Every 4 years those "young voters" we've so often been dismissive of here in the past

[Tom Rinaldo]

...move 4 years closer to becoming middle aged. The very same youth who, not infrequently, were criticized by many on DU for being "apolitical" and/or "disengaged" and/or "unreliable", are inexorably moving toward becoming the center of gravity of our society. Though the march of time is obvious, it's repercussions, especially politically, can evade those in prior generations who had grown accustomed to "being in charge." Looking back on my own youth I think that was the case. Most established leaders of that time (the 60's/70's) were hard pressed to imagine the approaching "changing of the guard" that would disrupt their accustomed ways of "doing business" in all realms. Most of those who could visualize a possible sea change coming saw it as a threatening prospect, one to fight against.

The Democratic Party is the major political coalition in America that is most open to change. I take it for granted that Republicans resist it, but we have blind spots too. I think it's human nature to project the present onto the future, even for those whose basic instinct isn't to reach back into the past. So called, at the time, conservative Democrats were a powerful force back when I was young. Our party was much more dominated by straight white males then than it is today. Often they gave lip service to inclusiveness, for example, but those words were seldom fully backed up by their own staffing decisions, or the composition of leadership ranks. Today, though no battle is ever fully won, the Democratic Party has embraced and is implementing inclusiveness, as reflected by President Biden's Cabinet and Federal Court appointments. That was yesteryear's frontier. What will be different, in tone or nature, about the Democratic Party of tomorrow? To what extent are we driving using a rear view mirror? What changes, what shifting priorities, now are in the wind?

If there is a generation gap effecting the Democratic Party, I am part of a former wave. From that perspective it is hard to see the contours of the future, much as I might want to embrace it. But it is clear to me that there are major generational "divisions", if not quite "divides" , playing out right below the surface of the status quo. All kinds of polling show that Americans are increasingly divided in their beliefs by age as much as they are by any other demographic, including the differences between rural vs urban attitudes that are getting so much notice now. I think those differences may ultimately prove to be as consequential as the changes that were breaking between the late 50's and the early 70's. Generational shifts are among the most difficult for any established leadership to get a handle on. They too often get written off as reflective of the fleeting passions of youth, and overall naivety.

Democratic Underground, with notable exceptions, tilts toward older activists in its demographics. The national leadership of the Democratic Party does the same. Hopefully we are keeping enough ears to the ground to pick up on ongoing seismic shifts, because "The times, they are (again) changing."

[UTUSN]

2. Excellent exposition. Significant segments of Dem constituent groups don't vote (enough).

The main thread in the non-voting is that they are focused on the *subsistence* demands of the hear and now, not abstract, lofty philosophy/ideology, not news-junkie currency - both not current and not long-range.

[FakeNoose]

3. How is DU trying to appeal to younger voters?

We need their voices and their opinions, but I'm not sure how much they're interested in our opinions.

It's true that DU skews to the Boomer crowd, and many of us are in retirement now. I'd like to think that some missionaries might go on TikTok or Reddit, and post links to DU in hopes that some of the younger folks might come over and check us out. Is that really happening? I'm not so sure.

[FakeNoose]

15. Have you ever seen Reddit?

It's a message board, similar to DU in some ways. They don't have the friendliness that we have, but they do have posting rules. TikTok I can't say, because I've spent very little time on there.

[Claustrum]

45. Nah, reddit also have a large following for gaming which skews towards younger audience.

[Budi]

63. Guess not!

Thanks

[H2O Man]

72. You raise an important question.

I think it raises one that is essential to consider first -- how many DUers are actually involved with campaigns? A number do donate to the party and/or individual candidates, which is obviously very important. Replacing corporate funding with grass roots funding is required if we prefer politicians who are not in debted to corporations.

Also important is how many people actively coordinate with their local party headquarters? How many can honestly say they have participated in voter registration drives? How many attempt to educate those who are unregistered, or independents? I can only speculate, but I suspect it is less than 10% of the DU community. And I do noth think that is tied to what generation people are from.

