The Youth Vote and Why You Should Care.

I was MIA last week, in case you noticed, attending the Young Democrats of America National Convention in Dallas, TX.  YDA holds its convention every two years and unfortunately I was unable to attend the one in 2005 in San Francisco, CA so I was thrilled to be able to represent my state as a delegate for the 2007 convention. 

The convention had over 500 people from 42 states and territories in attendance.  Not too shabby if you asked me.  We attracted speakers such at Jim Stoltz (founder of votevets.org), General Wesley Clark, Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee, and Senator John Edwards.  Lots a people gave us the accolades of being the future of the Democratic Party, and we appreciated the acknowledgment that we do matter in the party.  For a long time, there has been a strain between the Young Dems and what is commonly referred to as the Senior Party.  Personally I think the tension is stupid, but it exists none the less.  I find that there is some animosity among Senior Party officials toward the YD’s, but they are rare and generally speaking they aren’t the most well-liked members of the party.  On the local level, I’ve found the Senior Party officials to be quite welcoming to YD’s.  My own Senior Party Committee offers a seat on the Executive Board to a YD representative and we work very well together on issues of the Democratic Party.   Because in the end, we all care about the same thing, and that thing is getting Democrats elected. 

But, things are not perfect.  I take specific issue with the notion that Young Dems are the future of the party, when in fact, we are the present.   In 2004 nearly 20 million people voted who were between the ages of 18-29.  This was a 9 point increase in youth vote over 2000 and more people under 35 voted than over 65.  Also in 2004, in the 10 most competitive battleground states, turnout was 64.4% among young voters, compared to 48% across all other states.  It proves that is we are targeted; we will turn out just as senior citizens are. 

We are also growing.  Young voters make up 21% of the electorate (about 41.9 million).  In 2008 the Millennials (that’s us) will be nearly 50 million.  In 2015, we’ll make up 1/3 of the electorate.  Right now there are as many Millennials as there are Baby-Boomers. 

We also vote Democratic.  If only people under 35 had voted in 2004, John Kerry would be President.  In 2006, youth voted 58% in favor of Democrats 6 points higher than the voting-age population as a whole.  Democrats picked up young independents and Republicans lost young voters to us.  According to a recent study by the Harvard Institute of Politics, increased turnout in college towns in VA (Charlottesville and Norfolk specifically), made a huge difference in Jim Webb’s victory of George Allen.

So, I’ve just thrown a bunch of statistics at you, what is my point?  The point is, we vote, if motivated, and we vote for Democrats. 

Here’s my other beef with the party, they think we only care about youth related issues.  I was recently at a candidates’ forum being held at a Young Dems group.  One person asked the candidates what issues they feel are most important to Young Voters.  The candidates all gave different answers, education, transportation; one guy said lowering the drinking age… it was kind of pathetic.  The truth is, we care about the same issues that everyone else did.  We, the Young Democrats, are already tuned in, we care about all the issues, the Iraq war, Social Security, Taxes, Education, Health Care… they are all important to us.  Sure, since I’m broke and a long time away from collecting Social Security or Medicare, they aren’t the most pressing issues of my life, but they are no less important than my concerns for College Affordability and Affordable Housing. 

As we grow as a voting block, and we are one, I hope politicians, electeds, and candidates a like will start taking YD’s seriously and invite us to the table.  For while I find cohesion between local YD and Senior parties, the National party leaves much to be desired. 

So in the Words of YDA: 

I’m Young: And Will Swing the Vote

I’m A Democrat: And My Vote Will Be Counted

I’m Voting: And My Voice Will Be Heard.  

 

The Little Guy

So, if you live in Virginia, or near Virginia, you may have heard recently about these new so called “abuser fees” that just went into effect here in VA.   The media has done a good job of portraying the fees as being thousands of dollars for simple traffic violations, which is totally incorrect.  However, as a result of the media’s inaccurate portrayal of the new law, I have been having some pretty shitty days at work.

