So originally, this article was going to poke fun at a silly little experience I had in Scranton: a squirrel hopping along the sidewalk with a beer can in its mouth. And I was going to go on for some length discussing the absurdity of this scene and how, in my head, what I saw was neighborhood with so little concern for its environment that even the animals are appalled by people's blatant disregard for garbage. Surely, it is fun to assume the squirrel was consuming whatever low-grade beer may have been in the can, but I digress. I prefer to think of the little squirrel as a raging, vegetarian, Nader-loving, Green Peace activist (not that I know anything about that stereotype).
While I attempted to write out my original idea (starring my squirrel soul-twin), the great temptation that is Instant Messenger beckoned me. I gave in and began talking with a good friend about voting in this year's elections. He explained to me that he would not be voting this year because of an apparent lack of information for any candidate, which corresponds to a lack of conviction for any one candidate. This caused a debate between us, including sentimental proclamations, typed out from myself, to him, in caps to convey this great disdain for my apathetic friend, including the famous, "BUT PEOPLE HAVE DIED FOR YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!"
The argument ended. He will be playing his guitar on November 2, and the youth of America has lost yet another voice to self-proclaimed apathy.
Along with raising my blood pressure and my desire to abolish completely the two-party monopoly on our government, my friend got me thinking. Why exactly do some young people feel so alienated by politics, while others are completely empowered by them? How can we better reach out to all young voters? Why hasn't MTV's 20 million loud campaign embedded its message into my friend's head yet? But most importantly, I wonder why young people have the most potential to change the world yet are ignored by politicians.
I've watched every debate. I read several different news sources, have some friends who identify with the Republican, Democrat, Green, and Socialist parties and talk to professors ranging from Fraustino to (insert almost any other professor's name here). I actively write to my senators and call the White House to express my support or rejection of bills under review. However, I have yet to see a politician sincerely attempt to reach out to the youth of America. Some of us worry about paying for school, yet I have not seen Kerry or Bush address how to help students pay for higher education, themselves. Many of us make minimum wage, or slightly higher while we are students and this has yet to be addressed in detail as well. The Military needs people our age to continue to defend our country and go to war, yet how often does a politician make him or herself "youth friendly?" There are a lot of issues being debated that will have a direct affect on the younger generations, even if we have yet to realize this.
I do not intend to place all the blame for voter apathy solely on politicians. I think it is both a remarkable personal responsibility and a necessity to stay afloat in political news. We can make a difference. We must make our voices heard. Whether you're green, red, left or right, please take your responsibility as a citizen seriously and inform yourself about each candidate and then voice your opinion on who should be elected. For a few minutes a day you can read a newspaper, check out a website or two, talk to someone you respect, and gain a better understanding of our political system. Just Vote. It makes a difference.
And please don't litter when walking to and from class/parties/whatever. It's a sad sight when a squirrel has to take responsibility for cleaning up after our messes. Thanks.