OK Millennials, Let's talk about voting

[leftieNanner]

You didn't show up for the election on November 4th. You were busy. You were uninspired by the Democratic candidates. You wanted them to be bravely progressive. You wanted them to "speak to you". Me too. I'm a very progressive 61 year old woman who ALWAYS votes, and I was hoping to hear more courage and conviction from the people running for office as well.

HOWEVER -

By your not voting, you may have unleashed:

Making contraceptives more difficult to get, or possibly even illegal
The end of the EPA
The end of Roe v. Wade
The dismantling of our voting rights (already under way in many red states)
More and more and more wars
Workplace protections - gone
50 state Medicaid expansion - gone
Affordable Care Act - gone
Social Security and Medicare - privatized (Oh, don't worry, you'll never be old and won't ever get sick)
Changes in Red state Electoral College votes, making it easier for the Republicans to take the White House

Do you really think these are OK?
Do you really want your future ruled by these right wing nut bags???

You are our future. You are smart and hard working. You have lots of great ideas for our country.

Put a note in your I Phone for the next election, and every single F-ing one after that - VOTE!

[bravenak]

1. You might want to take that message to the streets.

The ones here vote.
And THEY did not UNLEASH anything.
It is old conservative boomers that unleash those things.

[Cirque du So-What]

24. And those 'old conservative boomers' vote

along with old members of the 'silent generation' and 'greatest generation' - and so it will be with the old genXers and millennials when their biological clocks reach that stage. The operative word here is VOTE, and although the millennials HERE vote, it doesn't make up for all those who don't.

[bravenak]

26. So admonishing millenials here who already vote serves what purpose?

And blaming them for the bad policies brought down on us by our elders increases our likelyhood to vote?

We are not stupid. We know when we are being shafted and who is doing the shafting. Older americans write the bills that hurt us. Then the other half of them blame us for not stopping THEIR peers from devastating us.

Telling us that we are whiny babies when we ask that our needs be included, demanding our votes without giving policy that helps us. We can see. The party want our votes without our input. They won't get them by making demands, blaming, threatening, or fear of losssing. We can walk around ourselves and get issues put in the ballot and wait for the party to dtart speaking our language. As we know, millenials will be around for a long fucking time. We may just have to wait and reverse all of the damage as fast as we can as much as possible when we are allowed ANY power..

The slient generation wont be around forever, neither will boomers. Tine to increase the party by numbers and ideas. We are just not that into who and what the democratic party provides for us right now. The message is stale and not inclusive of all the base.

Scorpions or Anthrax. I'll take kitties.

[Cirque du So-What]

29. I've felt the same way for years

but it hasn't stopped me from voting for the most progressive candidates nominated. I hope your generation meets greater success than I've seen in my lifetime. As for the 'whiny' part, you'll see none of that from me.

[bravenak]

32. I believe we will.

Not all of us are adults yet. Voting rates will increase for us intil we die. We are liberal in our generation and already as a generation we are more inclusive of others, not just tolerant, we want everybody to be included in our society as equals. Republicans see this. They know that if Democrats stick to their values they have our generation sewn up. So they get Dems to do stupid shit to push us away. And they fall for it everytime.
Like the whole ignoring your base to pull conservative voters thing and wondering why your base 'forgot' to vote.

[marions ghost]

59. I get that the Millennials

are seeing the situation correctly--that we live in a time of extreme greed and corruption in government that is driving the whole country down the wrong road. I get that the Millenials don't see much connection between who they vote for and elected leaders taking steps in the right direction. It's obvious that government is not working for the people so why put a lot of stock in voting? Makes sense to me. The Millennials rightly want to see results. They don't see results happening using traditional means. That is the truth that hurts. I get that.

But I think you are naive in thinking you can do it so much better --that all the Milennials have to do is wait til the Boomers die off. The scary thing is that many of the Boomers shared your ideals when they were your age. And were ground under by the Powers that Be then, the WW2 gen--the Poppy Bushes. Divided and conquered. Scared into compliance by the Reagan economy.

