Sanders' support among younger voters has a lot to do with the financial inducements of free college

[highplainsdem]

and forgiven student debt, no matter how large the debt or how able the person is to repay it.

Let's not pretend that isn't the case.

I can recall a number of campaigns in the past that appealed to younger voters, but they weren't offering financial windfalls that might run into six figures in some cases, with those financial windfalls to be tax-free.

Hell, I can't recall any Democratic campaign before Sanders' campaign that offered such windfalls.

It's impossible to know exactly how much less support Sanders would have among younger voters if he weren't offering those financial inducements, but my guess is that it would be substantially less.

[OKNancy]

1. and it will never happen

Pipe dream

[highplainsdem]

2. I agree, but a lot of his supporters apparently don't realize that.

[calimary]

3. Yep. Nice idea though.

[LonePirate]

7. It certainly won't happen when people on the left shoot it down or mischaracterize it.

When did the Democratic Party start aiming so low that people refuse to support bold policy proposals that would help America - and even worse - seem to be pleased with themselves for opposing policies that would help America? It’s shameful. We’re a country of nearly unlimited potential but people around here of all places are afraid of tapping into that potential because it might introduce some change to the world.

[Doremus]

29. Absolutely this! We've been going along to get along so long we've forgotten how to fight

You don't start at the bottom --- you start at the top and end up somewhere in the middle. We've been starting at the bottom so long that it's become a habit. "How will we pay for it", "they'll never agree to it...." hand wringing, and more hand wringing.

BOLD new policies and ideas. THAT's what young people want. The tired old status quo is dead. Old power centers will be pushed out eventually...they can and should make it lots easier to happen sooner than later.

[Sparko55]

35. OH NANCY - WRONG SO MANY WAYS TO SUNDAY!!!

Most young people see the system stacked in the USA in all the wrong ways. Old and middle age white men calling the tune. Plenty of middle aged and older white women silent in their obeisance to the "little lady" role, you know he puts a roof over my head and likes his guns, and runaway corporations that pollute, and legally steal, pillage and plunder across the country and globe. They also see an inherent problem with continual war waged all over the globe in 'Merika's name. And for what - money.

They also see a cowed population that's been fed so much propaganda for generations that's all bullshit. So like the Stoneman Douglas students they are calling BULLSHIT on the whole mess.

Corporate offered for profit health insurance - BULLSHIT

Endless wars -BULLSHIT

Medicare that still drives most seniors to the edge of or into bankruptcy - BULLSHIT

Politicians that break laws (including multiple DUI's (hey Wisconsin)) and get slaps on wrists or 9 days in jail, while a kid with pot gets 3 strikes your out - BULLSHIT

They see in Bernie a truth telling that isn't couched in not offending the offensive, and in paying homage to big money and the super silly nouveau riches like Zuck and his ilk who think they should rule. They know their moment is now before it's all lost.

So don't confuse why to some it's a pipe dream or a financial benefit when it's so much more.

[dlk]

4. Bernie could sign a bill but congress would have to pass one first

So much presidential campaigning is on ideas that would require congress to pass a bill before they could be signed into law This fact seems to frequently get lost in the noise.

[highplainsdem]

8. Well, since Warren said she can bypass Congress to forgive student debt on day one, Sanders and

his supporters probably assume he can, too, and he's promising to forgive a hell of a lot more student debt than she is.

[LonePirate]

13. The law currently says it can be done. It's not just Warren saying it. Unless the law matters not.

[Thekaspervote]

14. The money would have to be diverted from some where

[LonePirate]

17. That is an issue for Congress, not the Secretary of Education and the President.

[Thekaspervote]

22. Yes, Congress has the purse strings, not the POTUS

[LonePirate]

24. But the Sec of Ed has authority to forgive huge sums of debt and should do so.

People opposed to using this already granted authority are certainly exhibiting their true political and/or classist colors. It’s shameful there are Dems in opposition to this.

[dlk]

33. I'm in favor of debt forgiveness- it's the mechanics of the process that may be an issue

There are several prominent issues in this campaign, such as healthcare, that require congressional legislation for implementation. This requirement is often overlooked.

[MineralMan]

5. Free stuff sells well.

Do those younger voters know that it's not ever going to happen? Do they know that any such thing would have be be passed in both houses of Congress or how unlikely that would be to happen?

Promising free stuff is an age-old campaign strategy. Then, after you win the election you can say, "Well, I tried but it was impossible."

People are so gullible that such nonsense actually can work.

[highplainsdem]

6. This is the first time we've seen really large financial windfalls promised for younger voters,

though.

[MineralMan]

10. For younger voters and everyone else, too.

Free healthcare. Free College. Free Lunch. Free Electric Cars.

It costs nothing to promise free stuff to people.

[dbolski]

44. What's gullible is believing it can't work when it works all the time, for the rich.

Really when was the last time congress had trouble finding money to spend on the rich? Tax cuts for the rich, wars for the rich. There's only ever a problem with 'free stuff' when it would help the working class.

[DanTex]

9. Also among people who have kids. Or grandkids. And his M4A helps attract people who are mortal.

It seems that policies that are helpful to people's lives are a good way to get support from people.

[MineralMan]

11. False promises are not real promises.

Promising what you cannot deliver is a false promise.

