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Until young people actually start voting who gives a shit what they support? Not politicians. I don't say this because I like the current status quo, just bec

Until young people actually start voting who gives a shit what they support? Not politicians. I don't say this because I like the current status quo, just because I recognize the reality of the situation. I wish young people (in the US, the country of my citizenship) would actually vote in significant numbers, but all the data says they just don't (yet).

lambdasquirrel 7y ago
Young people do grow up. Younger liberals and conservatives are fairly solid on this category of issues. This isn't a case where people are going to grow up and lean Republican. People are going to remember who wasn't there for them when climate whiplash destroys their home.
- georgemcbay 7y ago
  Why should any current politician care if they remember? They will likely be out of office when the shit really hits the fan, especially if President. For better or for worse (for worse, IMO) there was a big shift sometime around the late 80s early 90s where politicians in the US by and large stopped caring about "legacy". As long as they get elected in the next cycle, its all good (for them).
- munk-a 7y ago
  Can we please attack this problem in some manner that doesn't involve letting the world burn to a crisp just so we can say "I told you so"? I agree, if climate change goes unchecked there will be ample opportunity for "I told you so"s but I'd rather check climate change - and it's important enough to do that I'm willing to give up gloating rights and say "Hey look, we all came together and solved this issue."
Dumblydorr 7y ago
Young people voting probably didn't enter Trumps mind. To me this feels like signaling pro-fossil, anti-regulation in one swoop. It probably will have a minuscule effect in actuality, its just Trump loving manly oil and powerful industry. Keep in mind this man is likely mentally unfit, looking for rationality is a fools errand.
Natales 7y ago
Sadly, you bring up a very good point. I'm 50 myself, but I work in the software industry where I interact with a lot of young programmers, and more than once I've heard "nah, I don't vote. No reason". The argument of "hey, if you don't vote, other people will make decisions that will affect your life anyways" doesn't seem to resonate, and I really don't know how to get through.
phil248 7y ago
Young people did start voting. In 2018 there was a 16 point jump from 2014. Much higher than the 11 point overall increase.

lambdasquirrel 7y ago

Young people do grow up. Younger liberals and conservatives are fairly solid on this category of issues. This isn't a case where people are going to grow up and lean Republican. People are going to remember who wasn't there for them when climate whiplash destroys their home.

georgemcbay 7y ago
Why should any current politician care if they remember? They will likely be out of office when the shit really hits the fan, especially if President. For better or for worse (for worse, IMO) there was a big shift sometime around the late 80s early 90s where politicians in the US by and large stopped caring about "legacy". As long as they get elected in the next cycle, its all good (for them).
munk-a 7y ago
Can we please attack this problem in some manner that doesn't involve letting the world burn to a crisp just so we can say "I told you so"? I agree, if climate change goes unchecked there will be ample opportunity for "I told you so"s but I'd rather check climate change - and it's important enough to do that I'm willing to give up gloating rights and say "Hey look, we all came together and solved this issue."

Dumblydorr 7y ago

Young people voting probably didn't enter Trumps mind. To me this feels like signaling pro-fossil, anti-regulation in one swoop. It probably will have a minuscule effect in actuality, its just Trump loving manly oil and powerful industry. Keep in mind this man is likely mentally unfit, looking for rationality is a fools errand.

Natales 7y ago

Sadly, you bring up a very good point. I'm 50 myself, but I work in the software industry where I interact with a lot of young programmers, and more than once I've heard "nah, I don't vote. No reason". The argument of "hey, if you don't vote, other people will make decisions that will affect your life anyways" doesn't seem to resonate, and I really don't know how to get through.

phil248 7y ago

Young people did start voting. In 2018 there was a 16 point jump from 2014. Much higher than the 11 point overall increase.