Voting is the bottom line

One young voter says the economy is a deciding factor for people his age.

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 7, 2000

John Gehm

• 20
• St. Petersburg Junior College/Education
• Pitching the economics of youth

[Times photo: Dirk Shadd] John Gehm, a data support specialist for the Asian Family Community Empowerment Center and education student at St. Petersburg Junior College, says he'll be exercising his right to vote for Gore.

In his first-ever vote for a president of the United States, John Gehm says his bottom line is, uh, the bottom line.

Young people trying to pay rising college costs with minimum-wage jobs should be aware that a president can have an impact on their economy.

"Four years ago I couldn't get the pay I get now. Now high school students can get telemarketing and customer-service jobs instead of work at Burger King," says Gehm.

"The economy is important for a person coming out of college, who's going to be looking for a job."

A freshman at SPJC studying elementary education, he works as a data specialist at the Asian FACE Center, which assists Asian families.

The economy brought Gehm's mother to the United States from the Philippines: As a nurse she could earn significantly higher wages here, where hospitals struggled with nursing shortages.

Gen Y votes for 'none of the above' Young people 18 to 24 are one of the most disconnected groups of potential voters in the nation's history, experts say. The big question: how to get them to the polls. A wake-up call in college Shawna Mulford, 21, University of South Florida/psychology Pushing them to the polls Looking for a better way Mike Tucker, 22 Eckerd College/Environmental Studies Campaigning for his ideals Voting is the bottom line John Gehm, 20 St. Petersburg Junior College/Education Pitching the economics of youth

She always votes, says her son.

In many Asian countries, "when the election comes around, it's a bloodbath. She grew up during the Marcos regime. Elections were rigged," says Gehm. "She votes whenever she can," fully appreciating a democracy.

Gehm was born in St. Petersburg and lives in Pinellas Park. He says many of the registered voters in the Asian community are young people. They are citizens by birth. Older Asians may not yet be naturalized -- the wait to become a citizen averages five years -- and thus are ineligible to register.

In a close presidential race, with Florida one of a dozen states considered toss-ups, "I definitely think my vote makes a difference," says Gehm, who is registered as an independent.

"But look at these candidates. There's not a lot I can identify with. The environment is such a vague topic. Al Gore is talking about fixing the hole in the ozone layer. How? Bush and Gore forget voters my age."

Young people need help with college tuition and expenses, perhaps through a tax break, he says. They want assistance finding jobs. They yearn for candidates who will listen to someone under 60.

His excitement about voting will not be deflated by the imperfection of the candidates, however. He's a Gore man.

"I've been dying for a chance to use my registration card in a presidential election."

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