I have started writing this entry about 17 times today, but was never quite able to formulate what I am trying to say enough. It's amazing to me that people continue to call youth voters "apathetic"; I am so full of so many different emotions that they are becoming indistinguishable.
In the past, every election I have followed has been more like watching a sporting event; you really want your team to win, you are kind of let down when they don't, but you forget about it as soon as you walk away. But this time is radically different. I was thoroughly convinced that there was no way Bush would get re-elected. I couldn't even fathom what it would be like if that happened.
And it turns out I am having a hard time fathoming it now that it really has happened.
And I am having a hard time relating this all to the real world. Living in Chicago is a sheltered experience, even if it is the nation's third largest urban area. We are so blanketed in the democratic view that I just assumed the eagerness and excitement I saw around me was carrying on across the country as well. People had such dedication and desire to change the way things are going. Even though neither campaign gave much notice to the youth vote, we were still pumped. And there is a simple reason for this...
The turnout of this election will affect everyone, there is no doubt. But a victory for Bush will effect each and every single person between the ages of 18 - 30, whether they like it our not. They might not realize it, and some might deny that is the case, but everything America stands to lose in the next 4 years bodes heavily negative for the youth of America.
1. The War - Draft? I think so. I expect that another sort of attack will befall American soil, and it will be very easy for Bush to persuade the country to back him as he preserves "the democratic way of life", or "our freedoms". I also suspect that this will spill into countries other than Iraq. And being a globalized "peace-keeping" force for the whole world requires humans. Mostly young, male, American ones. And I know that my little brother will be 18 in just over 2 years. And that scares the living daylights out of me. I have been fairly composed all day, but as soon as I mentioned (and by mentioned I mean actually came to realize as I was saying it) that Jordan being dragged into war was a possibility, I broke down. Is it normal for a 24 year old girl from Illinois to cry over an election that her party just lost? Does this usually happen? Because I was pretty good after 2000. Confused, but emotionally balanced.
2. The Economy - I can barely afford gas as it is. And I drive a fairly gas efficient, early model BMW. But I blew through $10 worth of gas in less than 2 days - Commuting to and from work twice, and driving out to Schaumburg. I can't afford that. Intelligent and adept recent graduates can't get jobs. My sister was unemployed for 3 months. And, because of point 1 mentioned above, it is sure to get worse.
3. The Healthcare system - I also can't afford to insure myself. I don't have insurance because I refuse to bend to a sucky ass job at a corporation during this shitty economy, and work for a small business that can't afford insurance coverage for their employees. And rightfully so - You have to sign over your firstborn for a $5,000 deductible. Because all of the insurance companies all have a little hand on Bush's shoulder, make sure their pockets stay nice and lined. I can barely afford to cover my birth control pills - a cost that averages me $339 a year. And if I can't afford those, I will likely get pregnant. And even though I am staunchly against abortions (for myself, you can do whatever you want - but for me personally I couldn't ever get one, especially being a child that was conceived to unmarried teenagers) I WOULD probably end up getting one simply because I COULD NOT AFFORD THE MEDICAL COSTS OF BIRTHING A CHILD. In short, I would be continuing the nightmare of abortions (which the Bush administration loathes) because of the fact that they can't cut me a FUCKIN BREAK.
I could keep going, but you get it. The next 4 years is going to suck for young people. Because we don't make enough money to make a difference in the way this country is won. Maybe it is just time to revert to our much younger years, and throw a big fucking temper tantrum. We still remember how to do that, right?
