Youths who don't vote get fleeced
The second reason for the low voter turnout among young people has to do with their busy schedules and self-centered mentalities. Piled with school work and anxiety over their individual futures, students don't have time to think about issues facing the larger community. As Ginsberg said, "Students displaced from their homes are anomic and not part of a political community, so they are less likely to vote. People who have more free time are more closely tied to the community, like the retired, and are more likely to vote." George Pataki, a 22-year-old from Queens, said to USA Today, "It's not that I don't care. It's just that I've got more things to worry about, like myself."
But is it really true that politics have no affect on our youthful lives? No, it is not. There are many issues that will have major consequences for us both now and later.
In my last article I pointed out that the drinking age is higher in the U.S. than anywhere in the world. One reason that alcohol policies have not been revised is that those aged 18 to 21, who have the most immediate desire for an alcohol policy change, seldom participate in politics.
However, this issue does not affect all young people, as not all young people drink. But all young people do pay taxes. And these taxes are subject to major changes based on our response to one of the greatest problems facing the country today: the social security and Medicare dilemma. The problem is that the government has promised retirees vastly more money than they can give at present levels of taxation. And, as Arthur Melzer, professor of political science at MSU said, "There are two ways to solve it: One is to cut benefits, affecting the older. The other is to increase taxes, affecting the younger. Any such problem will be solved to the benefit of those who vote more [such as] the older."
Many young people feel that voting is irrational as their vote is mathematically unlikely to count. But voting is more than a numbers game. Voting is, as Ginsberg said, "the best way we have for people to express their views and hold the people in power accountable for their actions." If Ginsberg's reasoning does not convince you to vote, then perhaps Professor Melzer's will: "If you don't vote, you get fleeced: Policy will favor those who vote over those who don't."
But is it really true that politics have no affect on our youthful lives? No, it is not. There are many issues that will have major consequences for us both now and later.
In my last article I pointed out that the drinking age is higher in the U.S. than anywhere in the world. One reason that alcohol policies have not been revised is that those aged 18 to 21, who have the most immediate desire for an alcohol policy change, seldom participate in politics.
However, this issue does not affect all young people, as not all young people drink. But all young people do pay taxes. And these taxes are subject to major changes based on our response to one of the greatest problems facing the country today: the social security and Medicare dilemma. The problem is that the government has promised retirees vastly more money than they can give at present levels of taxation. And, as Arthur Melzer, professor of political science at MSU said, "There are two ways to solve it: One is to cut benefits, affecting the older. The other is to increase taxes, affecting the younger. Any such problem will be solved to the benefit of those who vote more [such as] the older."
Many young people feel that voting is irrational as their vote is mathematically unlikely to count. But voting is more than a numbers game. Voting is, as Ginsberg said, "the best way we have for people to express their views and hold the people in power accountable for their actions." If Ginsberg's reasoning does not convince you to vote, then perhaps Professor Melzer's will: "If you don't vote, you get fleeced: Policy will favor those who vote over those who don't."
Be the first to comment on this story