My First Primary as an American Citizen

I got to vote for the first time in my life as an American citizen last month and I really was excited! I voted in the Democratic primary in Florida where I live now that I am playing for the Orlando Magic. But even more exciting was the news about the awesome number of students and young people who are voting this year. Everyone now knows for sure that the youth vote is going to be critical in the November election.

I think it's great that finally a big deal is being made about the youth vote. After all, we ARE the future! But I have been saying for years that young people are not apathetic about the world. When I was in college almost everyone has their "cause" -- the environment, civil rights, women's issues, at-risk kids. We knew there were big problems, and we wanted to do something about them. But no one thought that politics was a way to solve them. Instead they volunteered for a rape crisis hotline, helped clean up a local stream, or worked at a food bank. These individual efforts were great, but the problem was that they actually only affected a few people. The problems grew and festered because government was seen as the enemy -- even though the fact is that it was and is the only entity big enough and powerful enough to actually resolve so many of these problems.

So today I am celebrating that so many young people are getting over their hostility to politics and politicians, and are looking to the government for change. But wait. Here's my hope and my worry. My hope is that this is just the beginning and not the end of young people's political engagement and excitement about political change. My worry is that being part of the overwhelming enthusiasm, optimism, and hoopla of this election will be seen as enough to produce the change we need.

For the fact is that registering and voting -- even working for a candidate -- isn't enough. Not nearly. The problems that the last eight years have left us with are huge. Everything from the economy to the environment to foreign policy to health care and education need serious fixing. That will happen only if we stay engaged in the political process.

I spend a lot of my time thinking about the problem of money in politics -- of how big donors -- though their contributions to candidates -- end up controlling our political agenda, even writing legislation, and blocking solutions to so many of the problems that we care about most. What today's avalanche of money into the campaigns means is that whoever is president next January will be under enormous pressure to "pay back" those donors. Lobbyists representing the interests of big contributors -- not the interests of America's young people or even the majority of the country's voters -- will be knocking hard at the door of the White House in 2009.

But here's the hope again. That young people will stay involved, stay vigilant and help provide the push back that so that the new president listens to the people who elected him or her, NOT to their funders. So our first fight is to elect someone who believes in reversing the last 8 years, but the second fight might be harder and certainly will take even longer -- making sure that that president can withstand the pressure of big donors who want to continue to control our political agenda and block change.

My organization, Democracy Matters, is just one of a dozen youth and student organizations that needs to -- starting today -- build on today's political enthusiasm by creating an on-going campaign, a youth movement, that has the power to demand political payback -- not for donating big bucks but for helping to put the president in the White House. And the payback for us, the people, should be real healthcare reform, serious grappling with global warming, affordable higher education, an end to the mess in Iraq...you get the idea.

And there is one more thing that young people need to do - they need to lead the fight to put an end to the private financing of election campaigns. The money scandals, the paybacks to big donors, the ever-rising cost of campaigns, the fact that you need to be rich to run for office, all make a mockery of our democracy. And there is a solution -- workable systems of public financing of campaigns like those successfully implemented in Maine, Arizona and 5 other states and two cities. With publicly financed "fair" elections, great ideas count more than deep pockets, politicians listen to voters rather than dialing for dollars day in and day out, and voters not funders determine what politicians do. Sounds more like democracy doesn't it?

Both Clinton and Obama have signed pledges supporting "fair elections." We need to make sure they deliver! America needs more democracy, not less, and young people registering and voting is a great start. But by next January we also need to see a vital, energized youth movement that can hold the President's feet to the fire to make sure the changes we have been promised become reality.

Learn more about Adonal's organization at www.democracymatters.org

Comments

[larry278]

Remember, vote early & often as we natives of the USA do. While the right to vote is priceless you might as well make gobs of money doing it.

[MrChuckles]

Wow, great read Adonal. You were a class act here in the Bay Area and continue to be a great role model. Miss hearing you on the Razor and Mr. T show.

[tabby]

We really miss you! I haven't seen you as La Piazza lately and our little town misses you too!

[tabby]

type: should read "haven't seen you AT La Piazza lately".

Must remember that proofreading is my friend...

[Boadicea]

Welcome to HuffPo and thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts with us. Your work in raising awareness about the importance of participating in democracy is timely and appreciated!

I've no doubt that our youth are our greatest resource at this time.

Oh, and Go-o-o-o, Magic! (Ok, I'm a Lakers fan, what can I say?)

[berkeleygirl1962]

We miss you so much in Oakland, but I think they need you more in Florida. It's inspiring to view this country through your hopeful eyes.

[elkabong]

Bravo! I couldn't agree with you more.

I would only add a couple of things.

First, the public airwaves are just that: PUBLIC. Why should our candidates have to pay for airtime on ABC, NBC and CBS when we give them OUR airwaves for next to nothing. They would still make a hefty profit without taking millions for campaign ads.

Second, young people (and older folks, too) need to get into the habit of contacting their representatives on a regular basis. A five minute phone call or e-mail every week is a habit worth cultivating. Having our reps on speed dial would be a great first step.

[Bluesman48]

Adonal, I commend you most highly for this post, for Democracy Matters, and for your good works in our beloved Caribbean. Keep up the good work!

[UrsaMajority]

Adonal, we miss you out here in the SF Bay Area, bro'!

For those who don't know, Adonal is probably the most committed, thoughtful professional athlete on the current American scene -- and up until recently was still not yet an American citizen. We're proud of all you've dont and will do. C'mon back after your career winds down and run for Governor of California against our current wimp. 8-)

[loislane88]

Bravo! I may be too old to be thought of as the "youth vote", but I fully support you and your org.

[yowza1]

Right on brother!

[TRYKER]

Excellent post and right on. Everything you said is important and public financing is thee most important factor in by-passing the money men that run this country.