I'd like to hear from the teenagers on this board

[Skittles]

I admire you trememdously just for being here because I think you've been bombarded with a lot of corporate propaganda in your short lives yet, here you are. Please tell me what you believe your generation thinks about the political climate and the direction America is heading, and what you think of the Democratic party.

[citizen snips]

1. I am a teenager

I am 18 years old and when I become an adult I am going to have pay off Bush's debt and I like the democratic pary.

[Skittles]

34. well, we will all be paying that damn debt

but yes, I see a heavier load on you young ones, absolutely

[ZombieNixon]

2. OK...

Well, by and large, I'm sorry to say that the majority of my generation (Generation Y, if you want to call it that) is still highly disinterested in politics. Political nerdity is still a conversation stopper even worse than rambling on about your role-playing game group (except when talking with other political nerds). However, this is changing. In college, at least, people are more actively interested in public policy than one might think.

As far as attitudes toward the current climate, young people are, as always, cynical. The majority attitude would probably be one of "yeah, Bush sucks, but who says the Democrats are going to be any better?" So, convincing them that the Democrats are different, and do look out for the younger generation is the major hurdle. Problem is, most of GenY has the ingrained entrepreneurial drive. I look at this as a double edged sword. I really think it's a good thing and it excites me to see engaged, motivated young people. I just don't want them to end up voting Republican. This is why I think that reframing economic issues is such a pressing concern. We must show that helping others ends up serving your self-interest, and we will get these young white collar college graduates on our side.

As for me, while I'm not totally satisfied with the Democratic party, it's the best chance America has.

[otherlander]

21. GAHHH!!! You broke my dreams!

I hoped that things would be different at college! More intelligent! NOOOOOOO!!!! Just more of the same! Damn you!
:hi: Have a nice day.^_^

[Guy Fawkes]

3. If my generation doesn't wise up... we're screwed.

A lot of people don't care about public policy. Or foreign policy. They don't care about anything at all, in fact. If asked, you'd get just as many people who support Bush as don't, and not a one of them could tell you why. By 2008, though, I think there will be enough informed youth voting to make a great difference in favor of the Democratic party. My peers are generally open minded; I predict they will vote on two issues: abortion and gay marriage. And they will vote for the candidate that supports both.

If we can get a democrat who supports choice and gay marriage, then I wouldn't be surprised by a landslide victory.

As for the party, well... I can't help but worry. There is a lot of "Yes, me too!" going on. One person states the party line and everyone follows exactly. Let me put it this way: a Supreme Court verdict has a potential -three- reasonings. One is the majority, the deciding vote. The next is the minority, the vote opposite the majority. But the third is the vote with the majority, but for an alternative reason. We in the democratic party have the first two, but not the third. At DU, stating the second and third can land you in hot water with reactionary users who don't like to be questioned- this is baaad. People here love politics, but sometimes they love it too much. Democrats who foam at the mouth and bellow their opinions, closing their ears and their minds... they're going to scare away young voters and moderates/fence sitters.

[Skittles]

7. ?????

abortion and gay marriage are big issues for teenagers?

[Guy Fawkes]

9. Social issues are big.

Perhaps I should add war to the list. But honestly, I think that social issues are going to be a huge thing in the next pres. election. Kids don't care about welfare and social security- most of my peers don't understand those things. They don't care about the PATRIOT ACT either (caps because its an acronym). Things that get my blood boiling barely register with most of my peers- they don't care about long term political issues, just social ones.

Tax cuts? Most of these kids don't pay taxes. Minimum wage is a big thing, as are college expenses. Not much else, though.

[Skittles]

14. ok back to social issues....

what's the general feeling on these issues among teenagers ? I desperately hope most teenage girls are aware of how endangered their rights really are.

[Guy Fawkes]

16. There seems to be a 70/30 split...

Religious conservatism makes up a large amount of popular opinion, but I'd say that the majority of people 16-18 understand sexual health issues (abortion, abstinence education, etc). For a lot of people that I've known, they go through these abstinence programs and get really pissed that they haven't been taught anything real, so they do research on their own. Who do you think gives out sex information, the AFA? Planned Parenthood, SIECUS, Go ask Alice! and other sites are influential in forming opinions on issues like abortion.

(Also, Savage Love is getting really popular)

[Skittles]

27. I keep forgetting how much easier it is for you to get information

back in "my day", I could be a fan of a rock group for years and never know what they looked like. :)

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

10. Exactly! It's those type of people who are no better than most of the

arrogant repubs. Any arrogance is a real turn off for me. In fact, it's them (as well as seeing republicans doing the same thing) that makes me ashamed to be in either party. Because of that, I'm a proud Libertarian Anarchist (who supports dems because they have a platform a hell of a lot better than republicans, have some good social ideass, and the libertarians will never get into office :P)

In response to OP, I think that world is slowly going to hell, and I'm waiting for something big to happen and give everyone the neccesary kick in the teeth to make them realize what's happening, so we can start to fix it. I'm supporting dems because they have a better platform than republicans, and might actually do something to fix up the world.

