I believe...

"the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way."

I know, quoting a sappy 1984 Whitney Houston hit is so not like me, however, at this time I think it's appropriate.

Much is being said about generational politics of late. The Boomers are pissed that the Gen-Xers are actually involving themselves in the political process. Funny, weren't they always harping about how Xers were lazy and apathetic and didn't care about anything? Well, guess what? We care and we want our voices to be heard.

The number of youth voters that have participated so far in the current election process is astounding. The candidates' ability to rally up grassroots youth support is going to be a deciding factor in this primary. It is a whole different game. With MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, the blogoshpere, etc. candidates are reaching the younger voter in their own world. Whoda thunk it?

Democrat/Republican, black/white, male/female, experience/integrity, christian/mormon, hope/fear, yada/blahblah. All of these are factors, but I think it is gearing up to be a generational war -- and a war of independents. I actually read a comment on the NY Times online today that basically said "young voters aren't knowledgable and don't know the ways of the world, so why should they get a say in the matter" (paraphrasing here, but that's the gist). WHAT? It is their right to vote - even if they have different views from you, old timer! Needless to say I had a few choice words in reply to the poor old sap.

That is part of the problem. The older generation doesn't think the young whipper-snapper generation is as smart as they are. Hmm? Ok, well, we've been doing it your way and look where that has gotten us. Boomed us right into debt, recession, climate crisis and a very good chance there won't be any social security left. Thanks. We appreciate the effort, but may want to try something new if that's ok.

As James T. Harris clarifies in his blog "The National Conversation", "the 'young people' are...adults". When did that happen? He goes on to talk about a "generational shift". It is this shift that is direcly going to effect this election. Those young people are adults now and it is their future we are gambling with. Most of the older voters are scared of change. Understandable, but we need to start the process to get the change we need for our future, and our children's futures now - and you might not be around to see it. Harsh, but true.


"Everybody's searching for a hero; people need someone to look up to" -- agh, there I go again.

Harris also says that "young people love the Chocolate Jesus" in obvious reference to Obama (who, by the way, he does not support). It's true and you might want to take notice why. He represents a new kind of politics, a new, positive way to the future. A way to potentially heal the wounds of our nation. A way to show the world what we really stand for...hope and change. The freedom to say what we believe even if it isn't what you want to hear. A face to show the rest of the world that we are not so different from you and we do care.

I'm not saying he can even live up to all of the expectations we've already put on him. I'm not sure anyone can, but to the younger generation he is someone they can relate to and not just another older politician telling them what they can and can't do. I can't pretend to be a part of the "youth" vote, for as I'm pushing 40, I'm reluctantly calling myself (wait, stop the car, I feel nauseous) middle-aged, but I do understand their excitement at what seems to be a movement toward a new style of politics. And, as an older GenXer, I'm just as excited as they are about being a part of it.

Do not underestimate the power of a youth movement. They have the intelligence, the belief, the need and the energy to do almost anything. It will be interesting to see what they do.