'Generation Xers' gather for National Issues Convention

Delegates seek exposureDelegates seek exposurefor opinions of growingDelegates seek exposurefor opinions of growingmass of young voters Generation X is getting older and wiser -- and a large group came to Philadelphia last week to try to prove it. Eighteen to 35-year-olds now make up 35 percent of the electorate. From Thursday to Sunday, 250 of them gathered to call attention to issues that matter to them in an attempt to counter the widespread stereotype of young voter apathy. FIRST -- the Foundation for Individual Responsibility and Social Trust -- sponsored the first annual National Issues Convention for Young Adults last week, focusing on a theme of "We The Future." FIRST is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Philadelphia. The only requirement for the four-day conference was that participants had to be between 18 and 35 years old. On Thursday, young people from across the country came to the Independence Seaport Museum on Delaware Avenue to discuss nine key issues they believed this year's presidential candidates should keep in mind. Among these topics were: "Our Common Identity as Americans," "Values and Tolerance," "Self-Reliance and the Welfare State" and "Political Process and Trust." The convention devoted two days to discussing those topics. After listening to keynote speeches on the issues, delegates broke into smaller groups to work on proposals for solving the identified problems. FIRST President John Smith, who has three sons in the age group, devised the idea for the convention after learning first-hand that many Generation Xers do not vote because they do not feel in control of the political process. Smith invited President Clinton, Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole and Reform Party nominee Ross Perot, but none of them attended. FIRST will send the group's written proposals to the candidates, hoping that the campaigns will heed Generation X concerns. Even without any national political attention over the weekend, Smith praised the convention's results. "This has been a hell of an experience," he told the crowd before announcing the proposals. Those that attended were diverse in race, culture and religion. Politically, their opinions ranged from the ardent liberal end of the spectrum to the hard-core conservative side. But 1996 College graduate Pace Duckett, who attended the convention, said despite their ideological differences, delegates were "completely getting along." The delegates agreed that future conventions -- and all discourse on issues -- needs to include people from all economic classes. On other issues, though, delegates agreed to disagree -- most notably on the state of welfare and the future of urban America. The University sent several representatives to the convention. Duckett is originally from Philadelphia but now lives in San Francisco. He said he gladly paid the $100 for a plane ticket to the convention, which was free, including several meals and parties. He said the trip was worth the cost because there was plenty of "non-partisan discussion or deliberation, rather than debate." Originally skeptical about the outcome, Duckett said he was determined to come back next year. "There's so much energy and vibrant discussion," he said. "So many people have gotten contacts? It's really refreshing. Generation X is supposed to be this apathetic generation -- now we're proving them wrong." On Friday, Penn Public Policy and History Professor Theodore Hershberg spoke on "The Future of Urban America." Hershberg also founded and directs the Center for Greater Philadelphia. College junior Josh Marcus, a FIRST summer intern, and Graham Dodds, a Political Science graduate student, also attended the convention. Delegates said they came to Philadelphia for a variety of reasons. Most, like Jeanetta Holley of Auburn, Ala., were here to "meet other people and be a voice for the future." Others said they were glad to see proactive and thoughtful people at the convention. The proposals highlighted some principles the group held in common. The "Common Identity as Americans" group proclaimed, "diverse unity is possible. We should celebrate our civic and democratic traditions by recognizing our historical mistakes." Those who focused on "Equity Among Generations" called for "more productive dialogue between generations and more diversity of ages in government." Instead of reading from notes, the "Regulation and Liberty" group sent a representative in a business suit to the microphone to announce that a serial killer was in the building. He said everybody's cups and silverware from an earlier lunch were being dusted for prints. A man in the center of the room leapt up, exclaiming, "That's not right! You can't do that! I have rights, too!" "No, it has to be done," answered a woman in the crowd. "Let the man do his job!" After some more hollering and chuckles from the audience, the man at the podium announced, "Now you know what it's like to have your liberties abridged." As they left, delegates attempted to find ways to keep in touch with each other until next year. Smith said future National Issues Conventions for Young Adults will not be limited to election years, noting that the event will remain annual for at least the next five years. Those interested in next year's convention can visit the FIRST site on the World Wide Web at "http://www.libertynet.org/~first/." The page includes information on becoming a member, applying for a summer internship or starting a FIRST chapter.