Communism appeals to the young in many ways, including the “free stuff without working for it” angle.
But more insidious is the play to the arrogance of youth.
“All the smart people believe this. You’re smart, so you should believe this, too!”
I think that's a big part. Leftists are also very good at convincing people that their plans are a product of such brilliance that everyone can understand them, and that those who oppose their plans do so because they lack the intelligence and insight necessary to see how they will work. This works in some measure because many people cannot comprehend the fact that political snake oil salesmen can be completely without truth. They think (perhaps correctly) that if the snake oil is even 1% as great as claimed, it will be worth something; they fail to recognize that the bigger the claims, the less likely they are to be even 0.0001% true.
Unfortunately, Republicans are prone to engage in quantitative arguments about whether the leftist snake oil is quite as good as claimed, than to call the leftists out as liars. In some measure, it's because exposing the leftists as liars would also expose themselves as having been aware of the leftists lies for decades but said nothing. The longer they let the leftists' lies slide, the greater their own culpability.
Exactly!!!....I just had a talk with a smart young college graduate at a bar that was having trouble finding a job...He spoke all the liberal talking points...each time id agree and would say...if u think that way...you don't have any problem buying me a drink...he bought me 2 before he became a conservative!...lol