This year's election cycle marks my first opportunity to delve into the world of American politics. Along with thousands of teens I enthusiastically threw myself into the campaign of one of the more inspirational candidates in our nation's history -- Barack Obama.
I worked for the Obama camp in my hometown, Erie, Pennsylvania, throughout the primary process -- canvassing, putting up signs and telling everyone I could find how Barack Obama was going to change the way America worked.
My enchantment with change began to fade, however, when I failed to actually see any. Negative television ads and recent pointless bickering on national debates spurred my disillusionment and apathy. I lost interest, began to tune out and took the stance of "whatever." Though I absolutely planned on casting my vote, I decided that I couldn't help the situation; American politics will always be corrupt and that's that. I held my impassive attitude until Monday, when former governor and DNC Chairman Howard Dean changed my mind.
Governor Dean strolled into the top of the Hop to the tune of about a hundred students and locals thunderously applauding. I was unimpressed. All I saw was another political figure about to hint at McCain's alliance with George Bush, playing on my fears of the American political status quo as Obama's various contenders have done throughout the primary and general-election campaigns. Perhaps I'd hear a few arguments for Obama's superior capacity to lead or against McCain's tax breaks for the rich. But Dean surprised me: He took another angle -- one that I could relate to and appreciate.
He began by saying that this election was one of generations. Quite obviously he believed McCain to be the candidate of the elder generation and Obama of ours -- the 18 to 30 crowd. While this didn't surprise or excite me, what he said next caught my attention. Dean posited that his generation had once been an enthusiastic one, engaging actively in politics and bringing about serious and beneficial change for our country. But then something changed -- they became complacent. As he put it, they "took time off" to care for their families and jobs. It's this indifference that allowed the past 30 years to play stage to some of the most divisive and ugly politics our nation has seen.
I saw what he meant in the microcosm that is my own experience. We lose faith too easily, and we become complacent. Somewhere between being inspired and disillusioned we begin to think that our actions cease to have consequences. We must understand that what we do actually matters. We, as college-aged students, have an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of our nation. We have a chance to put our faith in a man to lead our country back to a place that fosters international goodwill and economic prosperity. And we can elect this man the next president of the United States. While our faith may end up being misguided and whoever we support -- McCain or Obama -- may end up being the wrong man, we cannot pass up this chance to try for a better America.
As Governor Dean said, "It is a mistake to think you don't have to get involved in politics." I know firsthand how easy it is to block out the political debate. I know it is sometimes hard to care about issues that do not directly affect your everyday life. But I also now know how important it is to try. In the last weeks of the election, we must mobilize the collective might of our new generation. It is our turn to become the caretakers of our nation and fulfill our obligation as citizens to ensure its well-being. We must maintain a constant vigilance and, through increased debate and participation, choose the right person to lead our country into the next decade.
So, Dartmouth, get involved. Whether it is canvassing or something as simple as having a political conversation, participate. We, as a generation, need to set the tone for our future in political involvement. We simply cannot afford to tune out and stop caring. Howard Dean told a room full of our peers that we should receive a "D" for our voting participation. "D" didn't stand for Dartmouth. We can do better.