DO NOT be fooled. The real power comes from ALL of us of ANY generation who are on the same page --working together. Not that Millennials won't distinguish themselves--you will and it's encouraging the solidarity you have. But do not be fooled into thinking the same thing can't happen to you. The forces against those of us who want a responsive democracy are very strong--if you think you can just outlive the Boomers and all will be well--that's an illusion it would be best to rethink.

It is a critical time for all of us. All generations.

[appalachiablue]

49. They God D. better listen to you, the powers, leaders I mean. You are the Future, You have the Power

believe it. I think millenials are beautiful, their love, diversity, expansion, new frontiers in tech and other areas. What's happening in the arts, science is so cool. Your energy, your youth, and your creativity are your strength. It's amazing, wonderful to see in spite of the lousy circumstances in the US now especially.
Old goats had this once, when young, and they may be unconsciously jealous, insecure, nasty or seemingly indifferent-authorities like teachers, bosses, parents whatever. But they're 'finishing' life and it ain't pretty.

Try to not let them even phase you, really. Easy for me to say, but we were young once too. (And nobody ever told me this stuff). And you know what, we'll/ they'll be dead, soon and then the world is yours!
You will have a terrific future if some major issues can start being tackled to rebuild this country. Make it a progressive, fascinating new world. You can do it, keep confident, intuitive and open in your life.

You don't need any lectures or scolding. I understand your disappointment, but try to get out there, show the forces that you are a large, powerful group. Your UNITY is strong. Make DEMANDS, don't give up. ('If you don't try, you can't win', Eliz. Warren). Powers must realize all this, if not they're suicidal.
The world you've entered sucks. But it can get better. The main reason I'm around is two incredible millenials that I love and who give purpose to my life.

For what it's worth, this Boomer cares deeply, wants to see you treated right, respected and successful whatever your path. You deserve so much. There were 5 of us Boomer kids, we and our cousins are in 10 states now, like 40+ of us, we VOTE and we're all Liberals, not a toad Tory in the bunch, not even close.
We're pulling for you all the way! Stay strong and well. (I get worked up about this & mean no harm).

[bravenak]

50. Thank you.

I don't mean to sound bitter, I'm not. I just see alot of work for us to do to make things right for our children once we are allowed into the party. I know that they will wise up if they lose again. Just want to prevent that.
It does make me feel better to know that many agree with us that the needs of the base should be what we work for. It helps everybody, even conservatives. I think the future will be brighter, we just need new ideas and new talent.

[davidpdx]

47. What I find incredulous is that someone on DU was complaining that there is age

discrimination on DU toward the older members. Maybe so, but it seems like when this kind of "well the Millennials don't vote" crap is posted it is just as bad. No, it's hypocritical.

[bravenak]

48. Yes.

I was called ageist myself for saying it is older people who make the bad policy we all have to live with.

[roguevalley]

56. there was a post a few days ago where a millennial said give us someone to vote for and we will vote

I was pissed because what's keeping their butt nailed to the floor. Go out and get candidates to support and work for issues. Whining and saying you won't vote because you don't like the field is bullshit. I am old and never missed an election in my life. I didn't whine and boo how. I worked, voted every time, made calls etc. If you don't like things, change them. It is impossible for me to even listen to people who don't vote. Even the red necks I know agree with me on this. You didn't vote? Stfu.

You will live longer in shit than I will. If you do and don't vote don't look for someone to blame. Find a mirror.

[davidpdx]

57. Don't look at me, I voted

I am not a millennial, I'm actually a Gen X.

The issue I was referring to is someone griping about older people being looked down upon. My point is clearly it can go both ways and the OP is kind of saying fuck you millennials. Clearly that's a pretty divisive tactic in my book. That was what I was saying.

Maybe you meant this reply for Bravenak.

