Hopes for my generation

What will we be known for?

Tom Brokaw famously named the generation of Americans that grew up during the Great Depression and went on to fight in WWII “The Greatest Generation”. Brokaw argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the “right thing to do.”

I am a millennial — a child of the 80s and 90s, I remember a time before computers but just barely.

The Atlantic Magazine said of us: “they landed in the cradle during an awful recession, learned to walk during the Reagan recovery, came of age in the booming 1990s, and entered the labor market after the Sept. 11 attacks and before the Great Recession, the two tragedies of the early 21st century.” Which led to them naming us “The Unluckiest Generation”.

But now that my generation is in their 30’s, many of us are wondering what our impact will be on this world. We’re now the largest generation, and we’re starting to make real money, and find our political voice.

Recently I asked myself, “What will make our generation great?” What epic challenge will we overcome and stamp upon our legacy with indelible ink? I’ve come to realize there are many issues that could fill that role but there is one issue that must be addressed before any other can be substantially dealt with.

The corrupting influence between big money and our once-representative system of government is of critical importance. With political campaigns all but funded by large donors and corporate interests, we find our Republic hijacked by special interests.

Because of this corruption, our government no longer represents us. A recent study by Princeton University demonstrated that public support for a particular issue has virtually no impact on the actions of Congress. Unless you are one of the well-connected few that can buy influence; in which case your voice magically becomes louder and more influential.

Because no other issue I care about, be it global warming, wealth inequality, or anything else will be addressed until we take back our Republic, I’ve joined MAYDAY.US, an organization set on disrupting the relationship between big money and our political system.

I did it not for recognition, but because it’s right thing to do. I’m a millennial, and I’m coming for my country.