To the Editor:

In the 2020 election, 62% of 18-29 year-olds voted for President Biden. That trend continues with the recent spike in young people registering to vote Democrat for Kamala. And why wouldn’t they? Democrat leadership addresses the realities of the future.

Young people want hope for the environment they’re inheriting. For years, Big Oil and the GOP claimed that climate change wasn’t a concern. Today’s youth plainly see fires, flooding and hurricanes rendering parts of the US inhabitable and driving up the cost of construction, insurance and food. Even as clean water and air are being compromised, the Republican Party continues to roll back EPA regulations (while denying doing so).

Young people want hope for an economy that supports getting a job, owning a home and raising a family. They haven’t been indoctrinated with decades of Republican anti-government propaganda (or theories about “free enterprise” creating “trickle-down wealth”). They know it’s a fallacy; resulting in America’s middle class shrinking from 66% to 49%. They’re aware that tax cuts to the rich and union-busting have led to upper-class Americans seeing their wages rise 47% while lower-class wages have only gained 28%. 

Young people realistically view the changing landscape of America - accepting women in positions of power, LGBTQ individuals and citizens of a different race or culture. They aren’t drawn to the “hate those who are different” rhetoric intended to attract racist, judgemental voters.

Young people are turning away from hypocritical religions that preach “love one another” (but only some people), religions that reject abortion (but conceal pedophile clergy) or religions dictating women stay married and have children (even if they’re being physically and emotionally abused).

The Republican Party continues to court angry, distrustful voters - convincing them that government interference, taxes and  Democrat “coastal elites” have ruined this country. But young people are more interested in Kamala’s 82-page-booklet of solutions to support working Americans, than GOP cynicism.

Young people appreciate the Democrat’s efforts to level the playing field with oversight on predatory lending, price-gouging caps, small-business loans, apprentice-training programs, homeownership tax credits and child care assistance. They want a Party “for the people” based on kindness, equality and respect (not a Party with anonymous right-wing one-percenters getting richer while their puppet politicians pretend to care about morality and freedom).

Vote with optimistic young people. Every new generation deserves the chance to address their future in tune with an ever-evolving and changing world. 

Martha Hodges
Massena