Naturally, I was glued to the MSM media to understand the “fallout” from the leaked SCOTUS opinion on killing Roe and, ultimately, privacy rights. I saw the rallies and heard journalists interview protestors on both sides. I thought to myself, how all very cute. Indeed, the crowds were primarily youthful — men and women — and I also thought to myself, what passion from these yutes protesting to preserve women’s rights. Unfortunately, none of these people are going to vote in the midterms. Okay, perhaps none is too strong. Let’s say 20 percent actually take time out of their busy social media schedule to show up to midterm elections to vote for Democrats.
I point to a specific interview of a pro-choice protestor in front of SCOTUS on MSNBC. She was young and very well-spoken; that is to say, this was not her first time speaking passionately about Roe before an audience. She was not rambling, and I take her perspective to be well informed and mainstream for her generation. She was disappointed with Biden’s lack of comment on the topic, not just that day but during his term thus far, emphasizing that Biden had only mentioned abortion once. It is an entirely fair argument and an unquestionable point of frustration. Yet, she then says — I am paraphrasing — that because Democrats are failing to have the backs of pro-choice youth, then the youth was not going to have their backs at the polls. And that! That is why I say all of this fuss and fury will not translate into votes. Every midterm election cycle, pundits, pollsters, and politicians keep expecting the youth vote to turn out, and with every midterm election, the actual youth turnout fails to materialize.
Out, out, brief candle.
Macbeth Act 5 Scene 5
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
I hear the future — the youthful life — of America briefly raging against the machine. Still, in the end, they will fail to do the most basic function of being a citizen to effectuate desired change, thereby rendering their vexation and will to nothingness! Oh, well! Welcome to stupid America.