[roguevalley]

64. i think this didnt land where i expected it to. :D

I have no gripe with voters. Millennials have no excuse to me for not trying to make the world they want, they are so many. Older people vote. Younger people need to do so too because they will be here longer. No excuses. Ever. Anything less is lazy whining to me. I care what happens to everyone, davidpdx. You younglings who do your part will have to show them the way. Apparently some are willing to let the world burn down because they don't feel it.

[aspirant]

58. The switcheroo

Maybe the problem is they do find people to run,just like we boomers, but then the DNC, DSCC and DCCC toss their money and candidate into the same race. Why doesn't the dem party respect their choices and not try to drown them out with Wall Street money and candidates?

[roguevalley]

65. because we don't make them. look what we had to do to end viet nam? it took time and effort and bodi

They don't vote so why should they care? They would if that group did their part. No presence, no attention.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

2. Hyperbole isn't going to get anyone out to vote n/t

[JaneyVee]

3. I'm a millennial who voted, but...

I agree with your sentiment.

[skippy66]

4. I did my part

I took a selfie as I drove past the voter station. They need to give me a free latte if they expect me to actually stop.
(Sarcasm)

[Odin2005]

5. As opposed to 3rd Way Corporatists who only support most of that list.

[jeff47]

6. If you actually want to change the situation

don't "talk about voting" like this. Because you're lecturing them. Try asking "why didn't you vote?" instead.

And instead of ripping apart their answer, listen to it.

Your generation has failed to do this since I came of age (I'm young GenX). Your generation is repeating this mistake with Millennials. For example, massive student loans are not a new invention. But nobody would listen to us talk about them in the 1990s. And Democrats are still cutting education funding despite the issue finally getting the occasional mention.

Give a shit about what they want, and they'll turn out. Lecture them about what's important to you, and they won't.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

7. Wish I could rec this post n/t

[Paulie]

9. Exactly

[kiva]

46. So don't educate them,

just ask what they want. Got it. So don't tell them that have risked their control over reproductive rights or any of the other things that the OP listed - and don't tell me they already know about these things, my college students are horrifically uninformed about many of these issues and just think that we have always had those rights.

[Scootaloo]

8. yes, let's pay no attention to the man behind the curtain

All those things you listed? Who voted for that stuff?

Boomers vote to make contraceptives more difficult to get
Boomers vote against the EPA.
Boomers vote for the end of Roe v. Wade
Boomers vote for voter disenfranchisement
Boomers vote for more wars
Boomers vote to destroy workplace protections
Boomers vote against medicaid expansion
Boomers vote against the ACA

Boomers don't vote against social security, of course, but I imagine only because it's the last stop on their free ride gravy train through history and most of 'em haven't gotten there yet.

Maybe instead of piloting your hoveround in a circle, screeching about those dang kids, you ought to go visit your siblings and neighbors and try to yank your generation's collective heads out of the Republican's dung-hole? it would be a nice change. And if you want young people to vote, it would really help your case if your entire birth-clump didn't continually work to destroy them.

[jeff47]

10. It's important to differentiate which boomers

because political alignment doesn't line up neatly with the "generations" defined by marketing.

Older boomers tend to be liberal.
Younger boomers tend to be conservative.
Older GenX tends to be conservative.
Younger GenX tends to be liberal.
Older Millennials tend to be liberal.
Younger Millennials aren't 18 yet.

Younger boomers and older GenX voted for the policies you list - they're the core of the Republican party.

Older boomers did not, but older boomers and younger GenX failed to form a coalition in the 1990s. So older boomers are simply outnumbered in turnout - young GenX and Millennials both turn out at a low rate.

[Scootaloo]

11. Might want to inform the OP

because their horse shit is what I am responding to. They want to trash an entire generation/ Well, we only need look at the voting record of theirs to be reminded of that old reprimand about beams in eyes.