[matcom]

4. I'm a teenager and...

i'd like to meet other teenage girls (preferably 18-19) who are looking for "fun". (it will help GREATLY if your father owns a liquor store)

i'm just sayin'

:hide:

[ZombieNixon]

5. Funny, I'm a teenage guy looking for the exact same thing.

'Cept I'm not lying about my age to get it. :P

[Deja Q]

11. How about an eager 34 year old instead?

:D

[LaurenG]

6. : 0

[Skittles]

8. I WILL KICK YOUR MIDDLE-AGED ASS

now get OUTTA here already matcom! :D

[Guy Fawkes]

12. Isn't that what MySpace is for?

:scared: So many news stories about that site...

[greatauntoftriplets]

13. And just WHAT does Mrs. Matcom say about that, young man???

:eyes:

[matcom]

15. sssshhhhhhhh

we don't REALLY have to tell her do we?

*PLEASE*??????111

:D

[LadyoftheRabbits]

17. Good evening!

I'm 19 and relatively new here, but certainly not new as a Democrat. As a female, I'd say the issue concerning a woman's right to choose is pretty big, though I pay attention to many things, namely foreign policy. The pro-choice vs. pro-life debate is big on my campus as well, seeing as the pro-lifers have taken to not just screaming hellfire and damnation on the grassy oval, but also sending up airplanes with banners showing aborted fetuses as well. Many students engage in arguments, sometimes screaming matches with these characters, and I always want to stop and listen... (even if it's akin to watching a car crash).
I'd definitely say there is a great deal of apathy among people my age with regards to politics. Most people I talk to just don't want to get involved because politics is too ugly nowadays, and they don't understand how anything applies to them.
:eyes:

[hippywife]

18. Welcome to DU!

We all think your mom is pretty great and it's wonderful that you are joining her here. :hi:

[LadyoftheRabbits]

19. Thanks!

:7 :hi: I think she's OK too. :P

[Skittles]

28. honestly

I truly can understand the apathy - the political arena right now is a bad, bad joke

[otherlander]

20. okay...

What my generation thinks about the political climate: Not enough. But our parents' generation is hardly better. It'll change as we get older, though. Some people I know have said that they aren't getting involved until they turn 18 and can vote, which is disappointing, because it takes a long time to come to understand everything that's affecting the political climate. But I think my generation is at least somewhat more politically aware than previous ones.

The direction America is heading in: I haven't been around for that long, so I hesitate to say that it's that much worse than the Nixon era. I'm more worried about the world in general, which I think is being more and more dominated by a few powerful people who fight each other for reasons that have NOTHING to do with the people of the world.

The Democratic party: I think it's much better than the Republican party, to say the least. I'm still thinking about what I'll register as when I turn 18. My opinions are closer to Green, which I wouldn't waste my vote on when the stakes are so high, but this does make me consider registering Independent, although I should probably register Democrat, so I can have a say in the primaries.

I won't pretend that they aren't corporately dominated, but there are many within the party who I strongly support. This being said, I think that even the true Progressives need to get back behind the worker's rights movement more than they have been doing. Most Americans would want to vote for someone who promised them a chance to earn living wages, and being anti-NAFTA would go a long way in improving relations with other countries, especially in South America.

[Skittles]

29. oh dear

I hope you know I never meant to imply other generations were more involved politically; I guess my reason for asking about you young folk is I see a huge load on your shoulders concerning the direction of America - it is seriously off-course right now

[otherlander]

36. oh, I know.

I just have to keep reminding myself, actually, that it's no worse than it ever was because it's so frustrating when everyone acts like it has nothing to do with them when in fact it has EVERYTHING to do with them. One girl actually told me- not even trying to be rude, this is just the way her mind works- that I "just liked to protest". GAHHH!!! What I felt like doing was screaming at the top of my lungs, "Well, maybe you'd feel a bit differently about it if your family was dead and you only had four hours of electricity a day!" What I did say was nothing.

[Skittles]

37. OK otherlander take a tip from Skittles

next time say exactly what is on your mind - believe me, it will help to relieve that frustration :)

[NJ Democrats]

22. My generation really doesn't give a shit

The only politics they hear are on the Daily Show, the Colbert Report, and tv ads. There are some who do care and want to do something about it, but not many.
As for me and the Dem party, I generally agree with the party, but our leadership needs to toughen up, and contrary to what most Duers that, we need to have a party that isn't all liberal (ie, the Nelson and Lieberman)

[Skittles]

30. I'm a big fan of TDS and Colbert

sad as it is to say, I believe you get way more truth from them than you do our corporate media....it's been established that TDS veiwers are more informed and more intelligent than FOX viewers

[catbert836]

23. Not a whole helluva lot.

That's the problem. We are generally disinterested in politics, and we don't really see how it affects our lives. Which is to say that our viewpoint isn't that different from the generations that preceded us. However, it may matter this time, because our Earth has never been in greater danger.

