The absent young voters

The absent young voters

Following the last midterm election, we heard a lot about “young voters” and their unimpressive showing at the polls. According to an article from the Washington Post, only 11 percent of this month’s voters were under the age of 30, which was even lower than the 18 percent who voted in 2008.

As a young voter who does her best to exercise the right in a thoughtful manner, it can be frustrating to hear society’s general views of young voters. It seems as though people are quick to label young people who do not practice the right as lazy and apathetic. While this may be true in some cases, it may not be true of the vast majority.

Talking with young potential voters reveals a number of reasons why they do not vote, some of which include confusing, negative campaign ads, complex issues and a lack of knowledge on the absentee voting process.

Ask any young voter what they hate most about elections, and you would most likely get the answer “campaign ads.” Most political campaign ads are negative, avoiding positive points about the person the ad is representing and the issues that person stands for. Most of what we hear from both sides is why not to vote for the other person. After months of negative campaign ads, many young people don’t want to have anything to do with either candidate anymore.

As to issues, many college students don’t have enough time to find real facts on the issues or see how the issues actually affect them.

Candidates need to put more emphasis on involving and inspiring young people. During his candidacy for president, Obama did a better job of this than many had before, but we didn’t really see that with this midterm election. And, while Obama has made efforts to reach out to the younger crowd, why haven’t other candidates for other offices, especially those offices closer to home, made similar efforts?

Finally, what about the absentee process? While many people have heard about absentee voting, do they really understand how it works? Many young voters are away from home, on college campuses, during elections. I’m lucky enough to attend a university within reasonable driving distance from my home precinct, but if I didn’t, I would probably be unsure of how to request an absentee ballot. One way to improve this problem would be for colleges across the nation to educate their students on the absentee process, allowing young voters to become more familiar with the process.

Lyndsie Hall, Boardman

The writer is a student member of the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees.

Who pays the price of freedom?

Please, soldier, go over there and protect me. Stand in the way of terror. Take a bullet, run into battle for me. Just don’t make me go through airport security. I’m not willing to give up that much for my freedom. I’m only willing to give up yours.

Paul Hugenberg, Poland

Older voters turned off too

I am a senior citizen, a taxpay er and a concerned American. I was disappointed and very upset with the actions and attitudes shown by the majority of the politicians in our recent election.

I want to bring to the attention of all politicians, the horrible mud-slinging practice and general disrespect shown to each other. I am appalled at the name-calling, half-truths and lies expressed in all forms of media including radio, TV, newspapers, flyers, postcards and public interviews.

Being 71 years old, and a regular voter, I have never experienced such disrespect and rudeness toward each other. What has our country come to? Where has our civility gone? This includes contests at all levels: city, county, state and federal governments. What has happened to debating the issues? I know through many conversations that I am not alone with these thoughts.

I feel that these candidates have sent bad messages to the American youth of today and to the other countries of our world. What were you thinking? You have portrayed yourselves as cruel, dishonest, disrespectful and base to all our citizens of all parts of this great nation.

Here is my message to everyone in politics: This nation still has a chance to improve and move forward if we change the bad practices/examples that you have set in this election. All Americans must show respect for each other at all times, and truth must prevail.

Florence Barnett, Canfield

Money isn’t the only motivator

There is something alarming going on in the Mahoning County prosecutor’s office by admission of the prosecutor himself. In last Sunday’s Vindicator, Prosecutor Paul Gains was credited as saying, “If the prosecutors aren’t motivated to fully prepare cases for trial, [then] we’re going to lose trials, or the lawyers, because they’re not as prepared [and] may give better deals than they should be giving in plea bargains.” Previously published complaints about a lack of resources are one thing, but a lack of motivation says something much more disconcerting about the state of the prosecutor’s office and the person heading it.

A bold, almost contempt-filled, request for a 60 percent hike in the prosecutor’s budget points to many things that are troubling, but none so much as the issue of motivation. Attorneys are ethically bound to be vigorous advocates. In the prosecutor’s office, they represent the state — the taxpayers — and if there is lack of motivation as Mr. Gains admits, then there is a bigger crisis in Mahoning County’s law department than an outflux of legal talent, a crisis that simply can’t be remedied by spending more money.

Motivation should be a nonissue. The code of professional ethics should provide lawyers with all the motivation they need to keep their licenses. If the prosecutor’s staff is neither motivated by the ethics they are sworn to uphold nor their chief, then the people who pay their salaries should be motivated to seek a recall in order to find a prosecutor who will remind them of their proper motivation.

Chris Travers, Youngstown

All-electric homes under fire

All-electric-home owners and builders are dealing with a drastic rise in charges from First Energy/Ohio Edison. Commitments were made by the electric provider decades ago to keep a consistent, promised rate when they wanted the business.

The set rate was to stay in perpetuity, now they want to back out of their commitment. This has left many homeowners and builders struggling during a difficult recession. Two state senators, Grendell and Patton, have held meetings in the Cleveland area. A suit was filed. An organization was formed to pull people together to address this issue at the state level. Citizens for Keeping the All-Electric Promise (CKAP), has been working with the Ohio Consumers Council, has addressed the Senate committee on Energy and Public Utilities, and moved the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to hold hearings. Sen. Joe Schiavoni is on the Senate committee and has heard about the commitment made by First Energy/Ohio Edison and the withdrawal of that commitment.

Your voice can be heard. Two more hearings remain.

One is 6.p.m. this Monday at North Ridgeville Education Center, 5490 Mills Creek Lane, North Ridgeville

The other is Tuesday, also at 6 p.m., at Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland.

Written comments can be submitted to the PUCO, Attn: Docketing, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus. OH 43215 or by email: www.PUCO.ohio.gov. Include the case number, 10-0176-EL-ATA.

If this issue affects you, it is important that you be aware of what the PUCO is doing and step forward.

June Logan, Canfield