[jeff47]

12. I did. Post 6. (nt)

[LWolf]

13. You really want to energize voters?

Give them something worth voting FOR, instead of offering up everything they should fear and vote AGAINST, choosing the lesser evils to send the country to hell at a slower pace.

Blaming the disenfranchised and marginalized for election results is not going to have the desired effect.

[jeff47]

14. It's part of the generational divide.

As we age, we are more easily motivated by fear. A 20-year-old thinks they're immortal. A 65-year-old knows better. And it's not a social thing - we can actually see differences in brain activity as people age. The "fear centers" become more and more active as people age.

So "voting against" works very well for boomers. The older boomers are voting against Republicans, and the younger boomers are voting against Democrats.

Problem is Democrats need young GenX and Millennials to turn out. They aren't old enough yet to be as easily motivated by fear. They need something to vote for.

[LWolf]

16. I'm a young boomer.

1960.

I've never been motivated by fear, but the older I get, the less likely I am to go along with any group just to go along, when I think they're headed in the wrong direction.

Fear? I've had a hard life. Along the way, I left fear far behind. I simply don't do fear, which is why all the fear-based campaign strategies not only leave me cold, but piss me off and tend to motivate me AWAY from the intended direction...just to push back. I don't vote against Democrats; I vote for most of them. I just don't vote for them BECAUSE they are a Democrat. They have to have a record and platform I'll support.

[jeff47]

18. As with any generalization about humans, there are exceptions. (nt)

[LWolf]

22. Yes.

And I seem to have been one all of my life. I don't regret it, but it does give me pause when it comes to broad generalizations about any group of people.

[jeff47]

25. If you're talking about voting, aiming for the exceptions isn't gonna work.

Hence generalizations, as long as they're statistically accurate, are more useful in getting people to the polls.

[LWolf]

28. Another exception

is that I find the use of fear as a motivator to be unethical, and wouldn't use it. I also don't think it's as useful at getting people to the polls, long term. It may get them there THIS time, but it's also more likely to create disenfranchised, disengaged voters in the future when they are repeatedly unhappy with the performance of the people they've voted for.

I'd rather the candidates actually earn the votes with their actions, than have the party act as partisan bullies, scaring people into supporting them.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. A fortunate 20 year old thinks they're immortal, other 20 years olds attened a funeral a week among

their own peers in the 80's, other 20 years olds have watched their buddies brains get blown to bits or their own legs shot off. Some have lost siblings in childhood.
Feeling immortal is not really a universal aspect of youth anymore than driving a BMW is a universal aspect of youth.

[jeff47]

23. The group you're talking about is a very small percentage of millennials.

Enlistment rates are less than 1%.

Therefore, very few Millennials have seen "their own legs shot off".

Siblings in childhood? The child mortality rate is even lower than enlistment rates.

Treating an entire generation based on 1% of that generation is not going to be effective.

[Bluenorthwest]

34. jeff47, the point I am making is just that. Few of them have had their legs shot off, but lots of

youth in former generations have, and many young people in other places still do. The current youth is fortunate not to be in the place of a war generation, or in the place of the youth of Gaza who I trust do not fee immortal.

You claim 20 year olds feel immortal. I say only the fortunate 20 year olds get to feel that way. Others have had their own mortality spelled out repeatedly right before their eyes. If this generation lacks such experience and thus feels immortal, I'd call that good luck indeed.
I sure did not feel immortal in my 20's. I literally and specifically envy that in those who do feel that way. What a gas it must be.

[jeff47]

36. And lectures that that are really gonna get "the kids" to the polls. (nt)

[RufusTFirefly]

31. Reasonable argument. Wrong explanation.

With respect, our fear response does not typically increase as we get older. In fact, research indicates that older adults are actually better at regulating their emotional responses than younger adults. However, the sense of reward we derive from taking risks does typically decrease as we get older, which tends to make us not more fearful, but more cautious. It accounts in part for the idea that older people are wiser. Also, a reduction in testosterone (not inevitable, but common) in both men and women often results in a greater desire for predictability.