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. Although millennials are aging, the numbers of Gen Z voters continue to grow

The 18-30 yo voters are the largest untapped pool of voters in the country.

Those who write youth off as apathetic, yet in the next breath scream “GOTV!!!” are a big part of why Dems can’t win enough seats to pass big progressive legislation or prevent the creep of fascism.

Speaking as the father of two well informed millennials, who is familiar with their circles of millennial/Gen Z friends, the youth are anything but apathetic- they are cynical, having seen that their votes don’t result in tangible benefits delivered by Dems. At best, they’ve seen a party that, for the most part hesitates to push for sweeping change, instead settling for pragmatic incrementalism, or worse, defending outdated institutions such as the Hyde amendment and the filibuster.

My kids vote; my daughter is quite engaged with her representatives, and my son has participated in several protests in Portland. Young people are struggling to make ends meet, and feel the impact of high inflation and low wages, but they also seek social Justice.

IMO, it should be the Dems priority to continue to increase the youth turnout (up to 50% in 2020, IIRC, but much of that was anti-Trump motivation) with policies, legislation and Executive actions targeted to their values.

Top of the list: (unscientific sample)
Raise minimum wage
Improve healthcare, including protecting reproductive rights
Forgive student debt
Immigration reform (yeah, I know abolishing ICE is a non-starter, but Biden can do better)
Police reform (skip the defunding red herring, we need to talk about qualified immunity)
General pro-democracy/anti-fascist messaging

[Walleye]

5. I don't understand why the millennials resent us boomers so much. Our lives were not that easy.

Getting through those times and getting to be this old was no walk in the park. Now we’re pretty much just tired, frankly. It’s time for the younger people to pick up the baton and get moving. Nobody is going to give us anything in fact our adversaries work as hard as they can to take back what we’ve won already

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. It was us boomers (not you and me, but our generation) who became Reagan Democrats

And ushered in a generation of wage deflating, corporate friendly neoliberal economic policies.

[Walleye]

9. Granted,but I try not to be prejudiced against the whole generation because of what some of them did

All I’m saying is, we are spent bullets. They will have to quit complaining about us and do the things themselves. I do have hope for the GenZ crowd. If that is the 18 to 30-year-old now. And keep in mind the current 16-year-old will be old enough to vote for the next president. Young people have to know that they are participating in the decisions and actions in order to accept the results. Like all of the rest of us. That’s the theory of democracy I think

[Fiendish Thingy]

14. At present, Boomers vote in higher % than millennials/Gen Z, so pols pander to them, not youth

It’s a cautious, reactive strategy; Although there are many progressives who reject that strategy and speak out loudly on issues that affect and matter to young voters, I’d like to see a coordinated strategy from the party establishment to fight to increase the youth turnout (50% in 2020 was largely anti-Trump) and inspire youth to vote for Dem policies.

[Walleye]

18. Yes, the other side is constantly trying to divide us into factions, we need to fight against it

[Fiendish Thingy]

20. Best way to fight against division is to deliver results that benefits everyone. Nt

[Walleye]

24. Which, unfortunately, we can't do if the party is divided. Sort of a catch 22

[Cuthbert Allgood]

27. In the last election Boomers trended for Trump (by about 3%), so

it would make sense for Dems to court the younger generations that voted for Biden.

[Fiendish Thingy]

56. You would think so, but the Political Consultant Industry wants big $ to chase swing voters.

They’re focusing resources on trying flip 5% of the high turnout Boomers back to Blue for a narrow win, when they’ve got a massive pool of 50% of non voting youth who would positively crush the Republicans if the Dems could convince them they would deliver something of substance that would improve their lives.

Even increasing turnout among young voters by 10-15% over 2020 could have paradigm shifting impact on American politics, especially if that increase was in swing states/districts.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

61. Yup.

And it seems like they think, "well you should" is a good enough campagin.

[Tom Rinaldo]

68. Empowering "swing voters" is not threatening to any entrenched interests...

The same can't necessarily be said for empowering young voters.

