We Care...I Think

I'm not exactly sure how they break down the demographics, if its 18-25 yr olds or 18-29 yr olds, but its the demographic that is least likely to vote in the upcoming November election. And though I know how the trend has been for the past presidential elections, I think this year's election could be a reverse in the trend. I know that being registered to vote and actually voting are completely different things but surprisingly to me the people I hang out with both from home and up here are registered to vote and are atleast paying some attention to this very important election. And while roaming the hallway while the debate was on I didn't notice anyone else watching the debate, at lunch I heard educated discussion of the debate and topics addressed.

We do care. Atleast on this college campus people are genuinely concerned and interested in our current political situation. We have to care. I find it hard when people say that this election will not affect me, and the candidates aren't discussing the topics that concern me. What? People fail to realized that initiatives during a presidency don't expire as the president leaves office but have long term effects towards everyone. Do I care about health care at 19? Of course I do. Not only are my grandparents and parents aging, but when I leave this joint called college I will be 22+ and oh yeah, will need health insurance. Do I care about Social Security? Once again as my parents edge closer and closer to retirement, there will have to be a means of supporting themselves. While those two issues don't directly involve me at this point in my life, the issues do effect me in a broader sense.

More pressing issues for me involve lowering the cost of education, the economy (including the availability of good jobs), National Security and other foreign and domestic issues. Why shouldn't the government be responsible for paying a greater percentage of my education? When after graduation I will put my knowledge to use right here America. When I do graduate with my degree I want to be able to find a sufficient job within 3-6 months of graduation. While I feel safe at home, I think the Patriot Act needs to be repealed and greater caution taken in limiting my rights guaranteed by the Constitution. I want answers for why we ever invaded Iraq, while letting Osama slip through our fingertips. What is our exit strategy? I want answers. I care. We care.

And while I say this I get a bad feeling inside me, that America continues its great slide towards being the most apathetic people to ever live. We must ask questions and demand answers. Standing with our leaders through it all will not cut it...Republican or Democrat. The President must be responsible for his actions. He must be held accountable. So in my first push of many prior to Tuesday November 2...go vote. Think about what values and ideas are central to yourself and where you want this country headed for the next 4 years and beyond. Vote!

(And on a side note on the debate itself, I think its fair to say, Democrat or Republican, for it or against it, that we MUST win the current conflict in Iraq. I don't think there is any debate over that, but President Bush and his cronies try to make it out as though they are the only ones who want us to WIN in Iraq. Bullshit. And if Bush tries to use the "Kerry voted to give me power to authorize war" one more time, so help me God. Kerry isn't denying he made that vote, BUT he made that vote based on intelligence and information given to him by the President and other agencies. And ULTIMATELY, President Bush is responsible for that information, whether it was the right information or the wrong information. And just because he was given authorization for war doesn't mean he had to go to war. Jackass!)