I work for a State Delegate in VA.  I won’t say which office, or if my guy voted for or against this bill.  But I do want to tell you a little bit about my experience with the bill that created these fees, the process to its passing, and the now oh so apparent consequences.

We haven’t done shit for transportation in VA in quite a while.  In 2006, the House Republicans (who are in control) and the Senate Republicans couldn’t come to an agreement on transportation so after 6 months of special sessions to work on the fucker, the House Repubs killed it.  Now, anyone who drives on the beltway, 395, 55, let alone any of the highway roads like 50, 123, and 29, know what kind of transportation crisis we are reaching.  It’s the number one priority of voters polled in this region.  And it is fresh on the minds of all the electeds up here.   

Last summer, my boss joined with another Democrat (my boss is a Dem, but you should have guessed that), and two Republicans to draft a bipartisan transportation package designed specifically to address NOVA.  It was a good bill, a great bill.  They had input from several past Secretaries of Transportation, industry experts, concerned citizens, task forces… it was amazing. 

It was killed on the first day the House Transportation committee met.  Six months, down the drain.  But the House Republicans could not let a Democrat have the victory on Transportation that would be very poor politics. 

This year is an election year in VA.  And unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know it’s not the best climate for Republicans, even in VA.  The Republicans knew that we (the Dems) would be hitting them hard on transportation and that especially in Northern Virginia were it is constituents are turning more and more blue, they had to do something about transportation or face some serious problems come November.  

So they crafted this piece of shit.  HB 3202.  Took them quite a long time to draft it too, the Speaker introduced it about 2 weeks into session and the Republicans all congratulated themselves on crafting this amazing solution to the growing transportation crisis in Virginia.  No democrats were sought out, no Task Forces or citizen groups, the only industry folks they talked to were the contractors and developers who stand to make some money off us.  

This bill is over 40 pages long.  That’s pretty f-ing long.  I remember when the Page dropped off the bill at my office.  It made a loud thud as she placed it in my inbox.  I was mortified.  I knew this bill would be bad (Republicans crafted it after all) but I also knew it was going to be my job to read it over and over and over looking at every aspect, tear it apart, create power point projects and give my boss a very thorough brief on it.  

In order to understand how much of a hassle this is going to be, I think it’s important I paint a picture of what it’s like down there.  I’ve broken down a typical day below.

6:50 AM:  Arrive at office

7:00 AM: Prepare days to-do list, catch up on leftovers from previous day, enjoy the only solitude I’m gonna get during the day

8:00 AM: Mail guy brings mail and papers.  Usually dumps about 2 lbs on my desk.  Scan papers to point out interesting articles to boss, open and sort mail… if I’m lucky.  The mail comes 4-5 times a day, but this is the only one I look at.

8:30 AM: My secretary arrives.  I heart her.  I spend maybe 5 minutes at her desk commiserating. 

8:45 AM: Interns arrive.  I also heart them.  I had very smart interns.  We send the boy intern to cafe to get us coffee.

9:00 AM:  Battle stations.   Lobbyists start arriving.  Boss has committee meeting (maybe, depends on the day) receive daily calendar of legislation to be heard in session, highlight interesting bills and make notes for boss.  Juggle lobbyist visits; make people I hate meet with interns.  Field multiple calls, haven’t touched coffee.  Attempt to answer constituent mail, organize email, and meet with more lobbyists

12:00 PM: Mini break.  Members go into session so all the lobbyists disappear to get food.  Interns, other aides and I do the same.  Run downstairs to cafeteria.  Eat in office. 

12:30 PM:  Attempt to catch up on what didn’t get done in the morning.  Look at to-do list.  Cry.

1:15 PM:  They’re back.  Meet boss at elevator; exchange his coat and laptop for briefing on his afternoon meetings, walk backwards trying to block lobbyists from boss.  

