Free Republic

Polls indicating that Obamacare may be costing Democrats the youth vote sparked outrage from several sources. Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (Fla), Chair of the Democratic National Committee, characterized concerns over the price as “selfish and misguided.” “Those reacting negatively to insurance plans that double or triple their out-of-pocket costs for medical care are placing their own welfare ahead of society's,” she declared. “Maybe they think they're strong and healthy and don't need medication or therapy, but what about those who do?” The Congresswoman urged young people to “not try to substitute their thinking for that of the government's experts. These experts...

Seduced and then disappointed by a hipster who turned out just to be another solipsistic boomer, now chastened yet still hopeful for change (if no longer swept away by the promise of Hope and Change), young Americans are ready to ditch Barack Obama. Things had been getting rocky for a while, but seeing the dawning of the Age of Obamacare in its full glory seems to have been the final indignity. The young will of course never acknowledge that maybe their old-fogey parents were right all along, but they do understand that what they thought was going to be a...

These are bad numbers. Really, really bad.What is interesting about the Harvard University’s Institute of Politics millennial poll is that it subdivides older millennials (25-29) from younger millenials (18-24). And it’s the latter group that is more predictive and its verdict is wholly negative.There’s more support among 18-24 year olds for recalling Obama from office, than for recalling their member of Congress or even all members of Congress– at a time when Congressional approval ratings have hit record lows. Obama’s approval rating among young Americans is just 41 percent, down 11 points from a year ago, and now tracking...

If there’s one thing that feeds the ObamaCare beast, it’s young, healthy consumers — the same people who voted and worked to put Barack Obama in the White House twice. In order for the system to work, insurers need to get them into the system, paying exorbitant premiums for services they will likely never use, in order to keep prices down for older, less healthy Americans who not coincidentally tend to be more politically engaged. Gallup inadvertently tested that hypothesis and proved it its latest survey: Americans younger than 30, a key group targeted by the Affordable Care Act, continue...

The Obama administration announced Monday that it would hold a special “youth summit social” on Dec. 4 for the “people who engage” the White House on social media. The White House also requested that participants “spread the word” by using the Twitter hashtag “#WHYouth,” prompting intense mockery and snickering from certain corners of the Internet. Apparently, some social media users felt that the White House’s “youth” tag was just a tad – creepy: --snip-- The summit aims to educate young voters on the supposed benefits of enrolling in the Affordable Care Act.

When I saw "The Hunger Games," I was sure there was a strong anti-government message that seemed closely related to our current situation in the USA. The newest episode in the trilogy, "Catching Fire," sharpens that message even further. Jennifer Lawrence is headed for a position as one of those generation-defining actresses, much the way Katherine Hepburn, Raquel Welch, and Meryl Streep were. I'm not talking acting talent, although it's pretty clear Jenny can act. I'm talking about the actress who most quickly comes to mind when you talk of the early 21st century. She delivers another excellent performance as...

According to OECD, teen unemployment rates (under 25) in Europe continue to escalate, particularly in Greece and Spain. eurounemploy That is scary looking! It reminds me of The Who’s song “Teenage Wasteland.” But, the US is no slouch when it comes to teen unemployment. The 16-19 cohort is seeing an unemployment rate of 22.60% while to 20-24 cohort is experiencing 12.80% unemployment. For the sake of comparison, I also included Germany teenage (under 25) unemployment which is 7.70%. unemployteenusgerm For the entire population, here is a chart of labor force participation in Germany, Spain, USA and Mexico. lfp103113 Even beleaguered...

At what age and how did you decide to leave the safety and comfort of your parents home? I've heard so many interesting takes locally, it got me to wondering on a larger scale.

WASHINGTON, DC— Millions of Americans have received notifications from their insurance providers that their policies are being cancelled or altered due to the Affordable Care Act over the past four weeks. Reports on the number of cancellations nationwide vary and are still rolling in. Some project as many as 20 million will lose their current coverage under Obamacare. Young Americans for Liberty decided to look within its network of activists and supporters to see if they had been impacted. Sure enough, many had. YAL is currently collecting and posting images of insurance cancellation and alteration notices from within its network...

A youth magazine associated with the Palestinian Authority has published a list of "words of wisdom" - courtesy of none other than Adolf Hitler. Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), an NGO which monitors incitement and hate-speach in Palestinian Authority media, said that Zayzafuna - which previously lost UNESCO funding after publishing an essay glorifying the Nazi dictator - attributed a list of short quotes to Hitler in order to present him "as a sharp-witted and wise person." The one-liners attributed to Hitler include: "If you were stabbed in the back, know that you are in front"; "Don't challenge a man who...

