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First, Michael Phelps is unbelievable. I grew up just a few miles away from him in the suburbs of Baltimore. We went to rival high schools (although I am a few years older then him). But it was really cool to see how successful he has become. Eight years ago after the Sydney games, only people around Baltimore knew his name, and we knew that in four years he would be big in swimming. Now, however, it is totally incredible what he has done. Everyone in B-more is so proud of him and so happy with how he represented our country and our beloved city.
Now, back to current events. I must admit that I haven't been keeping up on the news too much lately. The Olympics really ruled my life for those two weeks. I know that Russia and the United States are once again supposedly headed for a second Cold War over Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia (at least that's what the media tells us, but I think they are being a little dramatic--again). The situation isn't good, but we can't afford another conflict with anyone. This is time for diplomacy, which is scary because the Bush administration isn't very good at that--nor do they like to utilize it. I also know that Afghanistan is getting worse, Iraq's government has told W. where he can shove it, and that John McCain has picked a woman for his VP--one with very little experience. This is an obvious attempt to lure Hillary supporters to his side. Must be nice to know that you were only picked because you might generate a few more votes, not because of your experience, expertise or respect within the party. Oh, and Dennis Kucinich rocks. His "Wake up, America" speech was awesome--he sure does pack a lot of punch for such a little man.
Speaking of speeches, Michelle Obama's speech on Monday night was incredible. It was so heartfelt, genuine and honest. I know she was trying to sell an image of her husband and their family to the public, but the thing is, everything she said was true. She didn't embelish or exagerate anything. She told the truth. It moved me to tears and I love Michelle now just as much as I love her husband. She will make an awesome first lady--much like the one we had in the 1990's.
And speaking of our former first lady, Hillary's speech on Tuesday was also incredible. One of the best I've ever seen her give (and hopefully now the media will stop all that nonsense about feuding between the Clinton camp and the Obama camp--can I get an Amen!). She too was honest, genuine and like the Hillary of old, a total ball buster. Except this time she was busting the balls of her supporters who say they won't vote for Obama. I'd like to say alittle something to those Hillary supporters myself. If you say you are a democrat, if you say you love this country and want to see change, if you say you are a patriot, then you must vote for Obama. If you don't, you are none of those things. You are stubborn, bitter and selfish. Get over yourselves, already. Clinton lost, fair and square. She played her cards well, but Obama played his a little better. Now it is time we came together to defeat a party that has destroyed our country over the last eight years. Like Hillary asked, why did you vote for her? Was it because of her, or why she was running--to change this country, to make it better for all Americans? Her and Obama have the same ideas, they only differed slightly in how they would implement them. So if you liked Hillary's motivation for running for president, then you should like Obama's as well.
But it isn't just bitter Clinton supporters who could ruin this election for Obama. It has come to my attention that the one demographic that Obama is expected to carry, and absolutely needs to carry in order to win, might not be there for him. I'm talking about the 18-29 demographic, or the Millennial Generation. Most of us here at Campus Progress are Millennials, and I feel like I'm preaching to the choir when I talk about the importance of voting but I must say it anyway. A recent poll just reported that a slight majority of 18-24 year olds would feel more secure if McCain were president. I don't know why, but that is how they feel. Another poll suggested that if only people 35 and under were allowed to vote, Obama would win by 20 points. Conflicting numbers, but one thing is clear: We Millennials must get out and vote, and that vote must be for Obama.
If you want more affordable healthcare and education, then Obama is your man. If you want a healthier economy with higher wages, more jobs and more stablility, then Obama is your man. If you want an end to global warming, then Obama is your man. If you to end our addiction to oil, then Obama is your man. If you want less tax breaks to the wealthy and more tax breaks to middle class Americans, then Obama is your man. If you want to restore our constitutional rights and have a more open government, then Obama is your man. If you want to restore America's respect and leadership in the world, then Obama is your man. If you want more aid money to go to poverty-striken countries, to fight HIV/AIDS, to feed the hungry, then Obama is your man. If you want a responsible end to the war in Iraq, then Obama is your man. If you want a new stragety in the "war on terror", then Obama is your man. If you want a change of direction for our country and for the world, then Obama is your man. It is a no-brainer, people.
This election year, Millennials have the chance to make history. We have all seen the numbers, we know how close the race is. Most likely it will come down to one demographic that is the decider, and most likely that demographic will be Millennials. We have a choice--a very important choice. Don't pretend like your vote doesn't matter because it does. And don't say that all politicians are the same and they don't care about what you think because some of them do. The fact is we live in a democracy--a government for the people, by the people and of the people. If we don't like what our government is doing, we can change it. Our government is the way it is because we allowed it to get that way. We allowed them to take away our constitutional rights. We allowed them to implement policy after policy that hurt our country and our standing in the world. In a democracy, the government should fear the people. In the United States, it appears the people fear the government, and they outright refuse to participate in the democratic process. With these kinds of attitudes, we can only expect more of the same. But every four years the power goes entirely back to the people, and we have the opportunity to tell our government what we want by electing the leader we think should be in office. Because when we vote for someone we aren't voting for them, we are voting for their ideas of how to change our government for the better and how to improve the lives of all Americans. We always have a choice, unfortunately many Americans don't take advantage of that, and then complain when things aren't going the way they want.
Millennials, we must change all of that. I've been listening to what the analysts are saying about our generation and they don't have much faith in us. We have to prove them wrong. We have to show them and the world that a new generation is taking over in America--one that is sick and tired of the same old bullshit and is hell bent on doing something about it. 2008 can be the year that Millennials made their mark on this country--the first of many--but only if we want it to be.
I'll get off my soap box now. Thank you for reading and remember to vote this November.
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