As September draws to a close and one month stands in the way of the quick approaching date of decision, it is difficult to avoid the looming presidential election. The television and media in particular have taken the liberty to be the informants of each political change over the past several months. With so many young adults connected to the media, it is hard to say that what the media puts out does not have an effect on a young voter’s decision.
At a recent fundraising banquet the Republican Presidential Nominee, Mitt Romney, was recorded discussing his views on the voting American public and their inclinations to vote certain ways depending on their economic status. In particular, he addressed the percent of population that does not pay income taxes to the federal government. The now infamous quote can be seen below.
“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it -- that that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what. ... These are people who pay no income tax. ... My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."
Colbert continued with the one-sided coverage of the story by addressing the thoughts of Peggy Noonan, a well-known conservative writer for the Wall Street Journal, who has been quoted saying “It’s time to admit the Romney campaign is an incompetent one.”
Of course, this broadcast has been inserted with moments of hilarity as Colbert discusses important political topics to keep his viewers interested. This makes the show extremely enticing for the young voting republic. As a writer speaking purely out of observation, I want to discuss how this political image will impact the voting decisions of the young voter demographic comprised of mostly college students and young professionals.
The popular consensus among the American people is that several college aged voters are liberal thinkers. Many would argue that it is because a student becomes more rounded as an individual and will meet a variety of dissimilar minded people during their college days. In my opinion, pop culture plays an extensive role in the development of opinion among young people. Shows like The Colbert Report that are immensely popular among the younger generation as well as liberal-minded people will inevitable affect how these show’s viewers will perceive political candidates as well as the social and economic issues that surround them.
It seems to me that the act of voting has moved from an educated decision on who more accurately mirrors your views and goals for this country and rather, who is more popular among voters, and who is perceived as well-liked. Will the age of technology enhance or prove to be the downfall of our government as we know it? Only time will tell.
This is a ver astute observation. I think you are absolutely right that younger voters who are college educated tend to vote democrat. What I wonder is whether they do so entirely out of reasoned conviction or maybe to some extent due to peer identification - wanting to be just like their friends, wanting to fit in. Of course, younger people who are not college bound tend to be more conservative, probably for similar reasons. Nice job!
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