Would you be surprised to learn that millennials prefer socialism to capitalism?

2016-02-11T17:50:08-05:00

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2016/02/11/millennials-now-see-socialism-as-better-than-capitalism-n2117980?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm&newsletterad=
I'm not surprised. Are you? After all, socialism promises to replace mommy and daddy with a paternalistic system that will provide for their every want thus allowing them to live as children in perpetuity. Personally, I consider this an indictment of the American education system. Civics has been eliminated from the classroom and Leftist ideologues have replaced it with indoctrination.

I'll tell you something else that's interesting: RP has a "Topic" for "Socialism" but not "Capitalism". What's up with that?

Bad News: Millennials, America's Largest Generation, Prefer Socialism Over Capitalism

Will take decades to reverse.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 11 at 2016 5:50 PM

2016-02-11T17:50:54-05:00

No I am not surprised CPT Jack Durish. Each generation tends to rebel against previous generations. Many college and university professors are very liberal unfortunately.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Feb 11 at 2016 6:10 PM

2016-02-11T18:10:42-05:00

Not at all surprised. The same scum, trash and garbage that rioted, fled the country and spit on the military in the sixties destroyed our education system and turned our schools into socialist indoctrination camps. After decades of brainwashing generations of our young it is only natural that they finally gained the majority. I only expect it to get worse.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 11 at 2016 6:18 PM

2016-02-11T18:18:48-05:00

1. We are not a monolith.
2. Everything is on a spectrum I usually prefer a two dimensional spectrum to the old 1 dimensional one.
3. We have to fix the mistakes of earlier generations.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/11/05/baby-boomers-are-whats-wrong-with-americas-economy/?tid=sm_fb

This means experimenting with different ideas.

You know debates I'd like to see? Young Robert Heinlein vs Old Robert Heinlein and Ayn Rand vs some of the Scandinavian socialists.

Baby boomers are what’s wrong with America’s economy

They chewed up resources, ran up the debt and escaped responsibility.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 11 at 2016 6:25 PM

2016-02-11T18:25:30-05:00

I'm not surprised but it also has very little to do with "promises to replace mommy and daddy with a paternalistic system that will provide for their every want thus allowing them to live as children in perpetuity." This is the most common indictment on the Millennial generation by older generations. In fact, its probably the common criticism by every older generation about the one that immediately follows.

Americans under 30 only know one political climate, and thats the one we're in now, the same one that American's universally dislike. Now they're being shown something else and all they know is that the one right now isn't working so anything else must be better. In this case, it's not that they prefer socialism over capitalism, its that they just reject status quo of our current American government.

Second, when Millennials think of the word "socialism" they don't have images of the Cold War, Russia, the Iron Curtain, "Commies," the Cuban Missile Crises, etc. They see Canada and Scandinavia. Thats a huge difference.

So I don't think its a reflection on the education system. Generations will always think the next generation is too progressive. It's not as it they don't learn about these parts of American History and government. The difference is you learned it by living it. Its a completely different perspective. It's not possible for Millennials to see Socialism and the Cold War through the same lens as the Baby Boomers.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 6:40 PM

2016-02-11T18:40:31-05:00

It's sad how many of my friends/peers/coworkers only see the dream of the socialist utopia but don't want to research the sad facts of its historical implementation and disastrous effects.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 11 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-02-11T18:56:19-05:00

Ah socialism... The scary word that everyone takes for granted in their everyday lives but few can define when pressed to do so..

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 11 at 2016 7:00 PM

2016-02-11T19:00:31-05:00

I would think most 18-25 year olds would lean heavily that way while they are 18-25. Socialism seems like a great idea when you don't have a career. It becomes less of a good idea when it's your money they are taking.

"If You Are Not a Liberal at 25, You Have No Heart. If You Are Not a Conservative at 35 You Have No Brain" - Misattributed to W. Churchill, but likely from:

"Celui qui n’est pas républicain à vingt ans fait douter de la générosité de son âme; mais celui qui, après trente ans, persévère, fait douter de la rectitude de son esprit." - Jules Claretie (1875)

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Feb 11 at 2016 7:21 PM

2016-02-11T19:21:36-05:00

Generation X here.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 7:44 PM

2016-02-11T19:44:09-05:00

We have had socialism since the 1930s. Of course the young prefer, look at the world they inherited.

