Harvard’s Institute of Politics has released a poll indicating that young people are worried about the future – and not so positive about their chances in it. The pessimism ranges from financial concerns to doubts about their ability to afford health care.
Six out of ten fear they will not meet their current financial obligations. Half wonder if they will be able to pay for college or even stay in school. Eight of ten are concerned they will not find a job when they graduate. Fewer than that believe they will be better off then their parents. Four of ten are politically independent. That’s 40 percent. 36 percent were Democrats and 23 percent claimed to be Republican. See a pattern forming here?
This lack of faith in government and institutions is hardly new. The 1960’s sprouted a political movement that turned into the current political establishment on both sides of the aisle. But what if these short-term fears become a long-term reality? Who will suffer the most when younger Americans don’t see the needle move on solving some their concerns. Government and corporations have a lot to lose when the next generation doubts them both into irrelevance.
The 1960’s used music to express their opinion. This time, we’re using the web. The difference will become obvious as more people doubt this broken system and begin to use the power of the Internet to affect change. What says “by the people and for the people” better than the Web?
