Are the young people going to vote?

[Edward Teach]

Concensus seems to be that if the young people turn out to vote, Kerry wins. If not he probably loses. The youth has never turned out before.

There are a lot of students and teachers here.

What is your feeling about the young people turning out. Will they vote?


Ed

 

[Wicked-N-Erotic]

How young is young?

 

[LadyJeanne]

My sister just graduated college, and she tells me most of the students at her school have very strong opinions about the election.

Are they planning to vote? Hard to say. They say they are, but college students move around a lot so some aren't really sure where they are registered to vote - at home, at school, which dorm or apartment address, gee, where was the last time they voted?

 

[Edward Teach]

How young is young?

Students mainly, Wicked, but lets just say 18-25.


Ed

 

[Edward Teach]

My sister just graduated college, and she tells me most of the students at her school have very strong opinions about the election.

Are they planning to vote? Hard to say. They say they are, but college students move around a lot so some aren't really sure where they are registered to vote - at home, at school, which dorm or apartment address, gee, where was the last time they voted?

That's the big question, Jeanne, will they actually vote. Interest is at an all time high. Also you can now register and change your registration info on the internet in most if not all states, which may have an effect.

I just wondered what the feeling at school is.


Ed

 

[LadyJeanne]

Her campus had a lot of people out registering voters this fall, and there's a lot of political discussion among the students. The professors are not shy about bringing up the issues either. One of them even wove in comments about Bush's disastrous policy in Iraq into his commencement address - I felt like I was back in class again.

I'd say they're informed, even though students tend to live in a bubble, and don't really pay much attention to what's going on out in the real world. This election has penetrated that bubble and they are energized to vote. Unfortunately, this energy is countered by a belief that their vote won't really matter so I'm not putting my money on a huge turnout.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Here's the problem as I see it. Most students are scared to death of this election, so they will try to vote. However, on the campuses where I've been, so many people live in such a condensed area (dorms) that there is a continuous 2 hour line for voting. On a school day during a midterm week (currently is the big midterm week here in UCSD) this is not favorable and so many will keep returning to see if the line has gotten shorter (never does) and thus will not end up voting. This is not to mention the x amount of students who are cut off by the closing of the polls who did make the effort to stand in line. This results in a low student turnout and long rants by aged politicos about "youthful apathy". Now this might be turned around by increased absentee voting among the youth, but for many youth this is their first time in a presidential election and so they may not know how to absentee vote, etc.. plus I've heard that the swing states have been ill-prepared to distribute out the absentee ballots. On the other hand, the percentage of these votes that go to Kerry instead of Nader are likely much higher because of the hard campaigning against Nader among former Nader supporters.

Because of this, who knows? It'll depend on the setup on the campuses in Ohio and Florida. If they're like the UC campuses, then it won't be very good. Still, it's all cutting the wire, who knows how it'll turn out or what continued anti-democratic actions the Repubs will try to eliminate minority and youth voting in Ohio and Florida? It's all up in the air right now. I for one am too numb about it all to care anymore. Someone will win and either way it'll probably be close enough to confirm the effectiveness of tactics that really should've died.

 

[Weird Harold]

That's the big question, Jeanne, will they actually vote. Interest is at an all time high. Also you can now register and change your registration info on the internet in most if not all states, which may have an effect.

One problem I encoutered over the years with young voters is that people livinging in dormatories -- whether military or college dormatories -- are often not considered "residents" and can't vote where they're physically located. (They're classed as "long-term transients")

Consequently they miss the deadlines for registering and voting absentee in their "home of record" by the time the election heats up and they start thinking about voting.

Election laws are constantly changing and voter registration requirements vary so much that I don't know if this is still a problem or not, but it's one reason for a mis-perception of youthful apathy.

 

[Guest]

At my uni the students have been very involved in the election, e.g., many and various gatherings to discuss issues, students working to register voters, a special election night gathering planned for tomw. around a big screen tv in the student center, etc. There is also a polling place on campus just for the students.

Perdita

 

[amicus]

Edward Teach....a loaded question...