Baby boomers not retiring quick enough. Employers outsourcing good jobs and not wanting to give benefits (right to work instead of right to organize). Out of control education costs. The list of reasons for millennials to be worried is endless, of course they want a social safety net for when your detegulated economy crashes again.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 9:04 PM

2016-02-11T21:04:43-05:00

I'm not sure millennials are traditional socialist, but I think they realize something about the world is changing. Millennials, I believe more than other generations, especially boomers, realize that technology is eating everything. Technology will continue to replace low skilled jobs, it will make it even easier for a business to manufacture overseas or just go straight robotic, it will allow a small group of people to achieve incredible productivity levels by harnessing technology.

Uber is the most profitable per employee company in the world. This is the case for two reasons: 1) Uber has good technology and uses a phone to do what a taxi call center used to do. 2) Uber drivers are contractors or free lance hires and not full time employees. Accenture published a report, posted by an RP member, showing an increasing trend in free lance work and decentralized work places over the next decade. All of the data points to fewer and fewer full time jobs in America for low skilled workers.

Now ask the question: what does America do with hundreds of thousands of people, if not millions who have no skills to gain employment in a high tech society? Do they starve? Do they die because the don't have health care? I'm not a socialist but I also believe we have a real problem emerging in our country as technology continues to proliferate and replace jobs previously done by people, and I think millennials understand, or at least feel this. They accept the fact that driverless cars are going to take them to work in their lifetime, and drones will deliver their packages, and robots will be their waiter...and they think...how are all these people doing these jobs now going to eat?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 9:21 PM

2016-02-11T21:21:09-05:00

I'm not surprised. The fabian socialists began a campaign long ago to infiltrate and indoctrinate in our schools. It's been taught generation after generation, this stuff doesn't happen over night. We can see it here, some advocate against the US Constitution while swearing they are defending it; double think. Population control through smaller populations or the nanny state is central to their beliefs. Who supports the eugenics movement today, it's the left who support the eugenic's movement progeny; planned parenthood.

"Education should aim at destroying free will so that after pupils are thus schooled they will be incapable throughout the rest of their lives of thinking or acting otherwise than as their school masters would have wished ... The social psychologist of the future will have a number of classes of school children on whom they will try different methods of producing an unshakable conviction that snow is black. Various results will soon be arrived at: first, that influences of the home are 'obstructive' and verses set to music and repeatedly intoned are very effective ... It is for the future scientist to make these maxims precise and discover exactly how much it costs per head to make children believe that snow is black. When the technique has been perfected, every government that has been in charge of education for more than one generation will be able to control its subjects securely without the need of armies or policemen."
Bertrand Russell quoting Johann Gottlieb Fichte, the head of philosophy & psychology who influenced Hegel and others – Prussian University in Berlin, 1810

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3lBdyFvPps

“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But under the name of Liberalism, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without knowing how it happened.”

Norman Thomas Socialist Party presidential candidate in 1940, 1944 and 1948.

Fabian Socialist George Bernard Shaw In His Own Words

I pieced some clips of George Bernard Shaw together to give you a feel Fabian Socialism. Shaw also supported Eugenics which is the classification of individu...

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Feb 11 at 2016 9:50 PM

2016-02-11T21:50:37-05:00

I'm not surprised but i can almost promise you that half of those who claim that they prefer Socialism can't define it.....

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 11:15 PM

2016-02-11T23:15:56-05:00

This is a complex topic. I do not doubt that many millennials misidentify as socialists. This could be due to a lack of education or the media consistently applying the label "socialist" to individuals, especially politicians who support welfare programs. I would find it disturbing for any American to support socialism--let alone a significant number of any generation.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 7:10 AM

2016-02-12T07:10:08-05:00

not really. That is what school and university been teaching ... so what do you expect out of them?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 7:43 AM

2016-02-12T07:43:57-05:00

Millennials are idiots in my opinion.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Feb 12 at 2016 7:47 AM

2016-02-12T07:47:16-05:00

Not really; we've been converting schools from places where children are taught how to think to maoist indoctrination camps where they're told what to believe for the last 50 years and dumbing them down in the process. The Founders were right; eternal vigilance is the price of freedom and that's just one of many duties we haven't been fulfilling.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 8:56 AM

2016-02-12T08:56:38-05:00

Im not surprised at all , its the technology and social media that creates those MILLENNIALS.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Feb 12 at 2016 9:39 AM

2016-02-12T09:39:29-05:00

I find it surprising because socialism has been proven to be self-destroying. When the state controls the means of production then production falls off. I understand that many millennials prefer the government to solve all problems and take away all of the bad things. People seem to think that the government has an unending bank roll of dollars, thus forgetting that the government takes every dollar it gets from citizens, corporations, or through borrowing. I would presume that with the current national debt being around the $18 trillion mark that the government will find the limit of its borrowing power sooner rather than later.

