As the ball dropped in Times Square at midnight, I was heartened by the multitudes of young people caught on camera. The first thought that came to mind is these are our future voters, and I asked myself what type of country will they envision as they grow older.
The general atmosphere in the U.S. and throughout the world is rather dark right now, but perhaps 2026 will spur the imaginations of people who will be responsible for what occurs within the next two generations. It is sad to think that some young people will follow JD Vance, since he has picked up the mantle from the late Charlie Kirk. Yet, there is hope. Perhaps once Trump is gone, young people will develop an interest in the good things politics can produce under the right conditions, as opposed to following the path of MAGA.
It is perhaps too late for people in my generation to change direction in the United States, with the exception of seniors showing up in force to vote in the 2026 midterms. However, young people have an opportunity to implement change for the betterment of society. This means studying the Constitution thoroughly, in addition to having a full grasp of world and U.S. history. Engaging with one another in a civil manner is another virtue that will be important as the future is contemplated.
2025 is now behind us. Let's hope that our future generations will learn from the mistakes made in 2025, and begin to craft a brighter future.