While everyone accepts the ideal of each person of age and qualified to vote...should...the matter of those 18-25...especially in college...is a different matter...

No one argues that 9 of 10 college professors and instructors are of the 'Liberal' political persuasion. I have witnessed it myself, so have my daughters.

Further, no one argues that these left wing professors inject politics into their lectures and study requirements.

So it is of small wonder that college students vote overwhelmly left wing...not a surprise at all...

On an unlevel playing field, what would you suggest as a 'proper' countermove against the NEA, the teachers Union, and the Liberal influence on campus?

They are brainwashing these kids and at the same time, putting them 30 to 50 thousand dollars in debt for student loans. I hope they one day realize just what the liberal educational establishment has given them in place of an education. And when they do, lynching will be the least painful punishment.

amicus...

yeah, I know, you ain't got a clue...

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Sigh, amicus,

Hey, guess what, young people don't hold conservative values. Even all the young Republicans at our school are more liberal than the norm. Is this because of brainwashing? Not as far as I can tell. People able to get into universities can usually hold their own in a debate pretty well. Are there the layabouts? The types who followed their parent's leads and now follow the new norms of campus? Possibly, some. Sheep exist in every venue.

Still, I weep at whatever your major was and wherever you got it. Here in the sciences there is little "brainwashing". The profs here don't even acknowledge the election during class except to remind the students when it is. Getting the information out for midterms is more important in the limited time available. Personally, they hold their political biases, but they're able to set them aside when they're being professional. In the humanities, I expect it's much different, but to paint all of the public university departments with as wide a brush as you persist in doing is unfair to the real sciences where real knowledge is transfered.

 

[Edward Teach]

Edward Teach....a loaded question...

While everyone accepts the ideal of each person of age and qualified to vote...should...the matter of those 18-25...especially in college...is a different matter...

No one argues that 9 of 10 college professors and instructors are of the 'Liberal' political persuasion. I have witnessed it myself, so have my daughters.

Further, no one argues that these left wing professors inject politics into their lectures and study requirements.

So it is of small wonder that college students vote overwhelmly left wing...not a surprise at all...

On an unlevel playing field, what would you suggest as a 'proper' countermove against the NEA, the teachers Union, and the Liberal influence on campus?

They are brainwashing these kids and at the same time, putting them 30 to 50 thousand dollars in debt for student loans. I hope they one day realize just what the liberal educational establishment has given them in place of an education. And when they do, lynching will be the least painful punishment.

amicus...

yeah, I know, you ain't got a clue...

Amicus,

You know, until now, I considered most of what you posted as good natured attempts to creat discourse, or simply ill conceived attempts to get attention. I answered you with humor and gave you respect. I now see, however, that I was mistaken. You truly beleive the tripe you spout and have no respect for anyone. Further, you have no manners or the ability to control your emotions. You are an immature, spiteful, pitiful person and not much of a man. I will not lower myself to engage you further.

Edward Teach

 

[amicus]

"You are an immature, spiteful, pitiful person and not much of a man. I will not lower myself to engage you further."

Edward Teach



So be it....


amicus...

 

[Moon Shadow]

There's no difference!

It's really not matter whether US youth will vote or not. The result will be the same! Bush or Kerry - there's no difference! Anyway, you Americans think only about yourself and that's all. Ever thought about those young people from all around the world who died or who suffered thanks to US politics and US selfish economic interests?

 

[amicus]

You said:

"...Anyway, you Americans think only about yourself and that's all. Ever thought about those young people from all around the world who died or who suffered thanks to US politics and US selfish economic interests..."

Not knowledgeable about where you are from, but I am sure within a few hundred miles of you, you can visit american grave markers for your wars....

regards...amicus...

 

[LilDarlin]

~Voting~

I am 31, live in the US. Everyone of my friends, family and colleagues are voting. Or so they all say.. Just wanted to put that out there.. Know I was not in the "young" group, but kinda close..

Have a Great one~

 

[impressive]

Students mainly, Wicked, but lets just say 18-25.


Ed

Well, Kirsten Dunst called me yesterday (nods to your other thread) and told me that she was voting Kerry in her very first ever voting experience -- and urged me to do the same.