[Fiendish Thingy]

75. Indeed. But the time has come for the PTB in the party to choose

Protect and preserve democracy by activating the youth vote, which might cause an upheaval in the party power structure and impact the profits of the DNC’s big donors, or…protect and preserve the power structure of the DNC and the profits of the donors while sacrificing democracy.

[Sympthsical]

13. Because the ladder was pulled up behind them.

When your generation manages the distinction of being "the first one to be worse off than their parents" you're going to at least start side-eyeing your parents.

Young people would love to pick up the baton. Voters under 44 voted overwhelmingly for Bernie.

People in power screamed, grabbed at the baton, broke it, and then scolded, "Why aren't you still running the race?!"

Because we are literally stopped at every turn from doing so.

Go ahead and make a thread with, "I think, after nearly 20 years, the Democratic Party needs entirely new leadership. We need high level retirements from the Speaker on down. They've had their turn, and it isn't working. Look where we are."

Yeah, enjoy that meltdown.

[Walleye]

21. I still don't quite get it, Bernie is very old. Plus change is very difficult it takes a lot of work

[Cuthbert Allgood]

28. Sure, it takes a lot of work,

but some of the message in the last Dem primary was that Sanders wouldn't get anything done because nobody would work with him while Biden was going to be able to get people working with him. If you think that now, when Biden can't get 2 Dems to work with him, that the younger generation won't remember that statement which failed miserably, you are kidding yourself.

[Sympthsical]

34. It's not the age of the person, it's the age of the ideas

Once ideas and power structures become calcified, they can continue on as the world around them falls apart due to their inability to change or adjust. When President Biden kept saying the Senate was full of his friends and only he had the bipartisan power to break the gridlock, I really wanted to know what year he thought it was.

This Roe thing should be a wake up call. It isn't some sudden natural disaster. It was telegraphed from afar by Republicans for decades. This wasn't a secret. They made checkers moves in the open in broad daylight, and we were busy playing Chutes and Ladders. We got here precisely because we didn't do enough to stop it.

And despite this massive failure, just keep doing what we're doing?

Because all I ever see is constant declarations that we should continue on as we have. Where are the retirements and resignations after this? Hell, where are the apologies? We can't get at least a, "We really, really, really fucked up with Garland," self reflection?

And if you bring it up, it's just a sloganed, "Why are you blaming Democrats?" copied and pasted. I'm not. I know Republicans are the opposition here. What I am going to blame, however, is shit strategies that have been making this country worse and failing to stop those Republicans for my entire adult life.

It's time for change. And that's where a lot of the resentment originates. The abject inability to accept overdue changes.

[Sympthsical]

52. Oh sure

I definitely don't think Sanders should run again. I'd be thrilled to the toes with our leadership demographics not being multiple decades over the American voter median. I've advocated for that more than a few times here.

But, when I'm in my early 40s now and in the bottom tenth percentile of age on the site, it becomes a kind of know your audience thing. It's just not a conversation that's going to be productively had. Which is fine. Not everywhere needs to be for everyone.

I just can't wrap my head around a party having the same leader for nearly 20 years. We're a democracy, yeah? What is this, "Incumbents must have power forever!" thing we've got going on? At some point, there has to be some accountability for the results.

If Roe isn't that point, what is?

[Mariana]

43. Why don't you ask some of them?

If they explain it to you, and you actually listen to them, maybe then you'll get it.

[Walleye]

57. Had a long conversation with a young man who called himself millennial once, Bernie supporter

A guy I know pretty well we have a lot in common I really like him. He was talking about his generation versus ours whatever that is and he got so emotional I couldn’t really continue the conversation, it goes much deeper than policy, In my very flawed opinion

[Polybius]

79. I think it has to do with how some older generations get offended with the things younger ones say

I'm an Xer, and as a server 20 years ago, I went up to a table and said something like "Hi guys, can I start you off with something to drink?" The female (presumably Silent Generation) screamed at me, and said "I'm not a guy!!!" Something like that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I'm not asking you to learn our slang, just respect it.