Effects of aging on functional connectivity of the amygdala during negative evaluation: a network analysis of fMRI data.

[aspirant]

61. be happy, fear little

I'm 62 so I don't know if I'm a younger or older boomer. What fear are you talking about, the fear of death? That is a personal issue we all must confront so why do we allow it to influence our voting when we know our vote affects millions more than us,? Isn't it selfish to inflict our unresolved inner issues on others? Don't we realize the Genxers and Millennials are our children and grandchildren? We are suppose to be wiser than this, not leaving a worse-off country than our elders left us."Nothing to fear but fear itself" and the wise know who is trying to infuse that fear in us.

[Bluenorthwest]

17. I wonder if other minority voter blocks would agree that a group whose major issue seems to be

university debt qualify as disenfranchised and marginalized? I wonder of other populations who have been or are disenfranchised and marginalized have had success by not participating until properly pandered to?
LGBT people sure did not have the luxury of waiting for engraved invitations to take part. When I was an 18 year old voter, the second ballot I ever voted had a single LGBT related issue, Prop 6, the Briggs amendment which asked this question:
"Prohibit gays and supporters of gay rights from teaching in public schools- Yes or No?"

It was precisely 'something to vote against' and that was the way it was for many many years. That's why I vote all the time. It was not exactly a sweet message from my Party about how they were specifically addressing my needs.

[jeff47]

20. You had a direct contrast

That "yes" or "no" gave you a direct contrast.

Millennials are dealing with a lousy job market, zero job stability, high debt, and it doesn't look like they will ever get "the American dream".

Republicans are fighting for that to continue. Democrats are fighting for that to continue more slowly, and not quite as severely.

That's not much of a contrast. If you're screwed by voting for Republicans, or screwed by voting for Democrats, then there isn't much point in voting.

And the more you lecture about how terrible these people are because of your issues, the more they notice their issues are not addressed. Not to mention, LGBT people would also be better off if the Democrats addressed Millennials's issues - better job market would help LGBT people too.

[Bluenorthwest]

27. Kinda. The proposition question was yes or no, and Harvey Milk and some others opposed the bill

But major politicians most certainly did not fall into clearly contrasted groups. You had raging hate mongers and mushy mouthed advocates outside the 'homosexual liberation movement'. Not one leading Democrat was speaking out about equality. The best they said was 'no we should not fire gay teachers'. No national Democrat mentioned gay people as part of the Party until Bill Clinton.

I do not see this segment of Americans taking other actions to express their discontent. Where are the protests? I sure as fuck did more than vote in my youth. As did the 60's folks. If voting is not sufficient or the choices too constrictive, take action to communicate that, because passivity will be read as consent for the status quo.
If I gave you a choice of watching your friends and mentors die young or going without a job for a time, which do you pick? If the choice is 'go fight hand to hand in the jungle or spend two years unemployed' which do you pick?
I don't think they are terrible at all. Just not very bright about politics. They think silence is a political action, while my youth was spent saying Silence = Death.
And silence does equal death. Which is why it is a poor choice to make in almost any situation and always in major issue politics.
We should seek the voters by answering the calls they make for action. To do that, there must be calls to action. Silence = Death.

[jeff47]

37. You don't see protests for two reasons

1) They're busy. They're working 2 jobs, don't have set hours with which they could plan anything, and have a mountain of debt to service.

2) There's zero reason to believe such protests would actually do anything. They saw Occupy. They saw how it did absolutely nothing to the Democratic party.

If I gave you a choice of watching your friends and mentors die young or going without a job for a time, which do you pick?

If I gave you a choice between getting stabbed in the face, or a handful of candy.....

They think silence is a political action

No, they don't. And if you'd stop lecturing and start listening, you'd find out what they think "silence" is.

[appalachiablue]

45. Your points and reasoning are excellent. Listen don't lecture. These young deserve so much.

[LWolf]

21. Please note

that I didn't say I didn't vote. I always do. I don't always vote the way fear-mongers would like me to, but I never stay home.

