The younger generation is often accused of being uninvolved and out of touch when it comes to politics and economic policy. It is a fair criticism, as many young people are sadly out of touch with what it means to be a responsible adult. While it all isn’t their fault, after all, much of Gen X raised Gen Z, it doesn’t make it any less frustrating when young people whine and complain and vote for bad policy and bad politicians.
Recent data, however, may indicate that youngsters are growing weary with Grandpa Biden in the White House. Now that many of that demographic are paying their own taxes and buying their own groceries and gas, they are realizing that something isn’t right in Washington, and maybe the octagenarian in charge actually might be responsible.
As Joe Biden’s approval ratings continue to slip below water, many members of Generation Z are taking note and making their voices heard. Biden has spent an inordinate amount of his presidency on vacation, and younger voters aren’t happy with the president taking vacation days while they work overtime to pay their car insurance. One Gen Z voter said: “I don’t mean to rag on the president of the United States, but honestly, he’s acting like a retiree. It’s been reported that over 40% of Joe Biden’s presidency has been spent on vacation. And I think a lot of Americans, including Gen Z, don’t want a president who seems more like he’s retired the next four years after 2024.”
According to poll numbers, Biden is taking a beating in terms of his effectiveness, or lack thereof, regarding immigration and inflation. It is also reported that Biden is pushing back against White House staffers who are urging the 81-year-old president to take it easy and rest more as the campaign season approaches. Ryan Edwards, another Gen Z voter, said: “Age has definitely been a problem for Biden his whole presidency. I just think that he is lacking the cognitive ability to lead the country… I feel that over the last four years, we have seen a constant decline in his true ability in leading America, and… I think in order to lead the free world, to lead America, you must make hard and complex decisions in the blink of an eye, and I don’t think we have that with Biden.”
Biden’s failings on such issues as the economy, the border, the handling of the pullout from Afghanistan, and the continued clear political persecution of his GOP challenger for 2024 have clearly raised a red flag with younger voters.
Brilyn Hollyhand, another Gen Z voter, said: “It’s been a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ at the White House ever since January 20, 2021. Biden is clearly in cognitive decline, is clearly being propped up by his staff. The first lady, as you said, Axios is reporting that the first lady is the real commander-in-chief. We, the American people, did not elect… Jill Biden to be the commander-in-chief, so we’ve got to fix something. We’ve got to see what’s going on here.”
It is clear that many younger voters are waking up to the mess that America is right now. Generation Z needs hope, not crushing economic policies, unchecked illegal immigration, and a geriatric retiree in the White House. Hopefully, it is enough to shake things up and provide young people with a leader who can provide hope, stability, and economic prosperity.
