What Matters Most

As first time voters prepare for this year’s historical Presidential election many of them are truly looking at their countries future for the first time in their lives. As this election comes and goes current college students will be entering the work force and becoming part of the working society that makes up this country. Becoming part of the working class means that for the first time elected officials are truly going to be the voice of these young men and women, making the politicians stance on certain issues much more important to this young demographic. While many other demographics are concerned with topics such as social security, it is other issues that are facing first time voters that are much more prevalent in their lives immediately rather than years and years down the road.
In light of recent events Quinnipiac junior Michael Nairn is focused on the economy. “Two of the biggest financial institutes, one went bankrupt and one got bought out,” said Nairn referring to Bank of America recently buying out financial super power Merrill Lynch. Even with the current state of the economy many students are finding their focus to be elsewhere.
Quinnipiac junior, and health science major Jillian Estes has her focus in her future field of work. “It’s not fair people are unable to get treatment they need, because they don’t have health care,” says Estes. Unlike our friendly neighbors to the north, not all Americans have health care. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, 16 percent of the population were without health insurance in 2005. To read more about the National Coalition on Health Care click here.
Other students have their focuses not only set at home but also abroad. Quinnipiac junior Matt Andrew finds the environment and war to be the biggest concerns he has, but also ties it in with the current economy. “The environment is pretty important to the world, [we] can’t depend on oil for the rest of our lives, [we] need to develop new forms of energy,” said Andrew, who certainly is not alone as the environment and energy cost/forms of energy have become some of the biggest issues discussed by the candidates.
As a generation who for the first time is seeing the true effects of war on the world, either by the constantly improving technology available to the media outlets or that peers of these first time voters are fighting in the war. “A lot of money is being spent on the war that I don’t think should be spent,” added Andrew who feels the money could be better spent in other places.
No matter the issue these first time voters are tuning in and paying attention, gathering the knowledge needed to head to the poles and elect their next leader.