I said that fear is not the way to motivate non-voters. And it's not.

[Bluenorthwest]

35. I get it. I also agree fear is a crappy motivator. I'm not even saying that young people who feel

less than compelled to vote are wrong to feel that way. I'm just saying that actually doing it is a poor choice. I'd suggest voting, then protesting about how shitty the choices were. Or if some must, not voting and protesting instead. But just not voting is nothing but silence. It is not an action. Can't not make any progress without some form of action.

[LWolf]

42. We agree on that.

We can't make progress without some form of action. Maybe THAT's what the message should be. I'll bet all that young energy focused on some form of action could make a better impact.

[aspirant]

62. Do we have free choice?

Would voting for just local candidates solve your inner disgust at non-voting Millennials? Are you proposing they must vote the complete ballot? Is this all or none or is there flexibility?

[RufusTFirefly]

15. Inspiration, not fear, is what should drive people to vote.

To quote the introduction to The Power of Nightmares:

In the past our politicians offered us dreams of a better world. Now they promise to protect us from nightmares

.

Martin Luther King didn't say "I'm afraid of what will happen if we don't do this." He said, "I have a dream!"

I'm tired of this fear-mongering. This country has lost its way but can still be great. We need a vision more effective than "Those guys are worse than we are." Sorry, but Millenials aren't buying it. And although I continue to vote, I don't blame them.

[Old Nick]

30. Billrant

[BlindTiresias]

33. Yawn

More lectures, give it a rest.

[BlindTiresias]

40. Don't know what you mean

Maybe you could explain?

[Skeowes28]

38. Voters

As a millennial I've voted consistently since 2004 hat being said no one under the age of 22 shouldn't even be considered a voting block

[LeftyMom]

44. Do you want to talk or do you want to lecture? Because that reads like a lecture.

If you ASKED instead of listening you'd know that:

1. I've never missed an election since I was old enough to vote, including special elections for just one post.

2. I've signed up voters, spoken in front of thousands of young people about the importance of voting, volunteered to drive people to vote, and worked at polling places.

3. I live in California, so my rights are safe, thanks.

So here are my questions:

1. Why aren't you lecturing the people in the rest of the country who vote for assholes?

2. Why aren't you lecturing people your age who are a reliably socially conservative and homophobic voting bloc?

3. What do you think the differences were between 2008, when young people voted in record numbers, and 2014 when they didn't? Consider the possibility that young people are neither lazy nor irrational in your response.

4. If you've paid attention to the news in the last few years presumably you are aware of structural barriers being erected to prevent liberal voting blocs from voting. Would these disproportionately impact young people?

5. If young people are rational actors who will vote in response to promises and policy, do you think the conflict between campaign rhetoric and policy in recent years drives or discourages young people's enthusiasm for politics?

6. What politicians have done a good job of engaging young people in recent years? Were they on the ballot? Why weren't the people who were on the ballot following their lead?

I think that's a good start.

LM, age 33

[raging moderate]

51. OH, MILLENIALS, YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! PLEASE VOTE! AND ORGANIZE!

That is all we baby boomers are trying to say! I swear to God it is all we are trying to say! Please study the past and learn from it! Learn from our mistakes! And move on into the future you are going to create! YOU ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN WE WERE! You have computer skills, connections all over the planet! As an educator, working in various school districts all over Illinois, I saw your generation coming in when you were only five years old. I swear I did! You have the endemic computer skills, connection skills, science skills, self-awareness skills! YOU CAN DO IT! You can do what we wanted to do, but could not! Don't listen to the nay-sayers! Just do it! When I was young, I knew inside myself that mine was the seed generation and yours would be the generation that would finally bear fruit!

From failing hands, we throw the torch!
Don't be afraid, go forward! We need you! The world needs you!

