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Post by minx on Nov 19, 2023 11:14:39 GMT -5
Read an article today that said it will be difficult to get younger voters out and involved next year because the candidates are two old men, and they don't see anything in it for themselves.
What the actual fuck?? They don't "See Anything in it for THEMSELVES?"
How about democracy and free speech? Do they see that in their future? Freedom to move about as they wish? Freedom to protest? Freedom to control their own bodies, and be able to even seek medical care (assuming they can actually pay for anything - Buh-Bye ACA!)?
The choice is pretty clear this time around - if it comes down to Trump or Biden, you can vote in a dictatorship where you'll be jailed or worse for expressing anything not totally in line with his views, or you can vote for president and try and preserve what freedoms we have left.
And if you want to see someone your own age, then you'll need to convince younger people to step up and run.
I'm pretty sick of younger people complaining that no one sees their needs, then refusing to step on election day (Hello, Bernie Bros!). Be the change you want to see.
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Nov 19, 2023 12:38:43 GMT -5
Isn't it true that young people in general historically just DGAF about politics and even less about voting? I remember when MTV started really pushing for them to vote during HWB v Clinton election. I also remember Obama's campaign making a concerted effort to that end as well, but here we are having the same discussions about that demographic's interest to the point of idnignation.
What I'm saying is the age thing probably has less to do with it than just the general attitudes of those probably not really all that well educated in politics and civics because they are living their lives without the added burden of our completely obnoxious political divisions.
One thing I always tell people that gets both kinds of laughs, is that I failed Government as a senior in High School and had to take it during summer school to graduate. I was 17 at the time but carried the same indignation to the subject well into my 20s. I did vote when I turned 18 but only in the Presidential Elections and without any real understanding of the issues. Also was a time when a lot of people wouldn't tell you who they voted for or why. It was not part of my family's dinner conversation. Ever. I was also working, chasing tail, running all over hell's half acre, partying, working some more, hanging out with the guys talking about the new records we bought, our cars, that girl in those jeans, not Ronald fucking Reagan.
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Post by minx on Nov 20, 2023 10:12:21 GMT -5
I guess I was pushed to vote early. My maternal grandmother was first generation Irish, and my best friend's mom was first generation Norwegian and they took the right to vote very seriously. And politics was always debated over family holidays.
And my major in college was Television and Radio Communications - I did news for the college radio station which meant trudging into town to cover town council meetings. Many boring meetings, but that's where I also learned that local politics were shit important too - the town had a minor floor, and one of the small one-lane bridges was heavily damaged. I was at the meeting where the debate over whether to replace it or not came up, along with my shining moment as a reporter, cause I finally asked a real question - "This is Deidre Doyle with ICB-FM news. Am I hearing correctly that the bridge will not be replaced? Can you explain the decision in light of the amount of foot and vehicle traffic prior to it being damaged?" Oh yeah, I was FAMOUS! FAMOUS - other news outlets mentioned me and my question! And enough permanent residents of the town called the mayor and town council that they ended up reversing their decision and fixing the damn bridge!
That's when I say that who you vote for locally makes a big difference. And I actually changed my residency once I moved off campus so I could vote in local elections.
So I guess I've always been more passionate about it than most, including my spawn!
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Nov 20, 2023 10:47:52 GMT -5
That's what we refer to as the exception, not the rule. Even with the more let's call it "experienced" folks, only about half of them vote in any given election. Even that number is padded given the participation is usually even less during the mid-terms and state/local elections. I recall someone emoting a couple of weeks ago (more like crying in his beer) about "only 47% voter turnout" which is something you almost NEVER hear coming from the Partlow Contingent. I held my tongue and only let out a slight giggle. Just wait until Abigail Spanberger unseats Youngkin, they'll be passing out where they sit over at Sourmeltz.
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Post by minx on Nov 20, 2023 11:32:26 GMT -5
Hahahahaha!
I'd go there just that once to see the reactions on their mugs!
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