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8 Reasons Millennials Prefer Socialism Over Capitalism [Proverbs 30]
The Federalist Papers Project ^ | 2/16/2016 | Analytical Economist

Posted on 02/16/2016 12:03:35 PM PST by Jan_Sobieski

The youth have always leaned left, hence the famous quote often mis-attributed to Winston Churchhil that if you're a conservative at 20 you have no heart, but if you're a liberal at 40 you have no brain. With a self-described Socialist capturing an enormous chunk of the youth demographic this election cycle, its a sad reminder of just how far-left this generation has become. 43% of today's millennials have a favorable view of socialism making it more favored than capitalism. So what's gone wrong with this generation? Over at The Federalist, Emily Ekins and Joy Pullmann have put together a fantastic list of reasons on why this generation is so enamored with the idea of socialism.

1. Millennials Don't Know What Socialism Is

The definition of socialism is government ownership of the means of production, in other words, true socialism requires that government run the businesses. However, a CBS/New York Times survey found that only 16 percent of millennials could accurately define socialism, while 30 percent of Americans over 30 could. Incidentally, 56 percent of Tea Partiers accurately defined it. In fact, those most concerned about socialism are those best able to explain it.

2. Millennials Don't Want Government Running Businesses

Young people do not like the true definition of socialism, the idea of government running businesses. If socialism is framed as government running Uber, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, etc., it does not go over well. The margin of support for capitalism over socialism is only +10 points, but the margin for a government managed economy over a free-market system is +32 points...

(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalistpapers.org ...


TOPICS: Education; History; Reference; Religion
KEYWORDS: capitalism; freedom; millennials; socialism
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
Two words: Free stuff

Yes. Many young people can't abide the idea of working hard for forty years or working hard for a better life, period. It's the Old Hippy Dream of the easy life. I remember the hippy newspapers in the college libraries forty years ago. They promised a utopian future....music, drugs, sex,...no worries.

Many young people still swallow the socialist lie of the easy life without any kind of struggle. I think many of them were sheltered by their parents for twenty years only to find out they'd eventually have to leave the cocoon and make their own way. Reality is hard for many of them.

21 posted on 02/16/2016 3:55:11 PM PST by driftless2 (For long term happiness, learn how to play the accordion)
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To: pierrem15
As someone else pointed out, if you're 25 now the Obama economy has absolutely sucked for all of your adult life.


I'm around that age. I can't wait to tell my kids how bad it was when I was a kid and unemployment was a SHOCKING UNACCEPTABLY HIGH 4% under George Bush, then I'll tell them about the Lobster tank that used to be in the local Walmart (no joke). I've been watching this country go to pot for 7 years.

My perspective is that if the government would just get the f$%^% out of the way prosperity returned.

No Billionaire ever held a gun to my head and stole any of my money. The government takes and spends my money freely.

How these millenials don't see this is beyond me.

22 posted on 02/16/2016 4:22:03 PM PST by Idaho_Cowboy (Ride for the Brand. Joshua 24:15)
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To: oldvirginian
You are correct and the government thinks they can mandate a level of property that is keeping younger works out of the workforce.

There's a big difference between the last generation that started work at 14 and the latest round of snowflakes. Due to regulations have a slim chance of being allowed to apply for most jobs till they are 18. Many end of waiting till after college (a big mistake in my opinion). That puts them years behind their parents. I was lucky, I started working at 16. The company that hired me first, a local seed company got bought out and now ADM or whoever owns them doesn't even hire folks that are under 18. The other job I was at a local department store. They went under. You just can't be a high-school student and get a job at company that operates like Walmart. To apply you must be at least 18 and be willing to work any hours. To make matters even worse the government demands that they pay a living wage.

Try and find a new car without all the bells and whistles. Part of not earning a lot is having to take some risks. I've heard stories about the old cars people had back in the day. That means teenagers don't need a 2 ton crash proof airbag/back up camera equipped car that costs more than their parents house did. Let's go back to the day when heaters and radios were options.

The EPA, OSHA, and democrats in general have knocked all the rungs off the ladder for the first eight feet. Now that doesn't excuse the snowflakes. At the end of you can sit around a tweet for Bernie or you can do what you can where you can with what you have.

23 posted on 02/16/2016 4:40:26 PM PST by Idaho_Cowboy (Ride for the Brand. Joshua 24:15)
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To: Idaho_Cowboy

We are an extremely over regulated society.
Politicians need to realise hard work pays and that they can’t protect everyone with regulations.

I know people who started saving when they were in grade school.
It may not have been but a few cents a month but they always put something back.

I had a somewhat strange upbringing but I am glad I experienced what I did.
Makes me appreciate what I do have and lets me feel good for people who work hard and get ahead.

When I was in my early forties I had to get a ride with a twentysomething coworker.
It was a very cold winter day and he didn’t have the heat on in his old truck.
I asked him if the heater was broken. He said it had never worked.
I reached over and pulled the knob and in five minutes we were toasty warm.
He had been driving the truck for three years and never realised that big thing bolted under the dash was an old fashioned after market heater!

I will give him some credit, he bought the old 53 Chevy for a couple hundred dollars and kept it running until he could legitimately do better.


24 posted on 02/16/2016 5:27:43 PM PST by oldvirginian (American by birth, Southern by the grace of God and Virginian because Jesus loves me. CRUZ 2016!)
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To: buckalfa

You are absolutely right: millennials see how their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents have grown the welfare state, and just want more of the same. This is what Fabian socialism is all about.


25 posted on 02/17/2016 10:59:44 AM PST by Skepolitic
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