1:30 PM: Juggle lobbyists, constituents, press, get boss to committee meeting, work with leg services on one of our 17 bills, drink morning’s coffee, hit head on desk

5:00 PM:  interns leave, secretary leaves, lobbyist start to trickle out.  Boss still in committee needs caffeine; run down 6 flights to get him a diet coke.  

6:00 PM:  Just me and the other aides.  Catch up on everything for the day, greet boss at elevator, exchange his briefings and notes for his coat and keys, and send him to the first of 4 receptions that night.

6:30 PM: Leave with other aides for receptions.

9:30 PM:  Arrive home.  Pass out.

So yeah, it’s hectic.  But I read this thing anyway, it was my job.  I read it and re-read it, and for posterity read it again.  There were so many things wrong with it.  Like constitutional issues of creating a transportation authority that had the power to levy taxes, yet weren’t necessarily elected by that constituency… that’s a big f-ing problem.  And to be honest, these abuser fees were barely a blimp on my radar.  It’s only one paragraph out of the whole damn thing.  My notes on it consisted of curiosity that Republicans who hate to raise taxes had no problem raising fees because the word “tax” didn’t appear in their title.  But in all honesty that was all I thought about it.

The bill passed, of course, the Republicans are in the majority and there were enough guys on our side who thought the bill was flawed, but also knew that their constituents demand that they vote for it that it sailed through.  It went to the Governor, who in VA has line-item veto.  He made some changes and sent it back… it passed again.  At the end of the day, the Republicans wanted to force our guys to have an up or down vote on the bill so they could use it against us in the election.  I’m not surprised, it’s a smart strategy the only problem is the bill is a piece of shit. 

So now, cut to a few months later and all of a sudden, everyone and their mom are pissed about these abuser fees.  I’ve got them calling the office, sending hateful email, threatening letters… and to top it all off, I can’t take them at all seriously because they are so unbelievably stupid.  “I’m gonna work for you opponent next year.” That’s great, but the election is this year and we have no opponent.  “This is why I hate Congress.”  Really?  Huh, that’s interesting ‘cause you know, we aren’t Congress right?  “You must be an idiot, I’m gonna look up each person who has to pay this fee and organize against you.”  Wow, that’s kinda creative, but I think this guy lacks follow through.  “You better repeal this law by the end of the summer.”  Wow, if only we were in session year round, but we’re not so at the earliest it will be next January.  “I’m gonna sue you.”  Bring it on baby. 

No don’t get me wrong.  I don’t expect the majority of people to pay attention to their state government.  Most people don’t think state and local level is worth their time.  The only time they do care is when they think they might have to pay some money.  Money is a good motivator and I understand people having concerns.  I have had people call my office to ask about it; I happily explain and offer to pass on information.  A civil discussion occurs and at the end of the day the constituent has received prompt, courteous information and generally speaking they are happy about it.  I have a great deal of respect for these people.

But then there are the others.  The ones who call and before I’ve finished saying “Thank you for calling….” I get an ear full of “Fuck you bitch, you fucking assholes think you can tax me?  Fuck you.”  Those aren’t that bad because it’s usually over quick.  But I especially hate when these ignorant assholes call my office and proceed to take their most perfected self-righteous and indignant tone with me, berating me, my boss, and anyone who’s ever worked in government as they spew their completely wrong interpretations of a bill they knew nothing about until Fox 5 did a story on it.  These people make my blood boil.  It’s easy to go through life blaming others for problems in our society, it’s easy to call up and scream at a stranger, but at the end of the day, these people are lucky we take the time to try and look out for them.  Sure, shit happens, but we do try to fix it.  Government is political.  When we are lucky, politics can also make good policy.  But we aren’t going to get that good policy as long as the Republicans control the legislature.

So here’s to you, Little Guy.  Thanks for being a complete fucking asshole.  Despite your ignoramus attitudes, it will be my pleasure to continue to fight for you, God knows you’re not capable of doing it yourself.