I assured her that I would do so and commended her on her activism, but I don't think she was listening.

 

[purple_angel]

Edward Teach....a loaded question...

While everyone accepts the ideal of each person of age and qualified to vote...should...the matter of those 18-25...especially in college...is a different matter...

No one argues that 9 of 10 college professors and instructors are of the 'Liberal' political persuasion. I have witnessed it myself, so have my daughters.

Further, no one argues that these left wing professors inject politics into their lectures and study requirements.

So it is of small wonder that college students vote overwhelmly left wing...not a surprise at all...

On an unlevel playing field, what would you suggest as a 'proper' countermove against the NEA, the teachers Union, and the Liberal influence on campus?

They are brainwashing these kids and at the same time, putting them 30 to 50 thousand dollars in debt for student loans. I hope they one day realize just what the liberal educational establishment has given them in place of an education. And when they do, lynching will be the least painful punishment.

amicus...

yeah, I know, you ain't got a clue...

You know it amazes me that anyone gets out of college with any right wing views at all - there are just so few conservatives around right?

 

[Moon Shadow]

You said:

"...Anyway, you Americans think only about yourself and that's all. Ever thought about those young people from all around the world who died or who suffered thanks to US politics and US selfish economic interests..."

Not knowledgeable about where you are from, but I am sure within a few hundred miles of you, you can visit american grave markers for your wars....

regards...amicus...

Do american grave markers give US a right to rule the world on it's own? Do american grave markers give US a right to be arogant and not to respect others' cultures and ways of life? Are american grave markers more precious than grave markers of other countries and other nations? Anyway, was necessary for US to seed graves of own people all around the world? Was necessary for US to leave american citizens dead in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc?

Yes, US helped Europe in Second World War, but there were others nations who did it too. What about Russia? What about all those small Europe nations who battled their freedom? Those weren't just OUR wars! Remember, US origins are in Europe, your ancestors lived there!

At last, US built it's "democracy" on blood of thousands Indians. Was necessary for them to die? Was their native culture a reason for them to be exterminated?

P.S. I don't want to mention the most terrible war crime against humanity US did. Remember the august 1945 and all of those thousands innocent Japan citizens who suffered your bestiality of dropping nuclear bombs!!!

 

[oggbashan]

If soldiers' graves are a justification for interfering, we British have soldiers' graves in virtually every country in the world except Switzerland.

We did not repatriate our dead but assume that wherever they lie is forever England (or Scotland, Wales or Ireland).

Og

PS. It is about time we invaded Switzerland.

 

[Guest]

You know it amazes me that anyone gets out of college with any right wing views at all - there are just so few conservatives around right?

Well said.

 

[Guest]

Og

PS. It is about time we invaded Switzerland.

One of the many reasons I love you, Og.

 

[amicus]

Dear Og....you are too late, I invaded Suisse in 1970 on a motorcycle I bought in London...however I took only one hostage and she negotiated in a most friendly manner and we reached an amicable resolution.

Moon Shadow...my oh, my...have you got a case of anti americanism...Eat your big Mac and Freedom Fries and salute the Arche De Triomphe... I lifted my leg to it while motoring through Paris holding my nose.

 

[McKenna]

At last, US built it's "democracy" on blood of thousands Indians. Was necessary for them to die? Was their native culture a reason for them to be exterminated?

What happened to Native Americans was inevitable; they way it happened was unconscionable. Every country has had native populations that have been conquered, even if you have to look back a couple thousand years. With this mentality, I'm amazed that most of Europe and part of the British Isles aren't still pissed at the Romans for conquering them. There are plenty of reasons to be anti-American, but this one is a bit overdone.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Teach:

~lucky

p.s. Student... A little older than 25... Second time voting, though I've been eligible to vote 3 times. The internet has made all the difference on my activity and interest in politics. Obviously getting older has something to do with it, but having access to unbiased and biased information in the privacy of my own bedroom, without emotions behind it and having the ability to apply it to what's most important to me has made me feel very confident and fulfilled by having voted today.