For the Democratic Party, if you'll excuse me for being blunt, it just seems like they do the same things as the Republicans, except slower.

[Skittles]

31. you nail it, catbert

I see a huge load on the shoulders of your generation

[Random_Australian]

24. Political climate? You are going to reclaim power in the short term.

(Edit 1: I may have misread, I give my own opinion first)What I think in the long term possibly won't be taken the right way, so think it through please.

There are a few likely things that can happen to America. The best of your options is not good; that your economy and power will collapse. There is a path through that that would lead to people wising up collectively. :)

That is your best shot, pretty much. Don't worry, 'collapse' is not as severe as it sounds.

What do I think of the democratic party? It has many people in it who are there because they can play politics as opposed to other qualities. It is much, MUCH better than the republican party.

Finally, I think that you will need a right wing party in the long term. Not like the one you have now, but the old sensible type. You know, like the guy who said 'I believe the government should stay out of your pockets, and out of your wombs' (or similar). He was booed off stage, one of the first signals that the republicans were bieng taken over by the religious right.

Can't have an echo chamber, after all. In fact, the best thing that could happen politically is that so many go into the democratic party that it eventually splits into two (or more) equal groups, but remain amicable.

Edit: And what does my generation in general think? It doesn't know. Haven't you heard, it's a battle of words and most of them are lies (as per the Pink Floyd lyric I am hearing right now)

[Skittles]

32. always good to hear from those outside America

:hi:

[Random_Australian]

35. And an 18 yo guy too, so still a teenager by hereabouts standards.

[sakabatou]

25. Most teenagers, IMO, don't give a crap about politics

[dubeskin]

26. 15 Year-Old Male Here!!!

Most of my friends, unfortunately I live in a heavy conservative district, really don't care. I ask them, and they say "It doesn't affect me, so I don't care." Now that seems to be the general philosophy of the Republican party, but I try to convince them that it all will. Most people I go to school with are also of that "I LOVE war" age where they play the War games and shotting and violence like video games. What even bugs me is that fact that they express it. One friend has a shirt that says "Happiness is a Mushroom Cloud." They get their news from their parents or from school and through the grapevine. Most don't listen to the Daily Show and Colbert Report, and I can't imagine many read the newspapers, the dumbshits who they are. And they will just float along with their parents views. When I was in 5th grade, I asked people what their view was. Most people answered, and I asked why. They said because their parents thought that, and most people continue with that mindset.

I think the direction America is heading is completely wrong. There are almost TOO MANY PROBLEMS to describer them all, however, most of them are completely wrong. For example, gay marriage and abortion. I believe people should be able to do what they like, well, scratch that, just these should be allowed and couple other things. If everyone did what they liked, well, we'll leave it at that.

I think the Democratic party is wonderful, and would someday like to get into politics, even possibly become state senator, or, *gasp* President. I (really bold that) think I have good ideas for this country, but maybe I don't. Who knows? I also think the best party(our) is being pulled along by the Republican party. I do not believe we have enough do'ers than we do say'ers. More people will talk and hate and want change, but they won't actually do anything. Especially my age. When school starts back up again, I am going to start a "Young Democrats for a Better America and Brighter Tomorrow" Club at my school so hopefully I can help motivate others.

But we can only hope and see what happens. The last thing I would like to say is this. We need to screen teachers. I believe teachers should be somewhat like Supreme Court Justices. I believe that if a teacher is too political or religious, that can get mixed in with their lessons, which reflects us. More than once this year have I been told to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance against my will. Thanks for reading this, I am sure you probably didn't.

[Skittles]

33. you raise an interesting point

I am the lone liberal in a sea of corporate conservatives in North Texas - when I try to figure out WHY they vote republican, it is usually BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO. This is very disturbing because they are voting against their own self-interests.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

38. Well, my sister just graduated HS, so these are my observations of her

and her friends...

They're all pretty liberal. They think Bush is stupid. They support gay rights, are pro-choice and realize the war's a sham and they want the troops home. They're all stereotypical "get drunk in the woods on cheap beer" popular kids, so it'd seem like they'd be most likely to be Republican, but they really don't trust either political party.

However...

None of them are actually interested in politics. They don't think anything they do will help and are generally just apathetic. If we could get them mobilized, then I think we could exact a good deal of change in the country. However, we need to get them interested. My sister is the only registered voter out of the group, but she hasn't voted. I'll probably drag her out though.