Response by CPO Frank Coluccio made Feb 12 at 2016 9:55 AM

2016-02-12T09:55:34-05:00

People who post the above don't know the difference between "Services" and Socialism.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Feb 12 at 2016 10:02 AM

2016-02-12T10:02:04-05:00

I think they see the writing on the walls,and that capitalism is nessecary but shouldn't dictate policy.Our system is set up to allow Socialism-Capitalism-and Humanism to work in concert with one another.Whats happened over many years is Capitalism has stopped working in concert with the others.The Millennials see this happening and want to reign in unbridled Capitalism.To bring it back in concert.Hope this makes sense.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-02-12T10:24:34-05:00

Not surprised. Capitalism is based on the notion that you, not Mom and Dad...the Schools...your employer...the Government, are responsible for your own success. We've re-enforced the idea for the better part of a half century that there are "glass ceilings", that there's no such thing as a "secure" job, that a degree is "pointless". All of that may ring with some truth...but we haven't educated the last two generations that it was like that and WORSE for their predecessors. Somehow, our great grandparents and grandparents managed to save to world twice...rebuild the economy...invent the supercomputer and go to the Moon despite having been raised in a truly divided, class based society, Segregation, Depression and World War.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 11:35 AM

2016-02-12T11:35:23-05:00

I would honestly be surprised if most millenials could define socialism. Most of them are just upset that they're graduating college in mountains of student debt to find out there are no jobs available. It's this economic situation that makes them more susceptible to liberal politicians promising free entitlements. While it is concerning in the short term, I don't think it's a long term problem.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 12 at 2016 12:17 PM

2016-02-12T12:17:33-05:00

Most of the Evil Empire Socialist have either gone completely think USSR now Capitalist Russia, China with it's own stock market is operating a mix of Socialism/Capitalism. Cuba which we are now reestablishing a relationship with now. Vietnam which is running and Outstanding Tourism Program for US Vietnam Vets. The only realistic example that they have is the Socialism they Practice in Northern Europe which quality of life speaking is exceeding the US by far lately. What is there not to like? Youngsters are not stupid, they are not falling for that "Evil Red Menace" propaganda that their Fathers and Grandfathers fell for. Good for them.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 12 at 2016 12:29 PM

2016-02-12T12:29:14-05:00

I've said for years that the American education system needed to put more emphasis on economics in both high school and college. Directly and indirectly, we all are affected by the economic environment we live in every day; yet many people don't know the difference between a stock & a bond, think the lottery is as good a retirement plan as the stock market and carries no more risk, and apparently can't understand there are high economic and social costs to the concept of "free" (Bernie voters, I'm looking your way on this.).
I'm not so much surprised in the attraction of socialism in America today (though I'm not sure just how well its newest adherents can even define socialism), as I am disappointed in just how poorly we have educated kids in the last 20 or so years.

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made Feb 12 at 2016 10:05 PM

2016-02-12T22:05:27-05:00

Doesn't surprise me at all, this has to be the worst generation ever. This generation especially the youth is being brain washed by the Progressive Liberal Professors and now we are starting to see the results. They in turn will pass it on to their children and soon we will be in a total meltdown and the Country will no longer exist.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 12:40 PM

2016-02-18T12:40:52-05:00

If you want to know what's up with "kids today," you have to look at parents today. Baby Boomers grew up with modern conveniences that would have been inconceivable to kings and emperors a generation ago, then took that luxury for granted and passed along to their children a rabid consumer culture that makes everyone believe that they can "have it all." Not only can you not have it all, there's a real good chance that in trying, you'll end up with nothing at all.

If you were born between 1946 and 1964, you have NO right at all to complain about the entitlement mentality of Millennials, because you were the ones who nurtured and encouraged it. That's why we have a population that needs a card in their wallet to tell them how much to tip at a restaurant but don't hesitate to take interest-only mortgages, brag about how little they're paying, then blames the Big Evil Corporations when they go upside down.

So no, I'm not surprised that people my age are into Socialism. It was entirely predictable, because just ten years ago all I heard from high schoolers and college students were the glories of free market capitalism and Randian Objectivism when America was having too much fun with the housing boom to check if the numbers added up. As soon as the party was over and we had to pay some bills, suddenly it's all about collective effort and social programs and "screw the rich pigs, maaaaaan!" The only philosophy people truly ascribe to is whichever suits them most at the moment.