When a Gen Z says something that I disagree with or understand, I don't engage. I get that younger generations view things differently, and have new lingo. That's why Generation X is the best.

[Budi]

6. I disagree on this particular situation. Judging by the full blown campaign against our Democratic P

Not just another generaion carrying forward the mantel long fought for & held sacred before them, & passed down to protect.
Not this time, sadly.

The backstory is chilling.

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. I think you left some words/letters out of your post, not clear what your point is. Nt

[Budi]

16. The backstory of who why & how they came to organize is chilling

[Fiendish Thingy]

19. Who is "they"? Young voters?

What do you mean by organize? What is so chilling?

[Sympthsical]

10. Weirdly, ignoring and belittling people isn't a vote-getter

It's a mystery.

It really boils down to two sentiments:

"Get off my lawn!" and then
"Why aren't they coming to my garden party?!"

Pick one, for you cannot have both.

[Walleye]

23. I don't understand what can be accomplished by not voting

[Tom Rinaldo]

31. It's not new.

I remember from decades past when the expression "Don't vote, it only encourages them" was not uncommonly embraced by some who were left of center. I never subscribed to that view of course, I always figured that voting was the least that I could do even when, in my more alienated moments, I flirted with casting a protest vote. It's a manifestation of pessimism and a sense of powerlessness on one hand - "nothing ever really changes" - coupled with a deep distrust of those who have decision making authority in our society. Some believe that electoral politics is a rigged game that serves as a distraction from taking "direct action" to make real changes. Again, that is not my view, but to counter it alienation from electoral politics has to be negated, through a combination of better messengers, better results, and better communications about what better results actually achieve.

[Sympthsical]

40. If you tell people you don't care about them, they won't vote for you

Humans aren't mysterious creatures. If they know you don't care, that you're only saying things you have no intention to follow through on, they aren't that enthusiastic about you.

"But if you don't vote . . ."

I know that. You know that. We all know that.

But yelling at people isn't a motivator. And that's all it is now. If I see one more "They just want free stuff out of Daddy!" out of a Democrat, I swear to god. There is hardly a more effective bit of rhetorical scolding that lets everyone know you do not give a fuck about their lives.

[Budi]

36. They had no intentions of 'coming to the garden party"

They came organized with big money & foreign influence.
It wasn't about calling out corrupt R's, 1st and foremost was about replacing the entire D Party with all the hostile muster they could bring.
R's were given free run while they spent 7 yrs convincing a demographic that the D Party was the corrupt one. Which was always a lie.

The source of their organization was never about the big tent but an exclusive group & social media & msm was their means. Their influence was directed straight at a demographic whom they'd never have to be challenged on the validity of their words.

This organization's backstory is not who they present to be.
That's spelled out in the fact of the relentless messaging against our Dem Leaders without fair credit given to their stellar accomplishments. Its never enough

This is from their own words as they organized. Tell me when we should begin embracing this message.


I hold a lot of doubt as to the true intentions of this organization & the future of our society.
Checking their voting records before believing their messaging has proven my thinking correct.
Waiting to hear them ever embrace our Dem Party...

[Sympthsical]

41. Who do you think constitutes the Left

The one you spend an inordinate amount of time bashing every. single. day?

Hint: Mame isn't their favorite musical.

Unless it's my friends. But we're gay, so you know. I'm the kind of person who buys tickets to a community theater performance of Cats for fun.

I need to start using better examples.

[Budi]

58. I am The Left.

My Democratic Party is The Left.
I know where my loyalties & support belong.
The ones who gave these human & civil rights to the American population thru years & years of always stepping in when those rights were threatened by the Right or by an organized & well moneyed fringe movement loaded with campaign slogans against us.

The Democratic Party.

[Sympthsical]

60. Democratic and Left are venn diagrams - not synonyms

For some people, the middle part of the diagram will be rather large.

For others, much less.

[lapucelle]

76. No matter how large or small that interesection is, the Justice Democrats brand

does not fall within it.

By their own word, they are not Democrats; neither are they allies of our Party.

================================================================================



================================================================================

Justice Democrats are, however, extremely skilled at monetizing performative "activism".

