This country fucking hates young people. HAAAATES EM! We don’t provide health care to the many youths, we don’t support the public education system (Give me a NCLB-fucking break!), and we certainly don’t mind shipping them off to police the world and nation build. What gets me is this: Why is there STILL such a lack of interest some semblance of knowledge among young people in the realm of politics?
I have had three conversations about politics with three of my lucky peers in the past week that have gone something like this:
A-Hole: So, Obama eh? That dude is a fucking rockstar.
Me: Yeah, he’s got a pretty big following.
A-Hole: “Pretty big following?” Your crazy bro’. He is fucking nasty; got’s some mad bitches at his rallies!
Me: Oh, did you go to the one in Rodney Square?
A-Hole: Nahh… My grandmom was watchin’ CNN and he was talkin’ and I saw some hotties in the background.
Me: Yeah, well he’s got a ton of young people going to see him talk and shit. You know, watching him on YouTube and all.
A-Hole: Oh, I’ve never gone to see him or watched him on YouTube or anything, but I’m DEF voting for him. It’ll be cool to see a black dude as president and all.
Me: So you haven’t heard what he has to say and you’re gonna vote for him?
A-Hole: Fuck yeah dude. You’re not?
Me: Not sure yet. I like a lot of what he has to say, but I don’t agree with it all.
A-Hole: Your crazy dude. He DEF gonna win. You’d be a sucker not to hop on the train now.
Not only did I blow my fucking brains out when I got home, I threw up before I did it. I am a young man (23 and bar mitzvah’d, hence “young” and “man.”), but it is clear as fucking day to me that this is ‘No Country’ for me and my fellow young’ins.
May 15, 2008 at 1:38 am
Very good. And I am happy to be your first commenter on you first post. Rock on.
May 15, 2008 at 2:09 am
Ha… word. Hopefully there will be many more for ya to get your fix on.
May 15, 2008 at 6:55 am
Don’t judge all young people by that idiot. I have been really impressed with the youth this election season. Many of them are quite informed, and many older voters are saying, “but, dude, McCain’s a war hero.”
Idiots all around us.
Good luck!
May 15, 2008 at 8:42 am
Pandora,
I agree…..somewhat. Yes, I too am impressed by the energy and enthusiasm young people have shown this primary season, showing up to polls in record numbers. However, energy, enthusiasm, and numbers does not necessarily mean knowledge. I would bet my life that 80-90% of people under 28 could not tell you who a) the two warring factions of Iraqis are, b) whether or not the Federal Reserve is run by the government or is a private entity, and c) what health care mandates are.
These are 3 huge issues in America. I just wish my peers were a little bit more informed to go along with all that enthusiasm.
Oh, but dude, John McCain IS a war hero! (sarcasm)
Thanks for checking me out!
May 15, 2008 at 9:13 am
Information comes after interest. Or after the first debate where they get their ass whooped. Most people become involved in politics because of one issue i.e. abortion, the Iraq war, etc. As they learn more about the issue that made them sit up and take notice most, not all, will expand their data base. Example: Iraq war = use of tax dollars = social issues (as in How many people could have healthcare if we weren’t funding the Iraq War?) Grabbing their attention is the first step.
May 15, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Exactly…. which is why we are here posting things like “young people suck.” They need people telling them how apathetic they are in order for them to actually take notice. It just pisses me off when we see people voting based on “hotties” and who will win.
May 15, 2008 at 2:02 pm
When I looked around Rondey Square on Feb.3rd I was inspired by the youth there but less so than by the ethnic diversity.Not long ago I thought little of the teen to twenties crowd. Now I blame their parents.One can be very self-righteous at 40 with no kids.
May 16, 2008 at 1:55 am
The ethnic diversity is truly something. Working in a fine dining restaurant, I really do get to see the largest range of not only ethnic groups, but socioeconomic groups as well. For example, tonight I overheard a table of ten discussing Barack Obama. The overwhelming majority seemed to support him from what I could hear. After hearing bits and and pieces of their conversations, I began talking to another bartender about the race. Later in the night, we were in the kitchen STILL talking about it, when a few of the cooks came over to chime in on our conversation. The cooks included a few Hispanics and one black dude. They knew what they were talking about too, which was refreshing. That is what amazes me; how a conversation between 10 (white) lawyers most likely making 6 figures could filter on to a conversation between 4-5 (mixed race) restaurant workers making low (and by low i mean the teens) 5 figures without missing a beat. That is the big story in my opinion.