The central paradox of American politics, as I’ve noted before, is that the Democrats fight for programs designed to assist workers and the elderly, who then turn around and vote consistently for Republicans. This has gone on for a long time, but in the end, it cannot last. And it won’t.
Those young people who bestir themselves to vote are among the Democrats’ core supporters. At some point, you are going to see a generational equity candidate, who will advocate taking money from the well-fed elderly and using it to fight climate change and pay off student debt. We haven’t reached that tipping point yet, so it probably won’t happen in 2022 or 2024. But it is on the way. It is a matter of numbers.