I am writing in response to a letter by Mr. Rick Bradley (What Kind of Change?) printed in Monday's paper.
I should start this letter by stating that I am 20 years old, and in November I will be voting in my first presidential election.
After reading Mr. Bradley's letter, I can understand why he is wondering what kind of leader Senator Barack Obama would make. All candidates for president should be closely scrutinized to find which one will lead this nation the best. However, I take exception to Mr. Bradley's statement that Senator Obama has "blinded the youth of this nation."
I am a journalism student in college and, as such, stay up-to-date with the latest news. I have followed the presidential campaign with much interest, and I do not feel I have been "blinded" in any fashion by either candidate. My fellow students and I often debate issues that are crucial to the upcoming election, and I assure you the youth of today are very concerned about the war in Iraq, in which we may be called upon to serve, or the economy, in which we will soon be searching for jobs. My fellow students and I are informed and concerned about the future of America.
You said: "The youth of today do not understand the meaning of freedom, respect and wisdom." Yet there are many young people serving our nation in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. They are young people fighting for my liberty, and yours, and to say that they know nothing of the meaning of freedom is, in my opinion, insulting.
You seem to believe that people over 50, the "old guard," as you call them, are the only ones responsible enough to take care of America and decide its future.
I have lived 20 years in the world the "old guard" has been in charge of, and I don't think it's ridiculous to say there are a few things my generation needs to improve upon. We can only hope that every generation will surpass the last. It is my wish that my peers do a better job of taking care of America and the world than yours have done, and it is my hope that my children will do a better job than I.
The choice between Senator McCain and Senator Obama is not an easy one. It is one that needs to be debated often and with great vigor in order to find the right leader for our country. Whom we choose to endorse, however, will be based on our personal beliefs, political views and hopes for the future. It has nothing to do with our age, or with being "successfully blinded" by a candidate.
Just because we are young does not mean we are incompetent. Just because we are hopeful does not mean we are naive, and when I vote in November, I will do so fully knowledgeable of the issues and fully aware of what my action will mean for the future of America.
