2009 Election Project

Gearing up for the summer before the 2009 presidential election, it became clear that the two parties were polarized and issues would not be at the core of the historic election. Whether it was the words of a sermon at a church you attended, or the number of years spent in captivity behind enemy lines, the true impact of the election was diluted with fluff to distract the American people from what was truly at stake. What resulted was a realization that the younger generation, the people whose lives would be shaped the longest by the decisions made by career politicians twice our age, did not have a voice to demand a focus on the impact of  the election.

Here is my manifesto for the voices of our generation that got lost in the political circus:

What is fundamentally at stake in this election is the ability for our country to move forward. The past 8 years have lead so many members of our generation to lose faith in the benefits and possibilities that government can afford us. In this election we finally have the chance to decide what change truly means. We have the chance to allow our voices to be heard. We have the chance to be the DARK HORSE in this election.

Katrina, four dollar gas, a trillion dollar war, rising unemployment, deregulated housing market, global warming, people of all ages dying without health insurance. It’s time for all of this to end.

WE care about the war that our generation is being called upon to fight.

NOT the adults who send us into these foreign countries.

WE care about the cost of education as we are the ones who are attending these institutions.

NOT speculating about the costs of education by adults who haven’t stepped foot inside a school for 30 years.

WE care about the abortions that are/are not being allowed to occur to our bodies.

NOT old infertile women who will never have to worry about having another child.

WE care about the ability to find a job after graduating college/find a job directly out of high school.

NOT how we can perpetuate jobs and skills that will be inconsequential in 10 years

WE care about the environment and how it is clearly changing.

NOT the easy way out, getting enough oil or energy to last through the rest of YOUR life.

WE care about preventing sickness and illness

NOT slow diagnosis and funding corrupt pharmaceutical companies.

For too many years career politicians and old male and female broadcasters have speculated about the issues that are important for the future. ENOUGH speculation from out of touch adults. It’s time for us to speak up and identify what matters to us. This is our country just as much as theirs, and it will be our country long after they’re gone.

Advertisement