Why doesn’t our generation care? Yes, many of us can’t vote until the next election four years from now. But doesn’t our voice still carry some weight?

In an age where technology has made access to media instant, and made information easier to attain than ever before, our generation for some reason has decided to ignore the giant question looming in front of our country.

This election is as pivotal as any in decades. At every other point in history, when other countries have started to rise and challenge the power of the United States, our youth has stood up and answered the call. But this time, they’re turning their back and walking in the other direction.

While President Obama is aiming to continue his policies of the last four years, the GOP candidates are campaigning with the promise of a different style in the White House. Some people agree, some disagree. This is the nature of politics. A president is elected, if he retains popularity then he is re-elected, if it doesn’t work out, then people learn from their mistake and elect someone they agree with more.  Unfortunately, a mistake by every generation can start to take a toll on our country. That is why it is important for the young to learn from those before.

Walking around school just a few months before voting day, one overhears all kinds of topics being talked about. Except, of course, the election. It’s not that people don’t like one candidate or the other—people just don’t care in general. They don’t care about the size of government or taxes or our relations with other countries. It’s as if they live in their own little world, and whatever happens doesn’t affect them. But there’s something that they’re missing.

By the next election in 2016, just about every student currently at GBN will be old enough to vote. Many will be in college, preparing to leave childhood behind them and enter the work  force. Suddenly, they’ll care about how much taxes they’ll have to pay and where that money is going. They’ll care about which countries we are diplomatic with and which ones we are most strict with.

But maybe we can make a difference right now. Maybe the youth can stand up and push for what they believe in. Maybe our generation is different.