The Washington Examiner
Published October 12, 2012
Letter to the Editor
Virginia's young voters have a lot at stake
Re: "Virginia GOP banking young voters will stay home," Oct. 5
I was surprised to read that the Republican Party in Virginia is expecting (and hoping) that young people do not show up at the polls in November because many of my peers and I are just as tuned in to this election as we were in 2008.
If by chance some young voters read and believe that story, I'd like to make the case for why they should be voting in the U.S. Senate election this year. The two candidates, Tim Kaine and George Allen, could not present more contrasting visions for our future. One is based on progress, fairness and shared responsibility, while the other is regressive, targets our middle class and burdens our most vulnerable.
Allen has a record of opposing affordable higher education, specifically for low-income families.He voted against additional funding for Pell grants for record cuts to student aid. Allen would also vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which currently allows young people to remain on their parents' health care plans until they turn 26.
Kaine, on the other hand, has worked to expand access to health care and education and create jobs and opportunities for all young people in Virginia.
I hope that young voters do not let their enthusiasm wane and exceed the GOP's expectations because we all have a lot at stake in this year's election.
Linh Hoang
Fairfax
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