================================================================================



https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/justice-democrats/C00630665/summary/2018

===========================================================================================

[Sympthsical]

77. I don't particularly care

I am not responsible for them. And it's tiresome when daily, general attacks on the Left are always papered over with, "But the Justice Democrats . . ." as if that explains all the other attacks on all the other Left or Left-leaning groups.

It would be just as effective if someone replied with, "Look, a poodle!"

That's how much I buy the, "We need to slam the Left copiously, daily, unerringly because . . . Justice Democrats."

It's so exhausting and done so often, I keep waiting for the Green Lantern Democrats to arrive. I just know the Vote Hal fundraising e-mail is coming.

[lapucelle]

80. What "general attacks on the left"?

And what does this even mean?

"We need to slam the Left copiously, daily, unerringly.."

It's a positive when someone is "not responsible" because they do not engage with a group that attacks Democrats.

But not caring that a group of self-interested operatives has appropriated the mantle of the left in order to bring down the Democratic Party is another thing entirely.

[JustAnotherGen]

44. This

And it has alienated a lot of GenX voters - including myself.

I grew up with John Lewis and James Clyburn always being a 'a common name' in my household. I came of age in the time of Pelosi, Slaughter, Boxer, The Contract on America . . .

I don't see that energy and focus from the DSA. Because I don't see on the ground organizing - only a lot of tweeting - It's alienating. I don't see them willing to get beat up like a John Lewis. A lot of

"why hasn't this happened"

instead of

"here's what is GOING to happen and I'm willing to die for it"

It's not there - and it is uninspiring.

[JustAnotherGen]

69. Disagree - I didn't know him for the civil rights movement

I knew him as the Congressman - who did the work. The work that needed to be done.

I was only 14 when he was elected - but his name was a household one with my parents. He was born a year earlier than my dad. His little elementary school was one that my Grandfather donated money for books and supplies to - since Alabama took his tax dollars and gave them solely to white kids (black business farm, industry owner). He made up the difference. That town was only about an hour or two away from where my dad grew up.

So as a junior high kid, in a family of politically minded and local serving in office parents in western NY State in the 1980s - - I knew who Mr. Lewis was.

It's not about his Civil Rights experience -

It's about his legislative experience. He sponsored or co-sponsored 371 bills starting with the Rape Prevention Act of 1987. The National African American Museum we have today? He started that in his first term in Congress.

He understood that getting up every day and doing your job, and keeping at it via legislation - is how you get things done.

You don't need a war or a civil rights movement to do your job.

[Budi]

50. K & R exactly right.

"Because I don't see on the ground organizing - only a lot of tweeting - It's alienating"

[Behind the Aegis]

62. Veruca Salt comes to mind.

That is what I feel is happening with many. There is also a lack of understanding connectivity and big picture. Frankly, in my honest opinion, there is also a lack of self-reflection on our part; not everything can be laid at the feet of the opponents. Our actions and reactions have to be taken into account. When one group is under attack, even if it isn't yours, you (general, not speaking at you, Gen) need to be involved in the fight. Rabbi Hillel said: “If I am not for others, what am I? If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? If not you, who?"

[JustAnotherGen]

66. Amen

[betsuni]

81. +1

[MineralMan]

12. We will know more as the younger generations turn out to vote in large numbers.

So far, people under 50 years of age are not turning out in percentages large enough to tell what they hope for and want. It's getting better, but young people have traditionally had lower turnouts than older people. That hasn't really changed. As it does, their voices will be heard more loudly.

I hope they being now. I wish they would have begun earlier, to be quite frank.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

29. People under 50 got Biden elected

People over 55 trended 3% and higher for Trump in the last election. Gen X was 3% Biden. Millennials and Gen Z were very high in their voting for Biden. So, what I think you meant to say, was "Thank you people under 50, for stopping Trump from being re-elected."

