Dueling political events offer little for young voters

Millennials are finally outnumbering Baby Boomers as a political force, including two of my three sons, and I’m embarrassed.

According to U.S. Census data, both generations comprise about a third of the overall electorate. One group is being introduced to politics and on the upswing while the other is solidly entrenched in their views and dying.

The presidential race used to be a time when young voters came of age while learning about global issues, important domestic policies and the impact of one vote.

Now kids are learning that it’s OK to hate, promote violence and lie. It’s normal now to have candidates who lie 17% of the time, or even 70%, and somehow that’s acceptable.

During this divisive, personal presidential race, our bright and shiny next generation has learned one thing: Adults have lost their minds.

And how far we have fallen.

In every community around the country, in every local political headquarters, there is a volatile mix of passion, fear and incredulity. The rules of engagement have been abandoned, making every interaction sink to its lowest common denominator.

In Laguna Beach, for example, over the weekend there were two political activities taking place. The Democrats were working the phones during an official calling campaign. They were contacting registered Democrats, making sure they had their vote.

It was a deliberate effort, with each volunteer sitting alone with cell phone in hand, checking off each name on long sheets of paper.

Quiet, calm, determined, polite.

The office campaign manager, Mary Carter, asked me if I wanted some homemade Bundt cake. She unwrapped the cellophane and gave me a piece before I could object.

Someone nearby chimed in that the cost of the cake should not violate any journalistic conflict of interest rules.

Volunteer Nick Hernandez Sr. was there, finishing up lunch before hitting the phones. I told him I was surprised to see him since he previously was such a vocal Bernie Sanders fan.

He admitted he was but conceded that he was also a committed Democrat who would support the party at all costs.

Meanwhile, downtown on Main Beach, the scene was quite different. A flag-waving rally was just underway by Donald Trump supporters.

There were lots of stars and stripes and provocative signs. They all wore red, white and blue shirts or jingoistic hats. One got the impression that if it were Arizona, there would be holstered pistols worn like badges of honor.

“Deplorables for Trump,” said one sign.

“Latinos for Trump,” said another.

Cars honked and tourists walked by cautiously on the way to the beach.

There were sporadic arguments.

“I wish I was in Dixie, hooray, hooray,” sang one man, purposely trying to be a lightning rod by invoking the Confederate relic.

“Laguna hates Trump; go away,” yelled one woman.

“Gays for Trump,” shot back a supporter.

Back and forth it went all afternoon – no depth, just bluster: one-upmanship, showmanship, political veneer, veiled racism, bigotry and threats.

The contrast between the two camps was revealing.

The well-oiled machine of the local Democrats was clearly in full throttle. They were doing the hard work that builds votes one by one.

Each phone call was tabulated and reported to the state office. There, organizers evaluated where to spend money: city by city, county by county, state by state, one electoral vote at a time.

The Republican effort in this case was more bombastic. There was no outcome, no changed minds.

Honk for Trump.

Honk to feel better about yourself.

Just honk.

Doubtless, the Republican party has its own phone banks. They, too, are counting votes.

But if you combine the local theatrics with the national stage, where the candidates debated on Monday, you see a pattern.

My oldest son watched along with me. He has not shown a particular interest in the campaign but will vote in November in his first presidential race.

Throughout the debate, he was on his phone, looking at the commentary on Reddit.

When it was over I asked him what he thought.

“I wish we had more candidates,” he said.

In other words, we have lost at least one and probably two generations of young people who are disinterested in traditional politics. The real impact will be felt at the local level first.

Already, young people are not volunteering for city boards or councils because the establishment is clinging to old partisan or outdated models of engagement.

Perhaps it won’t be this election but sometime soon we will see the real outcome on our youth, and we will only have ourselves to blame — one nasty slogan or meme at a time.

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DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.