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The School Newspaper of Franklin High School

Pantherbook

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The School Newspaper of Franklin High School

Pantherbook

The School Newspaper of Franklin High School

Pantherbook

The Young Democrats of FHS

Now more than ever, young Americans are not politically engaged. According to a poll by the Harvard University Institute of Politics, fewer than 1 in 4 millennials under 30 “definitely” plan to vote in this year’s midterm elections in November.
This same poll also found that more people between 18-29 years old identify as Democrats than Republicans. This means that election results do not match the political makeup of our country, so our representatives in Congress do not truly representative us.

So, why should you care? As high school students, we are on the brink of turning 18, the time when we can have a voice in the country’s political system. Voting is more than filling in some circles on a ballot in the gym at FHS. It is utilizing your power to make change.

Young people have most likely lost their desire to vote out of cynicism. We see and hear about what Congress is doing – or, not doing – every day. We have lost hope for the future, picturing a life riddled with college debt and a lack of jobs. We are not wrong for having these feelings, because our elected representatives do not reflect the young people’s interests. If you do not vote, you will not see change be made.

The Democratic Party knows what young Americans want and supports their goals.

  • Jobs: Democrats want to create jobs for young people entering the work force by ending tax loopholes for corporations, providing tax cuts to small businesses, investing in a clean-energy economy, and putting Americans to work rebuilding our infrastructure.
  • The Environment: the Party wants to regulate carbon emissions, set gas-usage standards for cars, and study just how humans are hurting our planet, all to ensure a sustainable future.
  • Healthcare: by pushing for Obamacare, the Democrats made sure that all Americans could have access to healthcare. This is important for young people who can no longer be on their parents’ healthcare plans, but cannot afford private insurance.
  • Equality: for years, the Democratic Party has fought for the rights of women, minorities, the poor, the LGBT community, and other groups. Whether it is through equal pay, welfare, or safety, Democrats want everyone to be able to live the American Dream.
  • Student Debt: Democrats in Congress are pushing to make higher education more affordable for Americans so that college can be an option for everyone, and not something that comes down to money.

So, what can you do while waiting to be able to vote? Join the Young Democrats, meeting on Wednesdays after school in room 224. You don’t have to be a political expert to join. You can come educate yourself on important topics so when you enter that voting booth, you will know what to do. And, we all know that colleges love to see students engaged in their community. The Young Dems plan on getting involved with Democratic candidates campaigns, debating with TARS (Teenage Republicans), and helping prepare FHS students to vote.

Now is the time to become politically active.

Follow the Young Dems on Twitter: @fhsyoungdems.

What political issue is most important to you?

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