Blog 1: I couldn't care less...actually, I could

An epidemic is sweeping through my generation. It’s infected the vast majority of my peers, and I believe it is the greatest threat currently facing our country: Political inaction. Our nation is slowly turning into a country of sedentary citizens, and as I get older, I get progressively more terrified by this prospect.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), a nonpartisan research center for the civic and political engagement of young Americans, 52 percent of American adults under the age of 30 voted in the 2008 presidential election.

Due partially to Obama’s youthful following this figure was a 5 percent increase from the 2004 presidential election. While an improvement, I still find this statistic startling. That means nearly half of all adults 18-30 simply did not care enough to partake in the most historic election our country has seen. I know many would argue that with the mechanics of the Electoral College one vote does not count, but I beg to differ. The idea that citizens have a say in the appointment of their leaders is a powerful notion. As a California voter, I realize my vote in a presidential election probably doesn’t mean all that much. But the act of going to the polls makes me feel like I’ve participated in my democracy, an act that I believe is ultimately a civic responsibility.

I realize the rampant inaction of America’s young adults is in part because of our current political environment. Decisions are made by representatives who are meant to rule in our best interests but often do not. Policies and laws are shrouded in bureaucratic verbiage that alienates voters, particularly those who are green to the political scene. The media is peppered with celebrity gossip instead of stories of political import. Senators and congressman rage partisan battles that seem to accomplish next to nothing. Believe me, I get it.

But we are a nation of more than 300 million people. Consider what 300 million voices raised together could accomplish. Sure, we are a representative democracy, but we are still a government whose power is vested in the people, if they would only harness that power. Consider the public education crisis in California. According to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, there are 2.9 million community college students in the state. Imagine if every student made a phone call to his representative, or wrote a letter to her senator. Even the most seasoned politician cannot ignore the sound of nearly 3 million fists knocking at her door. So stop crying and go get yourself heard. What have you got to lose if you do? I fear far less than what you'd lose if you didn't.