To come at the issue for a rather radically different perspective, I think one of the reasons you see a measure of youth disengagemnt from the process is that youth aren't really allowed to be a part of the complete process. Sure they can vote at 18, but they can't run for Congress until they're 25, the Senate until they're 30, the Presidency until they're, y'know, OLD...

Hell, I'd be terrified of a 24 year old President and I can't imagine a scenario where I would vote for one...but I think our society and our laws explicitly tell young people that they're not ready for politics, that they're not mature enough for it.

This obviously isn't the whole story, as this blog and the other commentators have pointed out, but it is a stupid part of the story.

Posted at March 7, 2008 3:18 PM in response to “Youth Issues” Are Everyone’s Issues

Yep, BBpdx and beve83 are completely right - at least about this election cycle.

If Senator Clinton can somehow deny Senator Obama the nomination, I think very few us are going to show up in November (I'm 29). Sure, at the end of the day I'll probably vote - not that it will matter since I live in DC. But what I won't do: fundraise, make calls, knock on doors, etc.

There's plenty of other "good works" in the community that equally deserve my time. I'd rather spend it with Casey Trees or Miriam's Kitchen than help getting Senator Clinton and her coterie back in the White House.

Posted at March 6, 2008 2:40 PM in response to The First of Many “Thirds” – Youth Organizing Beyond 2008