My generation has a huge battle ahead of it.
Last edited Wed Aug 22, 2012, 10:02 PM - Edit history (2)
Hey everyone. Awhile back I somewhat introduced myself on a thread as a politically active 17 year old, who, with pretty much everyone else my age and near it, has all the reason to be concerned with the current affairs of our nation. And why not?
We have a political party who has financially ruined our country, turning a Clinton surplus into a massive debt of over 10 trillion dollars, the result of economic mismanagement ranging from cutting taxes on those who had absolutely no need for them and would not do anything with them for the average American to having two unpaid, illegal wars, leaving our generation with the bills, and the last one having more than financial implications.
We have a political party who has announced that "corporations are people", and have aided them in shipping millions of American jobs overseas, jobs our generation severely need, all for the sake of maximizing profits and escaping their duty as technical citizens in paying taxes.
A party whose politicians have engineered the eroding of our Constitution by passing bills such as the Patriot Act, expanding "free speech zones", trying to suppress the vote of citizens by whatever means necessary, attempting to censor the internet and generally viciously attacking anyone who does not parrot their hateful, divisive party line slandering them as communists, fascists, and the like.
Education is clearly not a priority, as perhaps best illustrated by the Texas GOP, which has taken a stand against the horrors of "critical thinking". They favor blocking the teaching of relevant subject material such as evolution, and substituting in its place the completely unscientific alternative of creationism, a symptom of the the pervasive ignorance that ails the party. Let's cut funding while we're at it, we don't need more educated young Americans.
Health care is a privilege, not a right to these people. As long as they can provide for themselves and their families thanks to their own taxpayer-subsidized health care and the millions they make in their own private corrupt bargains, the rest can simply become bankrupt thanks to an illness, disease or condition that they had no desire to contract, maybe even die off in the process. Even better to them, as it reduces the surplus population. I know many young people whose families have suffered because of this. The rest of the industrialized, civilized, if I may, world recognizes the opposite. Why do we continue to the point in the direction of callousness and moral irresponsibility in the face of overwhelming evidence?
They have begun to wage a war on just about every group who is not like them. Women (particularly in these past few days), ethnic minorities, LGBT, the middle class, the poor, the elderly, and everyone else are not safe from their onslaught of stupidity, benightedness, and sheer insanity.
Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Their foreign policy is more or less unchecked "freedom building", being the world police (anything to justify the massive defense budget and the military-industrial complex), and throwing a healthy amount of disrespect at our allies for good measure. Global warming is a liberal hoax, the environment is our playground. To paralyze an entire nation by obstructing progress simply to spite the "liberal muslim marxist" president and attempt to relegate him to one term
is acceptable. The list goes on and on.
The Republican Party is this nation's very own modern domestic threat, which is why you, the adults of today, must do all you can to stave off their incessant threat to bring us back to the age long gone of barbaric simplicity and backwardness. But for the future, I have a few bright spots for my generation.
We are young, energetic and full of life. Perhaps as many of you remember in your own youth, we have plenty of idealism and optimism for the future, in spite of the massive challenges we face.
We are the most tolerant generation to date. While bigots certainly and unfortunately exist, for the most part we see each other as what we truly are: fellow Americans. As each succeeding generation dies out and the ignorance they carry goes out with them, this bright spot will only increase.
We are what many consider the technology savvy generation. We are the direct recipients of the massive proliferation of technology, and its incredible advances from the past few decades, all the way to right now. This is what will potentially make or break this generation. If we can somehow harness this massive force for good, from the disseminating of information for education all the way to using it to provide jobs, we can thrive in the future.
Yes, our generation has its problems. Things such as broken families and alcohol and drug abuse are two problems that come to mind. But then again, which generation hasn't had its own obstacles? I believe that if my generation works together to achieve the original promise laid down in the Constitution, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and to work for the betterment of all Americans, it is no exaggeration to say that America's brightest days are still ahead. We are young, we are ambitious, and we love our country and its people. We love the values that it represents, freedom and justice for all, and the belief that with one's sweat and blood, one can prosper. We have faith in the belief that we Americans are forever united as one in the face of adversity, and while that concept may seem more remote in the realities of today, there is no reason why this belief can't be true in the future. In the legendary words of our President, "there is not a liberal America and a conservative America, there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America, there’s the United States of America."
And we, ladies and gentlemen, are Americans, together in this fight. Thank you.
EDIT: I am truly humbled and in awe by all your responses, and can't thank each and everyone of you enough. It's my hope that both our generations can someday join hands and work together to keep this nation progressing forward, not backwards. Thanks to you all again.
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Just kidding.
I applaud you for your insights and I applaud your famly for allowing you to learn, to make your own choices and to be an asset to our society. 
BTW, stay with us, it's long voyage.
To serve the people would be an honor and a privilege. I have no idea where to start though 
This country has been going to hell in a handcart since Raygun was elected in 1980. He did an enormous amount of damage to this country it would have taken at least a generation to repair. Bush II, with plenty of help from Bill Clinton (NAFTA, the Telecom Act, bank deregulation that led to the Great Implosion of the economy) nearly finished us off. I do not envy your generation. When I was your age all things seemed possible. Sadly, that will not be the case for your generation.
With many more like you, I feel hopeful for our country. Thanks for posting - we like having you here.
Take a bow.
You and your generation are already making a difference.
Welcome to DU! 
From an old and dying generation,
remember these words:
Among these are:
*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
*The right of every family to a decent home;
*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
*The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being."
--FDR, Economic Bill of Rights, SOTU, 1944
Please note that FDR stipulated the above Democratic Party Values as Basic Human Rights to be protected by our Government of the People,
and NOT commodities to be sold to Americans by For Profit Corporations.
The above values combined with strong regulations on Corporations and International Trade,
Protection of The Commons (Anti-Privatization),
Trickle UP Economic Policies,
and strong LABOR Unions
built the wealthiest, largest, and most upwardly mobile Middle/Working Class the World has ever seen.
A return TO and a revival OF these Traditional Democratic Party Values would have the same results.
Good Luck.
---bvar22
[font color=firebrick][center]The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR. [/font][/center]
[font size=5 color=firebrick]Solidarity99![/font]
I like our chances.
Cheers.
you make me proud. Excellent rant, and I do hope that we all can work things out for you and your generation. Just know that we are getting old and tired, and appreciate having young people help with the load.
Welcome to DU.
Great post! Gives me hope for this country.
On facebook to my dismay all of my cousins, siblings, aunts & uncles are Conservatives! When I was growing up we were democrats like our grandparents/parents were. What happened?
Religion. Preachers are the problem. They tell them who to vote for. They tell them that "liberals are Godless". So they went over to the dark side thinking they're pleasing god. I've tried to talk some sense in them to no avail. Just be prepare for this one. For me, I think for myself and consider myself a free thinker.
Keep it up!! And welcome to DU
