My name is Daniel Gordon and I’m your representative in city government.
I am 25 years old and have served as an elected member of Bowling Green City Council for nearly three years now. I’m writing to urge you to exercise your right to vote this Tuesday.
One sad truth is that ageism is pervasive. As young people, we are often treated like children – our perspectives dismissed based on a presumed lack of life experience and wisdom – despite being asked to bear the responsibilities of adults. I’ve even heard it suggested that young people at BGSU shouldn’t be allowed to vote.
This contemptuous sentiment should make us angry. But it should also motivate us to act.
We’re called to fix the problems of the future, despite many of them having been caused or exacerbated by previous generations. The challenge is daunting. This, along with the extremism and gridlock we see, can lead us to tune out of politics.
This is what they want.
Telling your friends that you “hate” politics to show how cool you are for being cynical is shallow and counterproductive. Voting does make a difference. If it didn’t, politicians in Columbus and D.C. wouldn’t be trying to pass laws to make it harder for you to vote.
If you think politics doesn’t affect you, think again. Tuition costs have skyrocketed and there is an entire industry profiting off student loan debt because of politicians in Columbus and D.C. protecting special interests instead of you.
Things will continue to get worse unless we stand up and vote them out. When we vote our numbers, we have the power to decide the outcomes of elections here and across Ohio.
In 2010, BGSU students stopped an attempt to repeal city laws that protect LGBT citizens from discrimination. If enough of us had not voted, those protections would have disappeared.
In 2011, I ran for a seat on City Council because there was no student representation in city government. People told me young people wouldn’t get out and vote. They were wrong.
Change is possible, but not if we don’t fight for it.
The bottom line is this: if you don’t vote, they win. Politicians in Columbus and D.C. who are actively diminishing your quality of life will continue to make bad decisions unless you hold them accountable.
The time is now. Stand up. Vote this Tuesday, November 4th.
Daniel Gordon,
President Pro Tempore & First Ward Councilman
Bowling Green City Council
