About 49% of people under the age of 30 voted in the 2012 presidential election, compared to about 72% of those in the 55-64 and 65-74 age groups. Thus, politicians are wise to spend their time catering to the “old” voters and millennials tend to get left in the dust. Thankfully, PolicyMic is a significant way that millennials can have an impact in the political process.
We see that politicians focus on older age groups when we look at current policies. While 73% of people under the age of 30 support government recognition of gay marriage, just 51% of those ages 50 to 64, and only 39% of those 65+ support the measure. Still, gay marriage is only legal in nine states. Clearly, politicians favor the opinions of the elderly over the opinion of the youth, and it’s plausible to think that this favoritism comes because the elderly are more-likely to vote than the young.
We also see this favoritism in regards to fiscal policy. Medicare, for instance, continues to expand to give older demographics the benefit of reduced healthcare costs. Now, 50% of federal benefits go to the 13% of the population over 65. This segment of the population is persuaded to vote for certain candidates based on enticing benefits.
Meanwhile, the debt continues to increase — and since the elderly will likely pass away before taxes are levied to pay for this debt, it will be up to our age demographic to pay the debt of the old. These increased taxes are an indirect harm to the future of our nation and to millennails themselves as it means that we will have less money to spend in the future.
And why do politicians pass legislation that inadvertently harms millennials? Because a candidate’s promise to pass legislation that favors aged (and likely-to-vote) citizens gives the elderly a reason to vote for said candidate. Thus, candidates know that catering to older voters helps them to win votes and elections.
But PolicyMic can help to mitigate this predisposition to concentrate on older voters. PolicyMic has the unique opportunity to act as a platform where millennials can read, write about and discuss policy. This gives “generation Y” voters the ability to express their interests so that politicians can then forge policy that reflects these interests.
Traditionally, one had to be a professional and experienced writer if they desired to express their opinions, but with PolicyMic, millennials are given the chance to articulate their beliefs to the entire world.
This opportunity will incentivize millennials to increase their involvement in the political process, and thereby increase the desire of politicians to capture our vote. One day, Generation Y will be the 65+ voting demographic, and if politicians and political parties want to secure our votes, they must listen to our voices.
Thus, PolicyMic has the opportunity to be the powerful voice of the future. This unique outlet for millennial thought could be the source that politicians and political activists use to find what we, the future, are interested in. If PolicyMic can attract the attention of these policymakers, millennials will have the opportunity to be a significant factor in the democratic process, and our future will no longer be sacrificed for political gain.