Every four years one of the hot debates is focused onto the youth of the nation.

When it comes time to vote, it seems the new crop of 18 year olds is suddenly thrust into the media. Some believe they are the voice of the future, others that they are apathetic about their newly given right -- the right to vote.

Whether it is a lack of prior knowledge about candidates and the importance of voting, or a true indifference is to be debated. One thing I believe is that the candidates simply do not draw the attention of the age group. One local 18 year old said, "I don't really pay attention to politics because I'm tired of candidates who can't make up their mind. They are weak […] and we have no choice in who is running."

Whether it be the lack of true candidates with leadership potential, or the candidates not reaching out to this age group, one thing is certain, not all new voters are ignorant to the happenings of government. The importance of voting can only be understood if those who are running are worth voting for. The act of not voting is, in itself, not an act of apathy, but one of rebellion. This silent rebellion is being waged by those immaculate few who have not yet been tainted by the façade of high fuel prices, government blacklist spending, retirement funds, and all other plethora of governmental happenings we become so engrossed with as independent adults. These are the people who can see the true character of a leader, and in recent years have been let down by a lack of candidates who exude this quality.

I am choosing to write this as a blog for credibility reasons mostly. In telling a couple people what I was writing about, a large debate arose which is not my intent on this particular story. I simply believe that whole issue of new voters in the 18-20 years old range are misrepresented by jaded people with patriotic daydreams. The sad part is, in around 30 years, these new voters who are having fingers wagged at them will find themselves attached to the back of the finger wagging it at the youth of future generations. I do not wish to draw the ire of anyone reading, however, starting a nice debate is always a wonderful undertaking so long as the parties retain their calm and understand that agreements often don't occur with one party taking the other party's side. Rather, the acquiesce comes in the form of understanding one's views belong to themselves, they are on similar mission only to inform, not transform.

Unfortunately, I was distracted from finishing this yesterday when the satori was still about. Thus, getting back into the heat of the moment on something as such is near impossible, so this will have to suffice for the time being as this blog topic is concerned. Feel free to open a debate, but keep it friendly. Violence begets violence, and we're already in one unnecessary war, lets not start others over frivolous matters!

Peace

Kevin Andrew Crafton