Political Statement

There’s been a lot of criticism towards the younger generation in regard to their voter apathy.  They say that more people vote for American Idol than vote in the presidential elections. Why are so many young people choosing not to take part in politics?  Why are they shirking this great privilege and responsibility?  Is it because they’re lazy?  Is it because they are self-centered?  Is it because they just don’t care? 

I’d like to suggest something else:  Maybe we’re not getting involved in politics because you can see the same behavior in a first grade classroom, just without the suits and ties.  I’m being cruel.  Forgive me for making such a harsh statement—I apologize to all first graders for associating their behavior with what I’ve been seeing on T.V.

Why aren’t young people voting?  Maybe it’s because the very things I’m trying to teach in my classroom are contradicted in every single political commercial I’ve seen this year.  Things like, be kind, tell the truth, work together, don’t skew facts to get what you want, be respectful, be human.  Quite frankly, if my students were to behave like the potential leaders of our country, I would send them to the office…and I don’t mean the Oval Office.  Disgraceful is the only adjective that comes to mind when I watch a political debate. 

I mean seriously?  Seriously?!  I have watched two debates, nearly 3 hours worth, that could be boiled down to this single statement: “The other guy’s an idiot.”  Really, I’m not kidding.  This sums up what I’ve heard.  It’s what is really being said underneath what’s being said. 

Why aren’t young people voting? Maybe it’s because we’re so dang confused!  Both presidential candidates would have me believe the other is a lying fool (watch the debates and tell me I’m wrong), so who are we suppose to believe?  I have dear friends from both political perspectives who are equally convincing when explaining why their candidate should be elected.  “Research for yourself and come to a conclusion”, someone might suggest.  Oh, really, is it that easy?  Unfortunately I don’t have a big enough shovel to dig through all the crap that’s being propagated on both sides.  In the past weeks I have witnessed more dubious statistics tossed around than poo thrown in a monkey cage at the zoo.  And yes, from both parties.  7% this—42 million that—half of all so-and-so’s—1/3 of all bla, bla, blas.  Always contradicting the other and always backed by 300 studies.  I’m so lost it’s not even funny.

Alex Altman explains in the latest edition of TIME magazine, “As it stands, the very notions of fact and truth are employed in American politics as much to distort as to reveal. And until the voting public demands something else, not just from the politicians they oppose but also from the ones they support, there is little reason to suspect that will change.”

Why aren’t young people voting?  Maybe it’s because we’re sick of all the garbage and want something better, something respectable, something worth voting for (not just something worth voting against).  Should the person who is elected President really be chosen because the other guy was worse?  Should I tally up the misleading statements and vote for the candidate who lies less?  I laugh when I think of the Bible passage that instructs believers to think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy—does this mean we can’t get involved in politics?

In all seriousness, this generation has been repelled by the ugliness of the political world. The current situation has bred a generation of politically skeptical youth.  We are like teenagers fleeing an ugly home situation.

To be clear, I did not writing this article to suggest that avoiding the polls is the best way to deal with all the drama.  I am going to vote.  However, I am saying that if our Nation wants to see an increase in voter turnout in the future, it would be wise to change the game.  Is it too much to ask for an honest election in which the candidates do more than skew facts and degrade their opponent?  Is it out of the question for presidential possibilities to foster a campaign that doesn’t hinge on finger pointing and name-calling?  Is it possible to have an election that actually generates positive excitement about our country’s future? 

Until then, it’s safe to say more votes will be cast for the next American Idol than for the next President of the United States.