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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                Matt Dulin     Chris Elliott                        Robyn Morrow                  Johnny Peña
                                      Fabian Sifuentes              Kristen Young

Democrats, young people have work to do 

Now that the Election Day celebration is over, voters can revel in the fact that they participated in the democratic process. Their statement was clear, and the Democratic victories in the House and Senate sent a strong message to Republicans.

But the Democrats' gains won't make the problems America is facing go away. It is up the Democratic leadership to take advantage of their victory and bring the change they have talked about. 

The Democratic shake-up in Washington D. C. has raised another question: Will President Bush be able to work with his new colleagues?

The Dems gained ground in this year's elections by criticizing Republicans for the state of the Iraq war and their roles in scandals. (How ironic is it that Sen. Harry "Here's Some Cash From my Campaign Fund" Reid is now the Senate majority leader?)

But now it's time to forget the acerbic ads and put the bickering behind us. Both sides are going to have to bridge the partisan gap or risk dividing the country further and accomplishing little for the next two years. That doesn't mean representatives must abandon the ideals that got them elected, but they must be willing to at least make concessions to compromise.

On another note, youth turnout was the highest in 24 years for a midterm election -- a whopping 24 percent of people between 18 and 30 years old showed up to the polls. Fellow young people, we did it. Let's break out the champagne and make a toast to low standards.

In 1982, 27 percent of the same age group voted. That was during the Reagan administration and probably when many of you were being conceived to the sweet sounds of Hall & Oates' "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)."

Forgive us for spoiling the party, but that doesn't seem good enough. Unless more young folks get to the polls, the American Association for Retired Persons is going to continue running the show.

No offense to Grandma and Grandpa, but we have more of a stake in the future of this country, as in all likelihood, we'll be either enjoying it or dealing with it longer than you.The Bottom Line: Seventy-six percent of us were watching ‘Dr. Phil' instead.