Show our youth the upside of politics
Daily Herald Editorial Board
“As a father who loves his kids and wants them to be happy . . . it would not be my first choice for them to get into politics.”Not exactly a ringing endorsement of public service, but one must consider the source. In a convoluted way, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, speaking to the Junior State of America convention last week in Oak Brook, was trying to encourage high school students to become involved in politics. In the same speech, the disgraced governor chided what he called the #147;cesspool of cynicism#148; in Springfield.
In other words, scoundrels are running government; enter politics, but at your own risk. Indeed, at times it may seem that way in Illinois, but such a message runs counter to any hope of improving the way things are. By spreading the notion that all politicians are corrupt, we#146;re likely to discourage good people from entering public service #8212; and young people from participating at all.
In 2008, the rock-star status of Barack Obama turned many teens and young adults to politics. It was heartening to see them talking about the people, the issues and the future as the presidential election neared. Time magazine called it the #147;Year of the Youth Vote.#148;
Since then, however, the country#146;s epidemic of incivility has included bad behavior at town hall meetings and pundits trying to outlampoon one another. The midterm elections in Illinois and elsewhere were marred by the worst negative campaigning seen in years. It#146;s enough to make even seasoned voters jaded.
The cynicism is not lost on youth. If a society#146;s young people give up hope, its future prosperity is threatened. They need to know public service at its core is noble and their contributions will be needed. It#146;s adults#146; responsibility to convey that.
Elected officials can reach them directly through social networking. Schools can offer service and political clubs and encourage 18-year-olds to register to vote. For some kids who learn to contribute to communities, perhaps entry into politics will naturally result. Families can attend political events together. Perhaps most important, adults can set an example. Help teens to get news from a variety of sources, not just from late-night comics. Criticism and satire grab attention and add to the dialogue in important ways but also can breed scorn and negativity.
Political office isn#146;t for everyone, but the rising generation cannot take the idea that #147;someone else will do it#148; into adulthood. Several candidates age 30 and younger in our local elections already know that; they sought offices in Geneva, Naperville, Rolling Meadows, Itasca, Elgin and Warrenville, among others. Though he#146;s the wrong guy to give the message, Blagojevich was right to challenge the Junior State teens to #147;never just accept things the way they are.#148; Let#146;s all ensure that, in the end, 2008 will not be remembered as the peak of political involvement among youth.