It's time to address something. Millennials are not educating themselves about politics like they should. While I understand the excuse that it can be timely, it should be prioritized. We come from a generation that is more concerned about the color Kylie Jenner just dyed her hair rather than the policies our future president supports. Especially as college students, we should care to know who the leader of our country might be as we prepare to begin our careers. In order to stay informed and make the best choices for our futures, we need to ask ourselves where we stand on specific issues. Once we do this, we can then align with the candidates that portray these views most accurately. Below are just a handful of concepts millennials should be both educated on and concerned with.
1. Healthcare Policies
For many millennials we are still on the insurance of our parents. Or maybe you aren't at all, which in this case you should pay special attention. Do you think that everyone should have healthcare? Do you think it should be dispersed as a benefit through the company you work for or available for private purchase? These are the kinds of questions you need to be asking yourselves.
2. Education Policies
Whether it be the college tuition you are stuck paying at the moment or the education your children will one day receive, these policies matter. Maybe you think that college should be free or maybe you think that college is a privilege. Either way, you need to be aware of the outcomes each will have and how they will be developed.
3. Welfare Programs
This is the topic continually revolving around our tax dollars. Is it worth it or is it not? With the many welfare programs that exist today, such as Social Security, there's much to learn about each. It's possible that you are for one but not another. Maybe you support social security in hopes of receiving it when your time comes. On the contrary, you may be in favor of preparing your own financial security and oppose paying such taxes. These are the questions you need to ask yourself in preparation for you own retirement one day.
4. Gun Control
Ah, yet another controversial topic we see on the news every day. But what does it all mean? Why are people fighting this? Do you feel your Second Amendment is being infringed upon? It could be the case that you believe in the right but maybe we need to make adaptations. Policies are continually changing and some have shifted their focus to the mentally ill getting their hands on guns. This is just one of the many popular opinions. If you fear the ban of guns or in contrast the easy availability of them, you need to know who stands with these views.
5. Immigration
You've probably heard the debating lines "We all were immigrants at one time" or "They keep taking jobs away from us." Both interesting and important ideas to discuss. It is these phrases that make us question the humanitarian within us while also forcing us to ask where do we draw the line? Views on this topic fluctuate from closing borders to taking copious amounts of refugees in. It's possible you may fall somewhere in between but you must know who it is that will represent this opinion.
This next presidential candidate will be our leader for possibly the next eight years. Who do you want to represent us? Who stands for your beliefs? Who will voice your opinions? Who will make the changes you want to see? This is why you should care. This is why political education should outweigh the pop culture in your life. I strongly encourage you to invest the time in reading about the numerous policies that are being proposed. They will affect your future.
Millennials, we are the future.
The following are links that will help you develop your own thoughts and opinions on the issues listed above and more:
https://www.isidewith.com/ (A great quiz to find the right candidate for you!)
