As next year's elections approach, the race for President of the United States continues to heat up while progress in Washington slowly begins to fade amid partisan conflicts.

These days, both legislatures and voters alike stand divided on the major issues our nation is facing, such as the war in Iraq, illegal immigration, social security and gay marriage. While these problems remain unresolved, a new generation of voters will enter the polls next November to cast their votes for change.

{mosgoogle right}The presidential candidates, while diverse in their beliefs, all pledge to bring change to Washington if elected to the oval office. Prospective young voters are at the forefront of this movement for change, recognizing the issues we face today as hardships they might face in the future. Some new voters realize that every vote counts, and that it is important to vote.

"It has to be important," said Marie Evans, a student from Elgin, Ill. "We are the ones who will be running the country," she said.

Several political topics came up as Evans and her friends debated over milkshakes at the local Stake N' Shake. She agrees that the Republican Party lost a considerable amount of credibility following the decisions made by President Bush to engage in war with Iraq.

"Every politician is going to have to say �I want out of Iraq', or they won't win," said Nate Henson of Glendale Heights, Ill. Unlike Evans, Henson is doubtful that his peers will sway the election in any way.

"We [younger people] think three seconds ahead of us, and not the future," he said. "I don't care to fix the problems because they don't concern me," he said. Many agree with him.

"I don't think young people should vote," said Luke Emich, 17, of Tinley Park, Ill. "Because they're almost as dumb as adults," he said.

Just like many adults will not participate in the election, a number of newly eligible voters will also choose not to cast a ballot. Recent polls, however, show the majority of students strongly agree it is important for them to vote.

According to a poll conducted this year by the Democracy Corps, 69 percent of people ages 18 to 29 are almost certain they will vote in the 2008 election, and only eight percent say they will not vote.

It is clear that the majority of younger voters want to voice their desire for change.

"We are the ones who are next in line," said Logan McCombs, 16, of Huntley, Ill. "This is what will affect us the most. We need more progress in this country, and with the current administration, things are going downhill," he said.

Leading the campaign at the moment, are Democrats, Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. Clinton, a former First Lady and current senator of New York, is campaigning to become the first female president of the United States. Similarly, best-selling author and Illinois senator, Barack Obama, wishes to become the first-ever African-American president. Both candidates are highly determined to take the oval office, and for very similar reasons.

In fact, one would have trouble sorting out many differences between the policies of the two competitors. New voters are attracted to Clinton and Obama for their very liberal stances on the various issues plaguing Capital Hill.

When it comes down to it, the race between Clinton and Obama will be mostly about their character and how favorably they are viewed by the American people. Their policies are very similar.

As of late, society in general is swaying more towards liberalism, and young people are fueling the trend because they are more open-minded to previously unaccepted ideas like gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research.

"Most of my friends and people I hang out with are very liberal," said McCombs. "We want a president that will share our views," he said.

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loganthegreat   |2007-09-22 02:30:26 Just to add on to my Quote... Not only do we need CHANGE, but we need a government who is fair to all citizens. Republicans- tax cuts for the RICH? Why? Just because RICH people can afford to buy? No....I don't think so. Democrats- Sure they are for the "The Working Man", but is that what they are really about? You see, we need a government that is more compassionate about the needs of American Citizens.... If a young mother NEEDS, not WANTS an abortion, Why stop her? If a man and another man, or woman or another woman want to wed, Why discriminate? Why should Social Security be taken away from people who have worked all of there lives to raise money for war? Why are needy people being denied healthcare? We need a TRUE leader. And we need to get rid of all the hypocracy. [smiley=angry] Reply 0   0

angelica   |2007-09-02 20:29:10 Well, that guy Luke definitely does not speak for all of us. I just turned 18 and I fully intend to vote. I think the administration has done a horrible job with so many things. I am not sure who will be better. I mean, there was this thing with social security where the democrats were saying they'd give it to the illegal aliens??!!! Was this real? Are they insane? Why should we pay for people that don't even come here legally? And then there was the thing if we did, we would not even get the benefits when we're older - even though we payed for it. That's messed up. The republicans are no better. Our healthcare system is totally screwed up, our economy is bust, and gas is outrageous. My brother was sent to Iraq. It seems like everything has just gone downhill since Bush took office. Reply 0   0

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