Sanders inspires young voters
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Editor,
This, I feel, is probably one of the most significant-to-the-moment letters I have written this year. I don’t think we have ever faced such a critical time on our political leadership selection process.
Change is difficult for many adults. It can be threatening, fearful, disturbing and often strongly resisted. On the other hand, with our younger population, change is a normal everyday thing: change in body maturity, change in schools, change in family situations, change in jobs, change with marriage and kids. Change is all over the place and it is normal for them as they adjust to change in life’s maturing process.
In our political system, right now, we have two candidates running for president who are attracting millions of young people to their messages. They are, of course, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.
What is going on here? What does this mean for America’s future? Is this crisis time? Is this significant and important? Many Americans happen to think we are now standing at the critical point of either following a regressive downward cycle or moving into a positive reformation.
Donald Trump has energized and ramped up the fear and anger factors so easily drawn forth in people these days. His call for change resonates in ways that are scary, dangerous, regressive and totally out of tune with America’s best interests.
Bernie Sanders, on the other hand, is appealing to those who think positively toward the future; are sensitive to climate change strategies; support reducing big money interests controlling our politics; are taking seriously the need for a foreign policy of diplomacy over military aggression, and to those who believe in engaging with all leaders rather than using threats and bluster leading to stalemate, rejection and possible disastrous conflict.
We adults have a responsibility here, I believe. And that is to immediately encourage young people to get informed, be involved and follow their instincts for change. An informed and engaged young population is our hope for freedom, equality, peace, justice and global leadership as America, the nation of many colors and capabilities.
Bob McClellan
Polson