[MineralMan]

33. We'll see what they do in the midterm.

That is going to be even more important. I suggest you look at the turnout percentage, though.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

37. So nothing they do is ever enough?

They got Biden elected. How about we have that attitude and not a "you better turn out you young whippersnappers." They did turn out. Let's appreciate that. We better do something about this Roe mess and the student loan crisis to give them some reason to think that their vote actually matters.

[MineralMan]

39. Not at all. It is in their best interest to turn out in a massive way.

I hope like hell that they do. You're mistaking my position seriously.

I know for sure that I'll vote, just as I have from the first election in which I was eligible to do so. In that one, I had to vote absentee, since I was in the USAF. It wasn't easy, but I knew then that my vote mattered, so I voted. I have never missed a single election in any year since then. I can't say the same for my age peers at the time. Like all young people, they didn't think it mattered if they voted.

I knew better, even at 21, which was the first time I could vote back then.

Not voting in massive percentages is a perennial error by people in younger generations. It was then, and it still is now.

[Sympthsical]

42. When gratitude is physically painful

So cringe. I'm floor gang now.

[H2O Man]

35. +1

[Budi]

65. Trump never should have been elected.

Stein #'s in the 3 key States gave the thing to Trump.

Stein.

[Autumn]

67. They got Biden elected because of what he said needed to be done. It resonated with them and

gave them hope. Now someone had better grab those moderates Mannchin, Sinema and a few others and have a come to Jesus moment with them like Mitch does to his flock that gets out of line. There can't be just one party that gets things done that their voters want.

[Initech]

73. When I was at the store a couple of weeks ago...

There was a kid out front who probably had to be 13 - 14, and he was wearing a shirt that said "Joe & The HO Gotta Go". I was totally appalled by that shirt. And I'm sure that someone else was too because that kid had a smug look on his face like he offended whoever it was that said something to him.

This kid clearly got his politics from his parents, and the fact that he was openly wearing that shirt honestly says more about the parents than it does the kid.

[mopinko]

26. imho, the landscape is becoming more and more about the class divides. haves v have nots.

you know, the kids call it intersectionality.
the history of the civil rights struggle is that when one class gets recognized, another can press their case, and so on, it all ripples. and the patterns are plain.

i think the fragments are finding more and more common ground. including some agreement on how that ground has been chipped away, and by whom.

i think the support for unions that we are showing is going to go a long way. when those gears get to turning in concert, look out.

i have hope.

[H2O Man]

38. +1

I agree. Class warfare is clearly an issue for today's young adults. Indeed, it was when every previsious generation came of age, but there are those who attempt to silence those who speak openly about it.

[Tom Rinaldo]

47. I agree. That, climate change, and racial justice seem to be dominant themes

Plus a yearning for authenticity over and above polish. Economic insecurity looms big. The snowballing effects of global warming are terrifying. The fight for racial justice clearly was not won in the 60's and 70's, though it just as clearly was advanced. The current Democratic coalition reads from the right script, what is less obvious to too many is how fundamentally committed we are to fighting tooth and nail to realize it with the urgency that matches this moment.

P.S. I should have noted that all matters of personal freedoms and civil rights, not just racial inequities, seem highly motivating to younger generations in general.

[H2O Man]

30. Recommended.

Way recommended, at that. This is the most important topic that members of the Democratic Party -- including here on DU -- should be thinking about (and acting on) as November approaches. And it's a topic that requires deep though, rather than snarky memes and humorous tweets.

I, too, came of age in the era you did. It was a time of transformation in this country, and around the world. There was the Civil Rights movement, the anti-war movement, the women's movement, and the infamous "generation gap" that overlapped with all of the others. We even had a president who, despite his enormous flaws on Vietnam, wanted to end poverty in America.

In one of his most controversial moves up until that time, Dr. King had children march, get arrested, and be placed in lock-up. The significance of that should never be forgotten. As you know, it wasn't just King bridging the generations -- it was parents, children, and the people who stood not behind, but with King.

There were other national and "local" leaders besides King. People like JFK, RFK, Malcolm, Medgar Evers, and Fred Hampton. Bullets ended their lives. Today, rumors that potential leaders just might have flaws can be spread on the internet to knee-cap them before they rise too high. As if those pointing fingers and wagging their tongues are pristine.

