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It goes without question that these are trying times for our country, both at home and abroad. When faced with such circumstances, it is the nature of the young and newly empowered eighteen to twenty-four year old demographic to question and protest the government. With these new issues at hand, especially the war in Iraq, the protest and distrust in government by the nation's younger demographic is comparable only to that of the youth of the 1960's and 70's. With a pivotal upcoming election, one that many feel will be one of the most important in our nation's history, the youth of this nation are presented with a chance through the democratic process to make a decision that will unquestionably shape the rest of their lives. It is still yet to be seen whether they will make a sound, conscientious decision based upon what is good for the continuity of the nation and for the preservation of its morals and institutions, or will we make an immature decision that wraps itself in our instinctual fear of that which represents power?
 

This period between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four in one's life is filled with uncertainty, invoking the instinctual need for reassurance of safety. In pursuance of this safety, one attacks anything and everything that may be of some threat to their still limited power. This leads to the distrust and attack of that which holds the greatest power relative to them, shown in history to be the government. Such instances as the French Revolution and the American Revolution proved to be well-founded revolts based upon gross exploitations of political power that were of a self-serving nature. Contemporary youth, ranging from the hippies of the sixties and seventies to today's modern protesting generation have seemed to protest not which could cause the most damage to the well being of the country, but that which most threatens their own self interests. These interests range from the preservation of their own lives to their financial standing.
 

Nobody wishes for war. It is the most ugly, primal quality of man that we have witnessed throughout history. Never is it "acceptable" for a man to kill another man, not even in war. However, when the safety of one's country is in jeopardy, it is necessary to act in this manner in order to ensure peace. With the threat of nuclear holocaust ever present, any suspicion that someone who wishes death to America is in the possession of weapons of mass destruction must be pursued. If peaceful means of resolving the issue are exhausted, one is left with no choice but to resort to the use of military force in order to maintain and ensure the continuity of the safety of the world as we know it. Although poorly executed and grossly mismanaged, and also based on faulty information, it was absolutely necessary to enter Iraq, and usurp a brutal regime that was well known to be in opposition to the values this country stands for. This, in conjunction with the looming possibility that this regime was also in possession of weapons that would cause mass death and destruction to America or it's allies, it was best to be proactive and ensure the safety of the country. War is protested because everyone naturally fears death. It is both the greatest certainty and uncertainty in life. Nobody knows when their time of death will come, how it will come, and nobody can be certain what happens to one's soul after one dies. It is certain, however, that it will come. It takes a special person to think that the collective life of the country, and the safety of its citizens, is worth the sacrifice of their own life.
 

The other most important and unfortunate quality of this generation is that they expect everything to always be fair and balanced. This, in such a dynamic world, is a nice ideal, but one that is impossible to ever attain. It does not behoove the well-being of the country to nationalize health insurance, or hand out welfare checks. John F. Kennedy said it best: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."
 

Nothing in this life should ever be socialistic in nature, because that would eliminate the human nature to compete. If everyone received the same thing regardless of how much money they made, or how much work they put forth, the nation would without doubt become extremely lethargic and the economy, sluggish. Nobody would ever hope to become anything better than average, because that's all they would receive in the end- guaranteed mediocrity. Although the gap between the wealthy and the poor is growing, it is not the fault of the federal government. Matters must be resolved by the wish of the wealthy to aid the poor, and for the poor to pursue a more affluent status. Handing out welfare checks without any questions as to whether or not the recipient is actively pursuing measures that will accelerate their accumulation of wealth is not going to be doing the recipient any good.
 

In hopes that the selection of our next president will steer our country in the right direction, it is necessary that the youth vote with careful consideration and truly know the issues at hand. We take our country into a brand new day, into uncharted territory with circumstances never seen before in history. We are at war with not a country, but with a loose affiliation of terrorist organizations. We are at war at home, growing increasingly divided as issues polarize into partisan issues. This is not the time to be arguing over such matters based on party lines. What this country is in need of is a strong, unified approach at addressing the issues. All we have to do is make the right choice- a choice based on sound contemplation, and hopefully for the betterment of the nation. We can no longer be divided into democrats and republicans, liberals and conservatives. We are all Americans, and we must make the right choice next November. Not a choice that will simply pull out of every military engagement, and socialize healthcare, but a choice that will carry our country further into the twenty-first century, while still holding true to its identity.