It is extremely easy to neglect the world you live in. It is astonishingly simple to turn a blind eye to events and people that are seemingly irrelevant to your reality. But, as we are told time and time again, the world is weirdly, obscurely connected. At all times. And this only ever becomes more and more glaringly obvious once you start paying attention to what is happening around you.
As a millennial, it is extremely important to at least be informed, if not act upon the events and activities that take place globally everyday. This, unfortunately, means being informed about politics.
People’s eyes tend to glaze over when the topic of politics is brought up, and understandably so. For the most part, it’s just a bunch of old men (sometimes women) more concerned about being the loudest in the room rather than what issue is actually at stake, but there is one big reason why you should care about what policies and laws they are debating over implementing: money. Turns out, it really doesn’t grow on trees.
Some of us are currently aboard the "eternally grateful forever and ever" because parents are sometimes (most times) pretty great and can financially support even the monstrosity that is NYU's tuition bill.
Others, aka most of us, are dependent on the generosity of FAFSA and federal Pell Grants and subsidized student loans. Fun fact: These are the three sexiest words you can whisper into a broke student’s ear.
But then, imagine even the meager support you do get from the government is taken away? Who is going to whisper sweet nothings into your ear now?
One of the biggest areas of debate among the government and presidential candidates is budgeting—and how much money to allocate for different aspects of the nation, like healthcare, national defense, and of course, education.
Recently, Rep. Ryan has proposed that the government cut $145 billion from education funding over the next 10 years, according to the New York Times. This includes removing nearly $90 billion from federal Pell Grants and halting subsidized loans to university students
Yes, this is a big deal. A huge deal. A bigger deal than when Rihanna offered limited copies of her album for free (still reeling). Losing a federal grant could mean that millions of students begin accumulating debt immediately, and losing the money that is currently funding their education.
Do you still think politics is irrelevant to your life? That’s not the end of it.
Healthcare and job placement are two other things that will greatly affect your life, and your choice in presidential candidate could determine whether you’re insured under your parents until you’re 26 or whether or not you find a job right after graduating or are given a scholarship to study if you hail from a high-risk area.
Just consider it. No one is asking you to run into the streets, (metaphorical) guns blazing, loudly picketing for your preferred candidate. Just be aware of what the election of a certain candidate could mean for your future.
