I beg to differ with Robert Samuelson regarding my lack of interest (as part of today’s youth) in the presidential election (“No fun until you kids notice the election,” Commentary, Aug. 25). Samuelson makes strong arguments as to why we should take part in the workings of a democracy. The ideal of our government requires that each citizen vote. The problem is that our country does not resemble this noble democracy that Samuelson describes. There seems to be a ruling oligarchy based on money, and to our generation, it appears that there is little power to change this hierarchy. Working through the system won’t bring about change; it will only solidify the inequalities.
Samuelson is right; without a great war or a great depression, there is naturally less interest in politics. But I think there is another, simpler reason why today’s youth don’t care about the government, and that is that the country has changed. This is not the same United States it was 50 years ago. The sheer size and depth of our country, along with instantaneous connections from end to end, make government programs futile. Political disagreement is so self-centered that no progress can be made. In short, we have outgrown the usefulness of our present government, and the elections are the most obvious sign of futility. The candidates are the same: the choice is for a lesser of two evils.
I’ll agree that our government works better than most in this world, but I just don’t think it works well enough for everybody. I don’t think those in power (regardless of party or values) will allow any reform that would limit their advantage. I’m not ignorant of the political situation; I’m just looking elsewhere for hope. Maybe we should value, rather than hurry to assimilate, the young minds that are free from the chains of our present political situation.
