Valdosta Pulse: Cady Suber
Mar. 30—Cady Suber, a 21-year-old Valdosta State University student, cites the economy, crime and women's rights as the most critical issues that voters must focus on in the upcoming election.
Her work as a waitress at a local restaurant has made her aware of inconsistencies in taxing the youngest workers who are just starting out, she said. She said some candidates undervalue the needs of the new-to-the-workforce young adults entering the economy.
Without a young group of voters, she said she worries that politicians who can elicit change might ignore issues like worker's rights and equal pay across genders.
"It is important that young voters like myself, who are struggling to pay for a higher education while holding down the lowest pay jobs in the local economy, seek candidates for office that will focus on these needs."
Suber also said that crime is a significant issue among younger voters.
"Most young voters enter a workforce at a lower standard of living, and many locations where rental properties are available and fit into one's budget are not as secure as possible. With economic issues and poverty, unsafe living locations become prime spots for crime," Suber said, "and voters need to focus on how crime and economics come together to influence a community's citizens."
The most important issue for Suber is women's rights and how laws complicate or ease a woman's attempt to make it in the world.
"I am concerned that at the top, the presidential ticket, women's issues are marginalized and pushed to the side just because there are not many women who run or win elected positions," said Suber.
Without the support of legislators and would-be candidates, Suber said that the rights of women take a back seat to the more traditional concerns that are typically the focus in major political campaigns like government spending and gun violence.
Suber said she is also concerned about the age of the likely Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
"The world they grew up in is gone — innovation, technology and cultural changes have made this a very different world. I wish there were younger candidates out there that would connect with younger voters so that issues our generation faces are highlighted and dealt with by the government sooner rather than later," said Suber.
When asked who she would probably vote for as she considers what she knows currently about each probable candidate's platform, Suber is non-committal.
"For me, it will probably come down to one issue since I don't agree with the candidates' stance on every issue they discuss. I have to keep my hopes up that my one vote will make a difference."
