young people of today don't get involved because there is no consequence for them

[demtenjeep]

Watching "The Sixties" right now

it struck me...


I have been talking to my Sr. students. A couple of them have turned 18 . They asked why they should care about the election. Aside from the obvious trump and his race baiting , these kids need to know how to look out for their future. There is no draft now so even if they don't register, there is no real consequence.

Maybe if we reinstated the draft and minus war sent them for a couple of years to training they would pay more attention.

[RepubliCON-Watch]

1. I don't want to sound short but...

as an 18 year old, I strongly dislike when older people say things like this because it's like me saying that maybe if we eliminate SS or cut Medicaid, then older people would start voting for there interest or even, start voting. And also, how would that work in regards to who's going and where they are going? Why don't we try to encourage more attendees to colleges instead of more attendees to some disciplinary training. Respectfully, this is how you lose the youth today with this kind of statement.

[JustAnotherGen]

8. As a 43 year old

I respectfully agree with your post.

Co Signed,

Just Another Gen- exer

[surrealAmerican]

9. Well said.

This baby-boomer agrees.

[demmiblue]

12. +1

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. The challenges young people face today aren't on the national agenda

and when they do make it into public discourse they are dismissed as entitled and ignorant.

[bemildred]

3. Maybe we should offer them better opportunites in life.

I grew up in the 50s and 60s and the current environment looks sucky to me. I don't blame them for being disgruntled.

[The Traveler]

4. The nation functions like an oligarchy

Popular will on the issues is basically ignored by the political class except during election cycles when they become weather vanes. Hence, voter apathy and it ain't just young people.

Trav

[Scootaloo]

5. "Maybe if we reinstated the draft"? Sure thing. So long as the numbers start where we left off in 72

Always amuses me, the only people who think a draft is a good idea are the people who know they're safe from it. Let's see the 101st Hoverround Division scoot out to battle, then we'll talk about it again, see what you think.

[Warren DeMontague]

7. I agree. And Im fairly friggin old. But every time someone starts blarting this nonsense

I say "draft, great, we can start with people in their 60s and 70s, and work backward. They're statistically less productive, and it would save the younger generation the trouble of having to cover the boomers' oversized social security and medicaid outlays."

"Um, er, arrrrrrrrr.... no, thats NOT what i meant!"

[Warren DeMontague]

6. THEY NEED TO GET OFF MY LAWN, TOO

[Yo_Mama]

10. Plenty of young people are very poliically aware. They have a lack of faith in the system,

and they doubt that their votes will make a difference. Plenty of older people have the same feeling.

You seem to be suggesting that we should legally force younger people into the services in order to terrify them into voting your way? If that is your real intent, it is obvious that every young person should vote AGAINST your way.

Really now, I hope you have another cup of coffee and rethink.

[MH1]

11. I agree with national service (not "the draft" and not only for military) BUT

I think that's a simplistic view of why young people don't vote.

There is a huge consequence for them, regardless of military service. A big part of the problem is that they don't understand the consequences and how their one vote and their advocacy for a candidate or policy CAN make a difference. This is something that can be taught outside of requiring military service.

(For the record, I served 8 years in the military, voluntarily, and have thought for as long as I can remember that universal national service is the model the US should follow.)