The Screwed Generation Turns Socialist

[applegrove]

by Joel Kotkin at the Daily Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/02/19/the-screwed-generation-turns-socialist.html

"SNIP.........

Yet over time, the millennials—arguably the most progressive generation since the ’30s—could drive our politics not only leftward, but towards an increasingly socialist reality, overturning many of the very things that long have defined American life. This could presage a war of generations over everything from social mores to economics and could well define our politics for the next decade.

To best understand the battle lines, you must know the generations and their differences, and where they will leave this increasingly fractured republic.

The Greatest Generation
The last “civic generation” before the advent of the millennials—a term coined by generational theorists Neil Howe and William Strauss—was forged in the Depression, fought the Second World War, and managed the ensuing cold conflict with the old USSR. Born between 1901 and 1927, members of the much admired ++“greatest generation” were civic minded, embracing the idea that government provided an ideal mechanism to address the nation’s problems.

Like the millennials, who also follow this civic impulse, this generation was decisively Democratic. They are also, sadly, dying out, with the last remnants now in their 80s and 90s. According to generational analysts Morley Winograd and Michael Hais, this group was the only generation, besides the then small cadre of voting age millennials, to support John Kerry in 2004.


............SNIP"

[roamer65]

1. The future of the United States, if it survives, is democratic socialism.

If it doesn't survive, I can see new provinces in Canada's future. They will need a new parliament building in Ottawa.

[DK504]

2. If we survive a tRump like government

the millennials will need to learn about FDR and his groundbreaking policies. He is what made America truly amazing. His policies of fairer tax system that allowed us to build and keep an infrastructure that survives today. I still WPA bridges thought the south and remain in use because the state has never bothered to build a modern structure or maintain the WPA projects.

FDR wasn't perfect, not by a long shot, but with his foresight and out hindsight I think the Forgotten Generation and down to the Millennials can fix what ails this country.

Maybe we could really understand the need for classical education, while understanding their need for different method of teaching. I know that sounds contradictory, but some kids don't think like the majority and thrive in a less strict, less structured environment. I stress a classical education simply because I feel it is a well rounded method that teaches kids HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Just my opinion. And we need to pay are teachers a living wage/salary.....'cause damn.

[Adrahil]

3. Well, they have to vote to make a difference. Just sayin.... NT

[RowdieTurtle]

4. With good reason

America, as most countries do, already has many socialist aspects. The right has turned Socialism, like Liberalism, into a dirty word. I honestly believe many citizens dont understand what Socialism actually is. Esp. on the right. Socialism is basically the combining of a societies finances to achieve something beneficial to that society that cannot be achieved by individuals. Police, Fire, The Armed Services, Elementary Education, Welfare and Medicare, etc. all examples of socialism in action.

Unfortunately, America has been on the wrong track for decades now. Money has corrupted our political system to the point where our govt is now doing contortions to explain the short-sighted, illogical and basically indefensible actions that profit their financiers while getting elected is impossible w/o the same dirty money that is the problem.

Capitalism as a political ideology has many advantages and has served us well but is currently out of control. Capitalism doesnt equal greed tho thats what we currently have. No one seems to be happy with a decent profit anymore. Gotta cheat and gouge to be a profitable company and things like the environment, the health of our citizens, honesty, decency, and even logic now fall to the profit margin and the most recent financial report.

We teach our children that the most important thing is not God, or honor, justice or truth but success and weath. Our heros are millionaires and billionaires. All falls before the need for more jobs, just abit more growth, and a strong stock market. When i was growing up it wasnt that way. I dreamed of being an astronaut or a reporter or writer. Sure, i wanted to be rich, but that wasnt the point. Other things were more important. We no longer believe in ourselves. We no longer have hope in the future. That we can do better than our parents with hard work and desire. The opportunities arent there for many of us. The middle class is dying while we have more millionaires and billionaires that ever b4. Instead of a 10 to 1 ratio for managment vs workers, today it is closer to 1000 to 1 or higher. Fewer adults are able to buy a home and are being forced to live in shitty apts or with their parents. Even our very life expectation has fallen recently for the 1st time this century.

And this isnt just a Republican problem thought they do own much of the blame. Both parties have lost their way. Trump's win and this government are just the symptoms of a very ugly national disease which is going terminal.

[sagetea]

6. Hello!

Welcome to DU! I believe that it is a person's right to have their own relationship with/without Creator. However, Honor, Dignity, Justice, and Truth would suffice.

Aho'

sage

[msongs]

7. so "god" is the most important thing? which god, there are so many to choose from nt

[Warren DeMontague]

5. Oh goody, another opportunity for the Boomers that dominate DU to gripe about Millennials

I'll be over here in the Gen X corner listening to lifes rich pageant.

[AwakeAtLast]

10. We are the truly screwed generation

IMO.

[Jimbo101]

8. We're headed for socialism or some form of it anyway,...

AI, Robotics & automation have already started taking over jobs - and it's only going to get worse (or better depending on what we do with it)

Capitalism depends on workers having disposable income - no job - no income - no capitalism.

[Marengo]

9. "Far more likely to be dismissive about basic constitutional civil rights"

Lovely, just what we need.

[NCTraveler]

11. We simply need to keep up the fight. Not concentrate on one group.

The same age group during the sixties and seventies were talked about in the same way. Many of them grew up to vote for Reagan.

I don't think what I'm seeing today with them comes close to putting them as the most progressive generation since the '30's. I believe the article itself balances on a falsehood. We need to tap into them, keep them, and use them.