May 12, 2010
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| Getting Involved |
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Christian Fong, Cedar Rapids
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Generation Iowa is typically defined as being thirty-five years old or younger. We are Iowa’s next generation. At this age, many of us are already raising young families. The next generation is, well, busy caring for the NEXT next generation.
Like many of my Generation X peers, I have discovered that having kids marks a transition in my priorities. It’s a slippery slope of responsibility. I paid off my college loans, and promptly opened college savings plans for my three kids. I paid less attention to mad money stock tips, and saved up rainy day funds instead. I also decided that if I really cared about my kids, it was time to stop putting off getting involved in building a bright future for their state. That’s why I vote.
Yeah, I vote. Voting is a bit of dying art, especially when it comes to state-level, off-cycle elections. By way of explanation, “off-cycle elections” are the years we vote for our Governor. This year is one of those years. (Easy way to remember: Winter Olympics years are off-cycle years. Summer Olympics years are the main event, when we vote for President. And just like the Winter Olympics draw fewer people, off-cycle elections draw fewer voters. A lot fewer!)
Every age group is a little less likely to vote in 2010. The next generation is the worst! In fact, in Iowa’s off-cycle elections, the next generation simply does not show up in great enough numbers to have much of an impact. The chart shows how dramatic the difference is between age groups. While nearly 3 in 4 of Iowa’s registered voters over the age of fifty voted in our last Governor’s election, just 1 in 4 under the age of thirty-five showed up to the polls in 2006.
It is no wonder that politicians are counseled to craft a message that appeals to older Iowans. Why spend time speaking to people who do not even vote? Equally unnecessary is actually crafting laws or executing policy in ways that win the hearts and minds of young Iowans. There is, simply put, very little accountability from the next generation.
So if you have some issue, whether it is reining in deficit spending, creating better jobs, improving schools, or making your community a better place, what should you do? It is hard to over-simplify this. Go vote. Get involved. In 2010, choose to make a difference.
How? Use this easy checklist:
First, go register to vote. Start at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website here.
Second, get involved. Contact a candidate who you like, or one of the political parties (Republicans and Democrats).
Better yet, join other next generation voices at one of the one-stop-shop, non-partisan initiatives that helps you stay involved in simple ways. My personal favorite, right here in Iowa, is The Iowa Dream Project.
Third, do it now. The earlier you start, the more impact you have, simply because you are one of a few, instead of one of many. Absentee ballots are available for the June 8th primaries.
Finally, I have heard from a lot of people that they care about the issues and future, but can’t stand the mean-spirited tone of politics. Don’t let it stop you. Be the change you want to see. Let’s be the generation that listens well instead of shouting other people down. Let’s bring the Golden Rule back to politics, and treat our opponents as respectfully as we want to be treated. Let’s solve problems, instead of shouting slogans. Those are Iowa values that most of us can agree on.
I said at the beginning of this article that parenting is a slippery slope of responsibility. Civic involvement is the same way. If you are like me, you might go from handing out bumper stickers to finding your name ON the bumper sticker. But however far you go, you will find that not only will you change as you get involved, but Iowa is going to change. And when the next generation finds its voice, and gets involved, Iowa is going to be changed for the better.
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| "Mr. Fong, this is exactly what I have been advocating in my district. I would really enjoy talking with you more in depth about these issues. If you are so inclined to give me some time I would appreciate it very much.
Cheers,
Eric Villhauer
ericvillhauer@gmail.com" |
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