Actress and director Justine Bateman, known for her role on "Family Ties," recently encouraged young voters to break free from partisan politics and prioritize critical thinking in elections. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she asserted that many young people have been misled into believing they must automatically oppose the "other side." Bateman argues this mentality is detrimental to true political engagement.
She advocates for a more discerning approach, urging voters to evaluate candidates based on their actions and their potential impact on the country as a whole. Bateman emphasizes that political affiliation shouldn't dictate voting choices. Instead, she calls for voters to objectively assess whether a candidate's policies and actions genuinely benefit the nation.
Bateman also cautions against the pressure to become overly invested in political drama. She advises young people to resist the urge to get caught up in the frenzy and to form their own opinions based on their own observations and values. She believes this independent thinking is crucial for a healthy democracy and encourages young voters to trust their own judgment.
This isn't the first time Bateman has spoken out on this issue. Following the 2016 presidential election, she expressed similar sentiments, describing the subsequent years as a period of stifled discourse and enforced conformity. She has consistently advocated for open dialogue and independent thought, regardless of political affiliation.
Justine Bateman celebrated President Donald Trump's election for lifting "a suffocating cloud" of self-censorship from Americans. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Bateman has also commented on the importance of free speech, suggesting that the 2016 election helped to break down barriers to open expression and dissent.
