Being a part of Generation Y, and having through certain movements in politics forced an interest in such, it is important to see how Generation Y affects and will affect politics in the future.
Generation Y is not just mad, but -disgusted- at this administration. We simply don't understand it. We can't comprehend the racism involved in the 'Southern Strategy', we don't understand the need for these bans on gay marriage, we see gas prices going up - but why? The war in Iraq, well---we fight it (roughly)--- and we want out.
We feel we are the product of one of the most idiotic generations to exist ( and I am not just saying this as rant against the parents of my generation). We love Jimmy Carter, we don't know why you all didn't. Ronald Reagan is seen as weird and extremist. Bill Clinton is seen as a normal guy, but a really smart guy. And Bush is a chimp-- he is a monkey--- really. What does this all mean Though?
I live in the TX dirty seventh--- a hotbed of the evangelical christian movement. Though even we here, us Gen Y'ers see the destructiveness of the Republican Party, and we're looking for Democrats to guide us--- even the evangelicals.
In my school district, the comparatively Posh district of Cy fair, with its mall- like schools and classrooms that would make governmental departments envious--- we didn't and still aren't receiving 'all' of our books. Why---the Republicans. Thats right, kids in texas don't have school books.
Surprise!
We also saw the kids that came from Louisiana, Katrina battered victims mainly. It is horrible. We don't understand how everything went so wrong---where was Bush? Eating Cake! oh we understood that one.
We don't understand the fight about abortion. The honest to god truth--- the minimum wage has to be raised and proper sex ed must be taught. It is as simple as that. We don't understand how keeping the minimum wage so low will help a woman raise a child. Why - not - get an abortion, what other choices are there other than sacrificing your child to the beaurocracy gods? Oh, but we see that abortions/ child pregnancies/ and the death of the family has come into question. We all see it.
When a group of Republicans wants to debate a group of Democrats, we always talk about torture. Republicans defend torture---- Democrats ask why, and how. The majority of those that listen are disgusted. There are former republican voters that listen to the discussion, and immediately make a vow to never vote republican again.
But we don't really know where to turn. Where are the Democrats? Are they all just John Kerrys???? Apologizing for things they did in the past, while failing to make a case to us as to why we should vote. Nobody cares that we have to pay 3 times as much as everyone else for college. Nobody cares we fight the Iraq War. Nobody cares that kids that work only work to fill up the tanks in their cars because that is all they can afford. Nobody cares that even we pay these taxes, and we don't even get the books that we pay for!
That is why we don't vote.
Yes, we are probably more radical than you can imagine. Embrace us Democratic Party---we are your future.
We want solutions, and we'll vote for a competent person who uses government effectively. Nobody is pro- welfare queen---but we see a need to feed poor kids. We know how much a doctors appt. cost! We see the bill also--- and we're not looking for a hand out.
We're looking for a hand up.
We're looking for a government that is a means to an end.
The NYTimes just posted an article about how much money the government will SAVE with increased education spending. We want that, we want to know that if we make the grades and work hard enough, even we can go to Harvard.
Not just the already- rich white kids.
We're sick of the racism and sick of the Homophobia. In fact, our generation I would say is disgusted at all others because of your appeasment to hate. We are all people, we don't understand how you as supposed 'elders' can't see that.
Democratic Party, we're here and ready to do our part. But stand up for sanity-- we're looking for a way to the future, not a government of special interests. Can the nation handle that?