Newsflash, kids: the system is rigged against you. Is that really so shocking? Were you really expecting something different? Big corporations hire lobbyists. They're paid insanely high salaries to lobby both parties. What did you think they were lobbying for? "Fairness?" Tipping the scales in favor of the working man?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2016 4:18 AM

2016-02-20T04:18:44-05:00

I think it's natural for young people to be more socialist. After all, when they are at home, parents tend to try to make things as fair and equitable as possible. The innocence of childhood is purchased with the protection parents provide. We try to keep them away from the hard, cold world as long as possible and let them be kids.

Furthermore, the country, for all the conservatives' objections of late is supposed to have a creamy socialist center for our citizens to enjoy. The problem isn't with the concept, it's with the execution. Socialism shouldn't be forced and it shouldn't be driven from the top. Socialism is supposed to come from society - out of charity for one's neighbors - from the heart. It should NOT come from our government.

Therefore, I think it's time for the adults to continue to adult and to get us through this mess we're in today. We have to be the ones that tell little Johnny that he can't spend more than is in his bank account because that's irresponsible and eventually the money will run out. We have to tell little Susie that looking out for the least of these is an act of charity but not necessarily an act of Congress. And, just like moms and dads have to tell their own children "no" sometimes when they're getting out of hand, we need leaders that can tell the country "no" when the citizens do the same.

Great potential lies before us. We just have to adult our way through the mess to realize it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 1:23 AM

2016-02-23T01:23:45-05:00

Young people are dead in the water. So they look for change. In America today i think people come over the non-existent wall. Next day give birth and that process sets them off on a 10 years paid vacation , food , rent , medical & education to a degree. Regular twenty somethings must fend for them self and there is just no way for 9 out of 10 to afford a family and home of any kind. So we have our own people looking at undocumented and saying to them self , what gives. How come the people down the street , the people that don't speak English well. How come their bills are payed for by Uncle-SAM. I thought Uncle-SAM was my Uncle. ** So of course Millennials want Socialism it's a better deal for them. After all what we have now is Fascism and it produced the 1 - % and we need to get rid of that fast before the greed takes us all down.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 3:43 PM

2016-02-25T15:43:17-05:00

How is being a good parent the most important thing? Why not help others?

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 6:40 PM

2016-02-25T18:40:31-05:00

It is interesting that most of the comments here fail to accurately identify the different strands of "socialism"...

Are we actually talking about Marxist-Leninist ideology? ... the flavor implemented by the Soviets... Or are we talking about socialism as a sociological ideology?... are we limiting this conversation about economics only? What does the OP mean when he speaks about socialism?... What does the person being asked think socialism means?

The problem, as far as I see it within this thread, is that people have their own idea about what socialism means but people don't explore the depth of the concept. There is no much negativity associated with the term that it muddies any real conversation.

In my opinion... the broadest application of the concept is as follows:
1) Socialism is about viewing the world through the lens of economic vitality.
2) Socialism is about viewing relationships between people, and groups, in terms of power politics.
3) The application of Socialism requires the individual to strive to maximize social health, however they actually define "health"...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this theoretical approach. But this definition also doesn't explain ANYTHING about the particular ideology that a person actually has. Anything beyond these three points... anything more specific than these three points... is flavor. "Socialism", in this way, can be molded and refined to be incorporated into nearly any left-wing ideology or right-wing ideology.

This is why Democratic Socialism can be a polar opposite to the kind of Socialism that was used in the Soviet Union... It is all about the flavor that the person brings to the table.

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Mar 30 at 2016 3:14 PM

2016-03-30T15:14:28-04:00

No. It seems as though more and more people are growing up with a sense of entitlement and are looking for the government to take care of them instead of doing so themselves.

Response by CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar made Apr 11 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-04-11T12:31:10-04:00

You are so right, Jack!