There were some "old" people on American youth's side, of course, but there was a huge divide. It was rooted in differences in values, the result of growing up in the Depression/ WW2 era versus growing up in the 1950s and '60s. Likewise, there are divides between our generation, our children's, and grandchildren's. Recently, for example, on an archaeological site, a person quoted Thoreau on his passion for finding Indian artifacts. A young man asked, "Who is Thoreau?"

Although I haven't done so since my head injury, I always spoke at various colleges and universities, and also at rallies, in a manner that I thought might best bridge the generations. I found young people were dedicated to promoting their values, which are rooted in their individual and generational experiences. And when motivated, they registered and voted, just the same as every other generation.

We have two things that are huge to motivate young and old voters alike -- and everyone in between: the Supreme Court's upcoming overturning of Roe v Wade, and the January 6 Committee. If we do the proper outreach to young voters and potential voters, we win big in November. If we fail to do so, we lose. It's really that simple.

[bigtree]

32. honestly

...Sanders progressives, 'Squad' progressives resemble the uncompromising activism and advocacy of my youth.

I've become much more politically pragmatic, but I've been arguing that those voices, many of them young folks new to the political process, should be recognized in our policy deliberations and at legislation time.

Too often they're dismissed as 'unrealistic' or disruptive, but they are the lifeblood of progressive change.

We should certainly heed older activists who very correctly emphasize what's possible. But, we shouldn't lose sight of those who advocate for more, because if we merely determine what we advocate according to what politicians will accept, that's all we'll deserve to expect from them.

[H2O Man]

51. Interesting.

I think that it is the young generation's duty to be demanding what us older folks consider unrealistic. My children are in their 20s and 30s now. My younger son sometimes says, "Uh, hey Old Man, I thought your generation was supposed to save the world? What went wrong?" I find that funny, sad, and encouraging, as it is true, and provides the view of many of his generation.

[Tom Rinaldo]

53. "it is the young generation's duty to be demanding what us older folks consider unrealistic."

Yes. Thank God (or Goddess or whatever) for that. High expectations may need to be tempered, but without those high expectations the unacceptable too often is accepted.

[H2O Man]

71. Exactly.

Things are unacceptable right now. Being older, I recognize that President Biden has to deal with the House and Senate. We need to keep the House, and increase our numbers in the Senate. While I might respect what most of our elected representatives do, there are still two Senators that refuse to support our party's agenda. So I understand young people's impatience.

[bigtree]

55. agreed

...theirs is based on what they instinctively recognize as vital.

Politics is very often about compromising those ideals. We bring our ideas and interests to the political arena, hopefully to the table where decisions are being made, and we try and reconcile many disparate and diverse interests and concerns into action or law.

I think the beginning of that process is often ignored in favor of an expeditious end. It's been my experience, though, that whatever we leave out in the name of pragmatism often becomes a political line that won't be crossed, instead of using political action to build on those ideals.

People new to the political process very often remind us of the roots of our activism and the things we advocate to continue or preserve at voting time.

[H2O Man]

70. Right.

I enjoy even the impatience of young adults. And I appreciate that it isn't a great world we are handing down to them. I tend to use two concepts when talking with them.

First was Malcolm X's saying he would rather have a work horse he could depend on, than a race horse he couldn't depend on. Wise man, Malcolm.

Second, since I'm in rural, upstate New York, I say that to get to Boston, I have to go to Albany NY first. We all want to reach the destination of a just society. But that includes steps along the way.

Hearing such things, I remember, were rather frustrating when I was young!

[Elessar Zappa]

64. Great post.

I’ve read (no link) that Millenials, unlike previous generations, are not becoming more conservative as they age. If that’s true, it’s great news for our future.

[Mr.Bill]

74. I think we will find out soon

that the SCOTUS is doing a fine job of turning out young voters. I hope so, anyway.

[AntivaxHunters]

78. I think a LOT underestimate the anger younger voters have

They are livid.