You deserve the opportunities I had when I was your age: a quality education without debt; interesting and challenging job opportunities; an expanded life expectancy; advances in social equality and an ecologically sound and safe environment.

In the 30 years from 1945-75, my generation had unparalleled opportunities to sprint toward the American Dream. Those years were not perfect, yet they were better than any other period in our country’s history. My generation had advantages never experienced by our parents, our children, our grandchildren, or you, the millennials.

You will discover the opportunities my generation experienced were the result of a bipartisan Congress that focused upon benefiting every segment of society. It passed bills to create a “mixed economy” that championed advancements in the economy, education, health, science, and social change.

Then, in the late-70s, a political movement began to undermine the “mixed economy.” Congress began to pass legislation to change the pre-distribution and re-distribution of our country’s economic wealth.

Today, we have “trickle-down” tax breaks in the hope that the wealthy will create jobs. In contrast, my generation experienced a “trickle-out” economy that actually sustained jobs and provided good wages that enabled broad consumer spending and a thriving economy.

The earnings of college graduates have been flat for the past 15 years. Because your tuition continues to go up, what does this mean for your future? If you are not relishing the idea of living at home with your parents, it is time for you to engage in the political process.

Robert Reich informs us that extreme income inequality has occurred twice before in our country. Those inequalities were reversed by the strong and pragmatic political resolve of prior generations. They demanded and supported a legislative process to bring about ongoing incremental change to underlying structural problems. The question becomes, will you, as a millennial, have that same strong pragmatic political resolve to change the rules and give yourself a better future?

Our country’s 400 billionaires, 1.3 million millionaires, big business, and government are playing fair and square by the rules that “we the people” have allowed. If we think those rules are unfair, if we want to see a different outcome, then “we the people” must change the rules.

Anger, or a protest vote, will not bring about either positive or long-lasting change. It is our ongoing responsibility not only to elect but to oversee. Change will require persistent, pragmatic, political resolve.

From my perspective, for this election, it is imperative to work within the existing two-party system. There are third-party platforms with which I agree, and I admire the leadership of some third-party movements; however, history has demonstrated third-party candidates never win. Even if they could win, they would not have the congressional coattails necessary to bring about legislative change.

Perhaps when the stakes for your future are not so high, there might be merit abstaining or using your vote to make a statement. However, this election should not be one of those times. You have too much to lose.

As a millennial, you are the defining generation in this election. You can give yourself the future I had, if you engage in responsible inquiry, and then play your knowledge forward.

—by Sandra Lee

Hudson