by Megan Marjan Ramsey · November 07, 2013 12:29 AM
While the 1996 presidential election dominated the media, I was a waifish 7 year old trying desperately to organize a mock election in my elementary school. Shockingly enough, the 5 to 10 year old set isn’t very politically active. Besides some quizzical looks at the two greasy cardboard boxes and a folding chair in the corner of the cafegymatorium, my campaigning attempts went completely unnoticed.
In the years since, I have only grown more politically wonkish, though the fruitfulness of my attempts remain questionable. No matter how many well-crafted puns I Sharpie onto protest signs, or how many bar patrons I bother with the varied argumentations for minor party ballot access, it is impossible to gain any political influence without representation in elections.
My generation of Millennials was raised on the notion of voting for the lesser of two evils. We vote for Kerry because “at least he’s not Bush,” Obama because “at least he’s not Romney,” McAuliffe because “at least he’s not Cuccinelli.” We’ve grown so jaded and cynical in just a few election cycles. If we don’t get some invigorating candidates soon, who actually represent our values and perspectives, our generation will be lost to political apathy.
That’s where LaunchProgress comes in. While establishment candidates ride waves of disingenuous campaign slogans, and a gridlocked Congress does nothing to address America’s needs, 22 million young Americans are ignored, LaunchProgress is changing that by empowering young progressives to take the next step in public service—to run for office. Their goal is to identify youth leaders who represent our changing, diverse America—women, people of color, people from lower-income families, people who are disabled—and connect them to unique professional development resources.
Our generation is the future of this nation, and it is time to fight for a say in the policies that will shape America. With LaunchProgress’ help, our candidates have a chance to fight for us—the next generation of America’s leaders–in local, state and federal office.
Megan Marjan Ramsey is the Marketing Coordinator at FiveFortySix. She is a LaunchProgress supporter and volunteer, and an avid political news junkie. She currently lives in Alexandria, VA. @MarjanRamsey