<p>Japan's under-40s appear to be losing interest in conventional relationships. Millions aren't even dating, and increasing numbers can't be bothered with sex. For their government, "celibacy syndrome" is part of a looming national catastrophe. Japan already has one of the world's lowest birth rates. Its population of 126 million, which has been shrinking for the past decade, is projected to plunge a further one-third by 2060. Aoyama believes the country is experiencing "a flight from human intimacy" – and it's partly the government's fault.</p>

Last March, North Dakota gave us a heart-warming demonstration of traditional voluntary service -- in minus 20 degree weather. As the rising Red River threatened to flood Fargo, willing volunteers gathered by the thousands. Before long, they had filled and stacked over 2 million sandbags to barricade the city against the raging waters. Christians prayed for victory over the forces of nature, and by God's grace, the make-shift dikes held. About 6,000 volunteers of all ages had simply followed their conscience, worked together and met the need. Unlike President Obama's plan for government-directed "service," neither prayer nor God's comforting Truths...

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WRCB) - Trayvon Martin's father was in Chattanooga Saturday, speaking to young boys for the 4th Annual Boys Leadership Summit. It's to raise awareness on the importance of the future. Tracy Martin says after his son was killed last year, he wants to be an encouragement to young people to help make sure no other parents have to go through what he went through. "It always takes a tragic event to awaken the communities around the country, it just so happened the tragic event happened in my life," said Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin's Father. That tragic event was...

As Obamacare began its roll out last week, it is an opportune time to discuss the reality of Obamacare. In order to pay for the elderly, illegal immigrants and other low-income households, Obamacare raises taxes on wealthier Americans (wealth redistribution). In addition, Obamacare set a goal to get as many healthy young Americans enrolled as possible. In other words, enroll healthy young people who don’t want to pay for healthcare insurance. Even worse, Obamacare will charge hefty premiums to the healthy and lower premiums to others. According to a study by the American Action Forum, healthcare premiums for young people...

Local Mosque in the Hyde Park area of Leeds, England. The UK’s official religion is dwindling at a record speed, with the decline of the Church “approaching rock bottom,” experts warn. While Christian congregations age, most British mosques are bringing more and more young people on board. Public mosque services attract thousands of British Muslims, but when you check out a church, there are hardly a dozen participants at Sunday morning worship, RT’s Polly Boiko reports from London. “The decline of churches in the UK is long term, now it just happens to be approaching rock bottom. So 95...

Like the car salesman in National Lampoon’s Vacation (played by Eugene Levy) said: “You think you hate it now, but wait ’til you drive it!” The same applies to the Affordable Healthcare Act (aka, Obamacare). levycar The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka, Obamacare) may be the worst piece of legislation ever passed by Congress and signed by a President .. and that covers a lot of ground. Why is it so bad? For one, do you REALLY want government in charge of your healthcare? Other than that, Obamacare distorts the healthcare market enormously. See the American Action Forum...

Anti-bullying initiatives have become standard at schools across the country, but a new UT Arlington study finds that students attending those schools may be more likely to be a victim of bullying than children at schools without such programs. The findings run counter to the common perception that bullying prevention programs can help protect kids from repeated harassment or physical and emotional attacks.

Chris Conover takes to the pages of Forbes to discuss whether or not young people will take the plunge next year and buy health insurance as required by ObamaCare. His conclusion? Not if they’re smart. A recent study by the National Center for Public Policy Research shows that: About 3.7 million of those ages 18-34 will be at least $500 better off if they forgo insurance and pay the penalty.More than 3 million will be $1,000 better off if they go the same route. Consequently, many more will opt to pay the extremely modest tax rather than fork over many...

As we begin a new semester at George Mason University, it is an appropriate time to review the miserable lot for young men in the US. And young women as well. Let’s start with healthcare premiums under the “affordable” healthcare act. According to a study by the American Action Forum, healthcare premiums for young people will rise dramatically, particularly for young men. obamacare-premiums-620xa Homeownership for the young? And USA Today found that homeownership rates are falling most for people aged 25-34. ustodaymilen And 16-19 unemployment rates remain appallingly high. Higher than Detroit’s unemployment rate! And much higher than the national...

"What do we do about our kids?" The group of parents sat together in my office, wiping their eyes. I'm a high school pastor, but for once, they weren't talking about 16-year-olds drinking and partying. Each had a story to tell about a "good Christian" child, raised in their home and in our church, who had walked away from the faith during the college years. These children had come through our church's youth program, gone on short-term mission trips, and served in several different ministries during their teenage years. Now they didn't want anything to do with it anymore. And,...