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Webster's Dictionary defines the word patriot as one who loves and zealously supports one's own country. To the majority of Americans, it seems that the older half of our country's citizens are more patriotic, even though each person has just as much at stake as the other. You do not find many youth donning apparel and accessories with the American flag, that's for sure. However, everyone seems to have their own take on patriotism, thus showing it in different ways.

Some mistakenly believe that voting is directly tied to patriotism. A big chunk of young Americans still do not vote, especially during mid-term elections. In fact, the percentage of young people who voted during the Presidential election was at an all-time low of 37% in 1996. This number gradually increased with each election. In 2008, young voting was at a decades-high of 52%.

Although these numbers show that young Americans are getting more involved, they are still disheartening: only one in two people between the ages of 18 and 29 voted during the 2008 election. This conveys an attitude of apathy about our government.

Yes, you would think that one who is patriotic would vote in every election, from local officials and issues, to those who are spread nationwide. However, you will find that the vast majority of those who do not vote on a regular basis do indeed love the United States of America, and still feel that it is the best country in the world. The problem lies in the fact that most politicians do not cover issues that concern youth. Since they realize the majority of voters are aged 30 and up, they campaign around issues that concern those age groups for the sake of getting the most votes.

This is not to say that politicians do not care about the youth vote. In fact, Barack Obama made more efforts in reaching out to young Americans than any other Presidential candidate in recent history.

Young Americans do care about their country, despite what other age groups believe. The problem is that they are not conditioned to give back to their country, as was the emphasis in previous generations.

Younger Americans also tend to question the government and concentrate on social changes. To older Americans, this can come across as being unpatriotic. However, if you make an effort towards change in your government, then you must love your country enough to even bother to do so.

The vast majority of all Americans care about patriotism. Some may be quieter in their love for their country than others; however they all love their country just the same. Young Americans get an especially bad rap, because only half of them vote on average, while the other half are more liberal in their quest for change.

Learn more about this author, Kristeen Mandak.
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