[DanTex]

15. The GOP will stand in the way of every candidate's agenda. Everyone knows this.

Bernie is fighting for things that improve people's lives. Will he get all of them through congress? Of course not. But, for people who believe in a progressive agenda, that's hardly a reason to adopt a less progressive agenda before the negotiations and congressional battles even begin.

[dansolo]

41. That is not what the Sanders campaign is selling

Sanders is claiming that he alone will be able to force Republicans to pass his plan. That is hhe lie he is selling.

[Thekaspervote]

20. It's the worst kind of promise. Giving people false hope....so deflating when they find out

It’s bogus. disappointed and angry, what they will remember is a democrat promised me...not good

[Skya Rhen]

31. And the sad part about it is that he knows better.

[AlexSFCA]

12. loan forgivness is not an option

Clinton had far more constructive proposals on loan restructuring, refinancing, deferrals, etc. But loans cannot be forgiven cause someone else will have to pay for other people loans. Higher education is not mandatory, all those loans are 100% voluntary. What BS is doing, essentially trying to buy votes but he won’t be able to payback. If he is elected, all those young people who supported him will turn into conservatives once they realize no a penny will be written off. BS will destroy Democratic Party faster than any rethug can dream of. This election is two-fold: defeat trump and reject ideologists demagogues like BS. While he brought some new voters, he also infected our party with toxic populism. Let’s reinstate our economic values: we are the party of market economy, consumer protection and safety net. We reject

[ritapria]

18. College Student Debt Forgivness

is paid for by a modest tax on Wall Street transactions …...If nothing can get accomplished. .If nothing is realistic .. Then what is the point of trying ? Hey George Washington , you'll never beat the British ...Hey ladies , you'll never get the vote … Hey you working stiffs , the Robber Barons will never allow you to form unions ...Settle for the 18 hour , 6 day work week …..Hey gay people , you'll never get to marry the person you love ….. Now the 'realists" say , Hey America , health care is not a human right - and never will be ……..Thank God we ignored the "Realists "

[AlexSFCA]

36. you can't be serious!

comparing voluntary student loans to civil rights! That’s what populism/demagoguery does to folks.

[The Valley Below]

46. Playing with populism is playing with fire.

Never turns out well.

[Thekaspervote]

21. Nailed it!!

[renate]

16. that's not the case with my daughter

She liked him in 2016 (couldn't vote then), supported Elizabeth this year, and then the whole he-said-she-said thing happened and she believed Bernie.

(I believe him too. I also believe Elizabeth is sincere in thinking he told her a woman couldn't win. I would bet $100 that he said a woman couldn't win against Trump and that she interpreted it, understandably but mistakenly, as saying that a woman couldn't win the presidency in general. A simple misunderstanding that could have been cleared up easily if it hadn't gotten so ugly so fast. And my daughter would still prefer Elizabeth. Anyway....)

But free college isn't the reason she liked, and likes, Bernie. He's been consistent in his activism his whole life; he's sincere about what he says and what he believes. I think that's the number one reason that, like AOC, he's so popular with younger, more idealistic, less cynical voters.

[Act_of_Reparation]

19. Oh boy, another gang up on the young thread.

Exciting.

[BeyondGeography]

23. Wish they'd just shut up, work as many jobs as it takes to pay their share of a $2-3k/mo apartment

pay off their loans and stop with the rainbows and unicorns already.

[Doremus]

30. Yeah and in between work shifts they should be protesting in the streets

.... cause everybody knows young people today don't do ANYTHING.

[David__77]

25. "Part of Mitt Romney's 47%."

I can imagine someone saying that.

[LeftInTX]

26. Younger voters are much less likely to be pragmatic

Unless they are schooled, they don't understand the ins and outs of congress...especially the filibuster etc. Heck I didn't fully grasp the electoral college thing until 2000! (I was 43 years old!!!...It had just never been an issue before) I knew it existed etc etc etc, but never imagined the popular vote would surpass the EC.

I was also young at one time!

[Act_of_Reparation]

42. Yeah, young people don't do things smart like old people do.

Oh. Wait...

[billpolonsky]

27. Because something is happening here but you don't know what it is....

...Do you, Mr. Jones?


[link:

|

[Kurt V.]

28. its probably much, much more about the planet being on fire.

[Nanjeanne]

32. Yes. And climate. And war. And income inequality.

Those damn selfish kids.

[totodeinhere]

37. Actually Bernie's proposals would be of great benefit to every age group, not just younger voters.

n/t

[Zolorp]

38. I expect Bernie to promise Mexico will pay for all the free stuff any day now. nt

[highplainsdem]

40. LOL!

[BannonsLiver]

39. Free has a powerful allure.

Of course the reality is there is nothing that is free.

[LongtimeAZDem]

43. One of the group arrested at Biden's office agrees with you:

Denise Cheeseman

Honored to stand with Iowa Student Action and Iowa CCI Action to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders today! Students stand with Bernie because Bernie stands with us and our fight for Free College for All and the FULL cancellation of student debt!

Emphasis added.

[Scurrilous]

45. Don't dare call it a bribe!

I've seen this on the internets. Sanders supporters talking how much more money they'll have when they don't have to make payments anymore. Could it be more obvious.