[unrepentant progress]

52. Oh, that's sweet.

You still think voting makes a difference. Between gerrymandering, and the natural inclination for liberals and conservatives to self-segregate, the sad reality is that for many people the outcome of elections is predetermined by the math. Only when the predominant party in any given district or state is angry enough to want to vote against their candidate does the math even come close to allowing the challenging party a chance at changing the vote. For presidential elections, the electoral college just amplifies that manifold. And while you might think that at least at the local level you can make a difference by voting, mostly the lock-in is even stronger there.

I'd like to say that the system is broken, but that's not the case. Sad, but true, the system is working as designed, albeit probably not as intended.

[BeyondGeography]

53. Life is sad, life is a bust. All you can do, is do what you must.

You do what you must do and you do it well.

Vote.

[raging moderate]

54. Don't you see? You have to do it ALL!

You have to vote, and organize, and talk, and write, and email, and twitter, and march, and walk along the street to all the houses, and make total fools of yourselves, and yes, maybe for several generations, the way they did back in the 1300's and the 1700's. You must go back and study the peasant revolutions and the Age of Reason and draw the best conclusion you can and take your best shot! YES! You must do what Churchill said, and fight on the beaches, in the fields, and among the streets, and inside the houses! You must NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP! And may the God of Love go with you! I do not claim to know what that means ! Only that it is what I feel inside me! I believe in God! And I believe that God believes in Love! And I believe that GOD IS LOVE! You must love God, and love your neighbor! And, if you are doing them both right, they are the same thing!

[Kath1]

55. You raise a lot of good reasons for young people to vote.

I think most Millennials on DU probably voted.

That said, I can't understand why they weren't more engaged.

I went to happy hour after work yesterday with a group of young women I work with in their 20s. They ALL voted and were very disappointed and pissed off about the results. I'm 57. I didn't think politics would even come up but that is all we talked about. And they are very concerned about the future of reproductive rights, voting rights, immigration reform and the possibility of another war.

I don't know these Millennials who don't vote, but I'm sure there are a lot of them out there. We just need to reach them and educate them.

[IVoteDFL]

60. I can't imagine not voting but I'm fueled mostly by my opposition to republicans

Many people in my generation just aren't convinced that Democrats are different. My SO didn't vote, and nothing I said was going to convince him (though born in '79, he is an X'er.) Thankfully, Minnesota doesn't go with the trend and we easily kept our seats. It did suck to vote for some of them knowing that we could have had medical marijuana here twice now if it weren't for Governors Pawlenty and now Dayton has done very little beyond his Republican predecessor. Rick Nolan, the guy that Republicans ran ads as being "dangerously liberal" just voted for Keystone. People really don't understand that it isn't as simple as "just go fucking vote you stupid kids"?


I vote every single time and I don't think someone could pay me not to, but I understand where my generation is coming from. If you go to a place like tumblr or anywhere young people congregate on the internet you'll see how passionate they are and none of them are going to vote for a Democrat like say Collin Peterson, for example. Even if you can convince them to get out and vote they are probably going to vote third party.


It's not just about having someone "speak to you" you need someone you can truly believe in. When we had ballot measures on banning same sex marriage and voter ID in 2012, young people showed up in MN. They were convinced those things mattered. I am a realist who tries to be optimistic. Instead of always saying that we need to suck it up and vote, we can at least have a discussion about putting candidates that young people believe in, getting the "blue dogs" out, and becoming more clear on things important to millennials. It would have been wise for Democratic candidates to run on net neutrality if they wanted millennials to come out, or student loans, medical marijuana, or justice for individuals who have been assaulted and murdered by the police.

[aspirant]

63. Just ask why they didn't address those issues.

Do you think the national party is that blind that they don't realize your issues? It's their agenda and then they send out these DU mouthpieces to scream about not voting and rejecting their nominees. They spend mega-millions from Wall Street in the primaries on these right-wing dems and then say there is nothing they can do now, so vote for one of the 2 evil candidates or your a traitor.