As the November election approaches rapidly, America waits with bated breath. Many are worried, but I don’t think pessimism is a productive lens from which to view the leaders who govern us. I want to see more discussion about what legislators can do in the next presidential cycle, regardless of who wins, instead of childish attacks ad hominem.
As a member of Generation Z, the youngest voting demographic, I will have more time to witness the impact of change-making policies than geriatric politicians, as does the average American, who is almost 39 years old. In general, people are more likely to vote as they get older, making Gen Z underrepresented in politics. However, if politics were more geared towards topics that Gen Z is interested in, perhaps more younger people would vote.
One example of this is climate policy. If former President Donald Trump were elected for another term, he would likely embrace the deregulatory agenda, prioritizing business over the environment. The older generation is more concerned with the economy, perhaps because they don’t have to deal with the consequences of climate change as heavily.
Also, as globalization continues to increase, intergovernmental relations become more salient. Trump’s heavy criticisms of NATO members who do not meet defense spending targets and his threats that he will not defend allied countries are significant causes for concern. I do not want to see America lose its place in the world order, especially with great power competition, and burning bridges with one of the most powerful intergovernmental entities is not the way forward.
The Democrats also have their fair share of concerns. With the future of the Liberal Party increasingly uncertain, University of California, Berkeley political scientist M. Steven Fish says it best: “Either get tough or get ready to lose.” The liberals must find a way to embrace patriotism; we want to be proud of our country, not ashamed.
Acknowledgment: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual author.
