by JD Ford, guest writer
I was nervous about going to Senator Michael Bennet’s town hall on October 15th. Politics is such a touchy subject, but I’ve had this growing sense that if I want to see change, I need to be a part of making that change. In the current combative political climate, it feels like we are asked to pick sides and then fight to the pain. It’s getting us nowhere. Complex issues are reduced to political soundbites used to vilify and blame the other side. The rich and powerful push through their agendas, and the average citizen is left to endure the consequences. It feels like the larger concerns are beyond our ability to affect. Caring about how and why our political system works is a lot to ask. Politics can be boring, and being informed takes effort. How can anyone understand laws purposefully written to be obtuse or so weighted down with special interest addenda that they’re unreadable? Who has time for that? Why should we participate in town halls, caucuses, campus events, rallies, protests, elections, or debates? The hard truth is, engaging in these events empowers our voices, enriches our communities, and shapes the future we desire.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Most of my classmates are 16-22 years old, but that demographic was largely absent. Where were they?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As a non-traditional student, I looked around the town hall and noticed a wide range of ages, weighted heavily towards the mature. Most of my classmates are 16-22 years old, but that demographic was largely absent. Where were they?
Alberto Medina, who leads the Center for Information and Research on Civic Engagement at Tufts University, said, “There’s a sense that democracy isn’t working for young people. There’s a lack of belief that democracy is even able to improve their lives” (“‘Democracy Isn’t Working’: Many Young Adults Believe Voting Is Not Important, AP-NORC Poll Finds”).
Senator Bennet’s opening remarks reflected this understanding when he said, “…we’re now at a place in American history, where for the first time…my generation is at risk of being the first generation of Americans to leave less opportunity, not more, to those that are coming after us.”
“You can see that in times when people feel like their families can’t get ahead, that the next generation can’t do better than this generation, that’s when people sometimes start to give up on democracy…” said Bennet.
The recent national poll by the Institute of Politics at Harvard found that only 19% trust the federal government to do the right thing (“50th Edition – Spring 2025”). There is a disconnect that happens when citizens feel powerless. The People seem to struggle with a sense of civic responsibility because many don’t feel deep social connections or feel a sense of community.
If the average citizen has no power, then why bother with the theater of democracy? The first question of the town hall gives us insight into the answer.
WHAT IS SO HARD ABOUT HAVING A SIT-DOWN CONVERSATION WITH EVERYONE AND JUST TRYING TO HAVE A DECENT CONVERSATION?
It’s hard to have a sit-down conversation when no one shows up. It’s even harder when neither side is willing to listen. I’m not just talking about our representatives; I’m talking about us. The town hall and other events like it represent an opportunity to express our concerns and questions directly to a representative in our government. Our future is directly affected by our absence.
Bennet’s response to the question was telling: “First of all, let me say it is a lot more difficult than it used to be. … Our national political system, where there’s just a perpetual partisan fight between the two parties, … is incredibly unhelpful to the future of our country,” he said. When the most extreme voices have shouted down everyone else, the majority is no longer represented. If our voices are absent from these events, how can we be surprised when our needs aren’t represented? Currently, our administration is trying to restrict activities on college campuses and enforce other kinds of burdens in exchange for priority in federal funding. An issue that affects us as students directly. 
“The entire point of being on a college campus is to have freedom of speech. It’s to have the ability to disagree with each other, and I think that’s a really important point to make because sometimes …everybody feels like we’re all supposed to have a monopoly on wisdom. … It’s my way or the highway. I can tell you the worst decisions that I make are the ones I make home alone… not contending with someone else’s perspective or point of view, or experience, or religion, or upbringing. … The more practice you can get standing up for your principles, …being willing to disagree but in a way where we can get to that better result, that’s where we have to get to at the end of the day. … We’re having a hard time hearing each other in this moment. I think the answer to that is to have the kind of face-to-face conversation we’re having right now in this hall,” Bennet said.
As students, many of us are still figuring out who we are, what we believe, and what matters to us. The 15 questions the Senator addressed during the town hall were diverse. Some questions were specific, some were exceptionally personal, and some were broad. All of them were part of a complex interplay. Those who agreed, disagreed, or hadn’t known about the topics raised during the event. We all left the event with the opportunity to practice empathy, learning, and resolve. This is why we must actively show up and communicate with each other as human beings once again. We have the ability to disagree respectfully, collaborate effectively, and recognize the values of others. The greatest act of empathy is being fully present with one another, and it’s time we embrace that.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The greatest act of empathy is being fully present with one another, and it’s time we embrace that.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“‘Democracy Isn’t Working’: Many Young Adults Believe Voting Is Not Important, AP-NORC Poll Finds.” PBS News, 5 Aug. 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democracy-isnt-working-many-young-adults-believe-voting-is-not-important-ap-norc-poll-finds.
“50th Edition – Spring 2025.” The Institute of Politics at Harvard University, iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/50th-edition-spring-2025.
Bennet, Michael. Pikes Peak State College Town Hall with Senator Michael Bennet, 15 Oct. 2025, Pikes Peak State College, Colorado Springs.
