4 ms·

I think many of these problems could be minimized, mitigated or some completely eliminated if millennials would actually vote. But they don't. And I don't fores

I think many of these problems could be minimized, mitigated or some completely eliminated if millennials would actually vote. But they don't. And I don't foresee that ever changing. It was the same problem with my generation, gen-x (born in 1980 so I'm not quite a gen-x, not quite a millennial). We just didn't vote. I don't believe the <30 crowd has ever been a big voting bloc, at any point in U.S history. Though, I noticed many of my facebook friends started voting once they hit their early 30s. I think that's when people start to settle down in life and either have the time to study/figure out politics, or get more interested in it. It might be the time where their youthful naive idealism vanishes and they realize that true change is a slow process. They become more pragmatic and more realistic. Much of their concerns tend to be more local/regional where their votes actually hold some power. It's less about voting in a president who can wave a magic wand and create their ideal utopia overnight and more about voting in a local city councilman or state senator who will best represent their interests. People they have actually met in real life and shook their hands.

makomk 11y ago
Here in the UK, the parties that millenials did vote for promptly went back on the promises they made to get those votes.
- msandford 11y ago
  As does every party ever elected, except in rare instances.
- Symbiote 11y ago
  And that party is now ruined, so perhaps that mistake won't be repeated.
- Latty 11y ago
  No, what happened was they became the lesser partner in a coalition, and delivered a lot from that position (the policies during that period were much, much better than they would have otherwise been). The idea that somehow they should have delivered on all of their policies from that position is laughable. Would they have been better served not being able to influence government at all? (This all goes to show how broken FPTP is, of course.) Then, because of thinking like that in your post, people gave up on voting for them, despite being the best possible representation.
eli_gottlieb 11y ago
I vote in every election I'm around for, including the municipal ones and the Super Tuesday primary tomorrow. That doesn't mean those elections are actually contested, or actually involve anyone I really want to vote for. As in, my last municipal election involved five candidates running for four city council seats. I had to pick which one not to vote for! I'm entitled to be a little resentful when the term "Massachusetts liberal" exists as an insult, a perennial way of kicking my state in the shins and telling us our voice will always be overridden.
Torgo 11y ago
I think it is that when you get older you start noticing all the things the system is providing, and realizing how you're tied to it and how it is tied to that process.
jdub 11y ago
Turning up to vote is compulsory in Australia (for which I am incredibly thankful). That said, voting gives you a democratic voice, but it doesn't give you power.

makomk 11y ago

Here in the UK, the parties that millenials did vote for promptly went back on the promises they made to get those votes.

msandford 11y ago
As does every party ever elected, except in rare instances.
Symbiote 11y ago
And that party is now ruined, so perhaps that mistake won't be repeated.
Latty 11y ago
No, what happened was they became the lesser partner in a coalition, and delivered a lot from that position (the policies during that period were much, much better than they would have otherwise been). The idea that somehow they should have delivered on all of their policies from that position is laughable. Would they have been better served not being able to influence government at all? (This all goes to show how broken FPTP is, of course.) Then, because of thinking like that in your post, people gave up on voting for them, despite being the best possible representation.

eli_gottlieb 11y ago

I vote in every election I'm around for, including the municipal ones and the Super Tuesday primary tomorrow. That doesn't mean those elections are actually contested, or actually involve anyone I really want to vote for. As in, my last municipal election involved five candidates running for four city council seats. I had to pick which one not to vote for! I'm entitled to be a little resentful when the term "Massachusetts liberal" exists as an insult, a perennial way of kicking my state in the shins and telling us our voice will always be overridden.

Torgo 11y ago

I think it is that when you get older you start noticing all the things the system is providing, and realizing how you're tied to it and how it is tied to that process.

jdub 11y ago

Turning up to vote is compulsory in Australia (for which I am incredibly thankful). That said, voting gives you a democratic voice, but it doesn't give you power.