That is a huge portion of the vote, and gives them a lot of political pull. Politicians in general don't pay as much attention to young people. It's a simple fact that a higher percentage of people over 30 vote than those of us who are under 30. When we are currently in a war to spread freedom and democracy, shouldn't we be participating in our own?
This quick assessment and stereotype of Americans hit home a little more when I remembered a friend recently stating, "I voted for Bush because he had a nice smile." I know young America has a small voter turnout, but do we even pay attention to the issues?
The last several years have been anything but smooth sailing for this country. We have entered a long war and some would say that our civil liberties have been tread upon. Whether or not you agree with the war in the Middle East or the Patriot Act, they affect most, if not all of us. Other issues that students should consider are things such as minimum wage and the costs of education. The economy is a big issue that is relevant to us. How well the economy is doing when we graduate will have a direct effect on how many jobs are available when we enter the job market. I point out these issues only to show what these politicians are doing, or not doing, in Washington does and will influence our lives.
That is a pretty harsh judgment of the American people. When it comes to issues that matter to all of us do we really just not care all that much? Or simply believe that our vote does not matter?
This prompted me to look up some statistics. In the last US election, voters under the age of 30 only had a 47 percent turnout in the presidential election. Total voter turnout in 2004 was just over 60 percent. According to the Youth Vote Coalition, those under-30 voters count for nearly one quarter of the voting population in the US. That is a huge portion of the vote, and gives them a lot of political pull. Politicians in general don't pay as much attention to young people. It's a simple fact that a higher percentage of people over 30 vote than those of us who are under 30. When we are currently in a war to spread freedom and democracy, shouldn't we be participating in our own?
This quick assessment and stereotype of Americans hit home a little more when I remembered a friend recently stating, "I voted for Bush because he had a nice smile." I know young America has a small voter turnout, but do we even pay attention to the issues?
The last several years have been anything but smooth sailing for this country. We have entered a long war and some would say that our civil liberties have been tread upon. Whether or not you agree with the war in the Middle East or the Patriot Act, they affect most, if not all of us. Other issues that students should consider are things such as minimum wage and the costs of education. The economy is a big issue that is relevant to us. How well the economy is doing when we graduate will have a direct effect on how many jobs are available when we enter the job market. I point out these issues only to show what these politicians are doing, or not doing, in Washington does and will influence our lives.
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