It’s time for young voters to take the lead

John Merli
Published: October 22, 2008

Out of some 3,000 counties in this country, Prince William is proving to be very much a swing county in a swing state — two potentially electric scenarios so unlikely even four years ago that the mere
suggestion of this county and the commonwealth going anywhere but for the GOP in a presidential race would be downright laughable. Both Obama and McCain (and their running mates) have
campaigned within our county on several occasions in recent weeks, even this late in a campaign that the Democrats typically surrender months earlier.

So for those of you too young to have voted the last time around, I offer this friendly communiqué as we rapidly close in on Election Day in two weeks:

Dear Young Virginia Voter,

Congratulations on registering for what may be your first presidential election. The fact that all the politicos among us seem to think it will be the most important contest of your young lives (and maybe our older lives, too), makes the next couple of weeks doubly exciting. If you do not subscribe to the silly notion (as my generation once did) that no one over 30 is to be trusted, you can believe the
pundits when they tell you this election is hugely important.

If you know anything about recent American history, you already know that I and my fellow baby boomers grew up in some tumultuous times which, in part, we helped create — namely the raucous, in-
your-face, anti-establishment ‘60s that proved to be a national turning point for civil rights, an unpopular war in southeast Asia (during a military draft) and for the idea that the older generation then in
power across the societal spectrum wasn’t nearly as wise and thoughtful as it should have been.

Sadly, as a lot of us get older and perhaps accumulate more to lose in material terms), we grow far more cautious, predictable and resistant to change of any kind. It’s a handicap that seems to have
plagued every generation dating back centuries, and even with our massive protests, our Bob Dylans and John Waynes, my generation was no exception. So the last thing I would do is pretend that
somehow my demographic age group can give you younger ones any sage advice on anything — including for whom to vote. The mere act of showing up and casting a vote for McCain/Palin or
Obama/Biden, as well as voting in Virginia’s own contests, fulfills your chief obligation to literally count for something bigger than yourselves.

Don’t get me wrong. In some respects, I think you young guys still have a tough road to plow to catch up with my generation when it comes to putting your collective neck out for something bigger than
yourselves. While a minority of my own generation has fallen prey to the typical ugly pitfalls of bigotry, scathing ignorance and soul-numbing materialism, at least what my generation managed to
accomplish three and four decades ago has given those of you who came later (that is to say, our own offspring) a life far more inclusive of everyone, and far less naïve of the abuses of power by
government, than we knew at your age.

A generation ago, even in Northern Virginia, seeing multiracial couples of all ages and youngsters of all shades of black, brown and white hanging out together was a rare exception to the rule. Closer
equality of women in the workplace also could not be taken for granted even a generation ago. That’s something else you can thank your elders for.

And one thing my generation does quite well is turn out to vote. That’s a promise and a warning. Since each of you probably has a far longer “future” to live in than us boomers, let’s hope the predictions
are correct and that you will turn out on Nov. 4 in numbers never seen before. From the White House to Congress to Prince William — and in more ways than one — your generation must now begin to
take the lead in deciding the tangible direction of Virginia and the nation. Take full advantage of that power while you can still vote openly for the greater good and before you take on the added baggage
that seems to come with age.

Sincerely,

John

Class of ‘64

John Merli has been a Prince William County resident since 1984, and a columnist with this paper since 1985. He has worked in the media for more than 30 years. E-mail him at .