I just saw Michael Moore’s movie Sicko (man alive am I glad I live in the UK!), and during his trip to the UK in the middle of the movie he sits down with ex Member of Parliament Tony Benn, to get his two-penneth about why people put up with terrible services from their Government. He says,

“There are two ways that people are controlled. First of all frighten people and secondly demoralise them. Hopeless people don’t vote. An educated, healthy and confident nation is harder to govern. I think there’s an element in the thinking of some people [that says] we don’t want people to be educated, healthy and confident because they get out of control.”

I think good old Mr Benn put his finger right on it. That’s why we’re seeing record turnouts in the caucuses and why Gen Y is diving right into the election process.

Government do use tools such as fear and demoralisation to keep their populations in check, but we’re seeing a fascinating shift in that dynamic. Gen Y is the first generation since the 60’s to have real hope, and to be educated enough and have the wherewithal to know how to go about delivering on that hope.

Both Hillary and Obama seem to understand that, and seem to get how important this election is. It’s down to Gen Y to shape the next few decades and to make sure they keep the process of being educated, healthy and confident alive.