Young People are Narrow-Sighted
Having just passed my third decade, I’m absolutely appalled by how narrow-sighted young people have become. The departure of America from capitalism to selfishism has completely changed the electoral dynamic in this country. At one time people voted on principle: conservatives voted for smaller government, more individual liberty, business-friendly policies, and religious freedom; liberals on the other hand, voted to gain a larger, more centralized government, entitlements for the poor, elderly, and downtrodden, fewer moral restrictions, and the removal of religion as a central element of our society–principles no doubt that many on each side still espouse in their selections for public office. An increasing factor, however, has become the power of the selfish pocketbook in the political arena.
It is no secret that campaign financing has been a major issue over the past few years in U.S. elections, court battles, and public discourse. McCain-Feingold’s attempt to limit campaign contributions from corporations and special interest groups went down in flames when the Supreme Court decided that corporations have the same rights as individuals when it comes to promoting their interests. (Interesting topic as courts recently found that for-profit corporations cannot exercise religious liberty in the case of Hobby Lobby vs. Obamacare–a ruling that is being appealed.) Individuals, in a similar vein have become increasingly concerned about protecting their own financial interests in elections, in much the same way that corporations do. The major problem? Individuals vote while corporations do not. While buying, bribing, and blackmailing for votes is illegal; promising real and tangible economic benefits to specific key voting groups is not. President Obama did not have hoards of representatives at polling places handing out crisp twenties to everyone who promised to vote for the Democratic candidate, but he did promise to provide thousands of dollars in benefits to the youth, free healthcare to the poor, free assistance to the elderly, and free citizenship waivers to the young illegal immigrants in the form of differed action. Bribes? Maybe not. Bribes? Certainly.
News outlets reported today that 60% of voters under 30 years of age voted for Obama, though down from his high in 2008 of 2 in 3 young people, it was enough to push him over the finish line in key battle-ground states. Why? Again I ask why did so many young people vote for the democrat? Because they took the bribe–and forgot to read the fine print.
No doubt most people missed the key details–that annoying voice that spoke really fast at the end of every Obama campaign ad. In it’s entirety it went something like this:
“Young people of America, if you care about your education, your health, your aging parents, or your kitty at home you have no other choice than to vote for President Obama this November.
He will stand up for your right to have limitless unprotected intercourse with the other gender, your gender, or no gender at all. Plus he guarantees you free healthcare and will personally ensure that you will have double the funding from educational grants and limitless student loans.
The choice is clear! Vote for Obama for a funner, happier, and carefree lifestyle today!”
(Following in a fast, almost undecipherable voice:) This candidate makes no guarantees regarding the possibility of contracting incurable sexually transmitted diseases, a lifetime of regrets from your abortion(s), or likely limits to your future success. There is no such thing as a free lunch, free healthcare, or free college tuition; this is a loan that must be repaid in your future including low probability of finding a job out of college, no federal retirement, high inflation, and an unlikelihood of having a stable, happy family life. Vote Obama for a great now! No guarantees for your future!
Back to my point. Young people are too narrow-sighted to consider their future. Historically their natural desire for instant gratification would have been tempered by concern for their moral upbringing, consideration for their parents or grandparents, and a true appreciation for American values and freedom. All this is gone now–replaced by the seduction of lies, pandering, and bribery. Youth vote for a care-free present with no consideration for the day when the loan comes due–a debt we will all pay with interest.
O’Dowd
O'Dowd Politics 