Response by MSgt Rena Schmidt made Apr 12 at 2016 3:41 PM

2016-04-12T15:41:36-04:00

They like the "idea" until they can own nothing and are being told what to do all the time. This is the generation of everybody gets a star and nobody is "special, talented, or different". From kindergarten through college they have been spoon fed falsehoods and lies. Most parents were raised the same way, so it is a planned attack. I liked the early 60's prior to women's liberation (which didn't) and all the drugs and the "free" love stuff.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2016 7:06 PM

2016-04-12T19:06:36-04:00

i work in a factory by choice, well educated, 31+ yrs service, and see on a daily basis the millennial attitude, it scares me, these kids dont care and beleive the govt will support them, some are right but most are wrong, but the govt needs to stop supportinting them, especially in my home state of ny, capital of welfare, get rid of this new education system, it sucks, bring back the basics, recently saw the new math, are you fn kidding me, take more time to do dothe problem than old school ways. i've experienced this on a personnel level,had my own daughter lived with me, boyfriend and grandson, after this pos son in law did'nt have a job i launched thier asses back to florida

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Apr 12 at 2016 7:47 PM

2016-04-12T19:47:49-04:00

Hey, I'm a committed socialist. I liked free stuff plus pay for working in the military. That was the incentive when I joined. "Free medical, dental, clothing, food, room, education, retirement plan, travel at government expense, plus per diem, BX, Commissary. "

It was cradle to grave. Cost me $24 for my daughter at RAF Upper Heyford in the UK in 1989. Fuel was subsidized -- gas cost the Brits $4-5 a gallon and we paid $1.33. I can use the military hospitals. We are absolute socialists. Works for us.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Apr 13 at 2016 4:51 AM

2016-04-13T04:51:48-04:00

I think that "Millennials" perceive some aspects of Socialism as being better than what they perceive to be a federal plutocracy in D.C.

It's easy to generalize and dismiss them as immature and inexperienced, but older people have often become jaded to "business as usual" and forget that things COULD be better for more people.

As conservatives, we need to get away from "counter-narratives" and craft a cohesive, unified narrative that clearly articulates plans and programs that would benefit the majority of Americans. Without that, conservatives are viewed as a group of "old white men", whose only contributions to the national discourse are to oppose the President...without offering viable, politically palatable alternatives.

We simply must do better.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 17 at 2016 8:01 AM

2016-04-17T08:01:44-04:00

Doesn't surprise me one bit. They've grown up in the world of handouts and feebees. Sounds kind of cruel, bad and a lot will think I'm pretty loco, but in my opinion, it might do the world good if there was a big collapse and everyone had to get out and work for a living. Either work or go hungry - It would be a rude awakening for many.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-04-17T11:01:15-04:00

Very few true socialist in the US will tell the millennials exactly what Socialism entails. Change will only be possible if the millennials disregard the past history of socialist nations. The " bright eyed " gladiators will soon learn the emperor ha.........nahhh.... is nekkid.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 21 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-06-21T13:22:01-04:00

Not in the least. They bitch about government on one hand and want government handouts in the other.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 2:13 PM

2016-06-21T14:13:55-04:00

I'm not surprised. They have been indoctrinated since the 60s generation took over the education system.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jun 21 at 2016 5:40 PM

2016-06-21T17:40:14-04:00

CPT Jack Durish Wait the generation who wants everything without sacrificing or working for anything prefers socialism, no way!

Response by MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy made Apr 9 at 2017 6:49 PM

2017-04-09T18:49:18-04:00

CPT Jack Durish – Just the type of information I'm looking for today, Sir. Thanks for sharing1

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Apr 9 at 2017 7:27 PM

2017-04-09T19:27:52-04:00

I will say that this is a broad generalization of the group. The biggest problem is that when the left gained power in education, they shut the door behind them. When you point to the body count that socialism has left most will concede that it's wrong. I simply tell them that from in the 20th century socialism killed more people than smallpox. When the scoff at that I tell them the numbers:
USSR 65 million
NAZI Germany 17-20 million
China 120 million
Cambodia 4 million
North Korea 3-6 million
Cuba 500000

Usually most are stunned by the revolation that NAZI is short for National Socialist. But the shear numbers makes people realize that if it were really that great the wouldn't need to kill so many people to get them to go along with it.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Apr 9 at 2017 8:00 PM

2017-04-09T20:00:49-04:00

Bernie confused them when he called himself a Democratic Socialist.

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 10 at 2017 8:42 AM

2017-04-10T08:42:59-04:00

Wow! I read all the posts before trying to respond. It is like watching groups argue over what orange is; One group is adamant that orange is a color, the other group is adamant that orange is a fruit, and some people think orange is the new black. Neither side will accept the other's definition, but insists in making their argument based on their definition.

I do happen to believe that there is one valid definition of "Socialism", but then you can throw some modifier on it and it may have little to do with the classic definition of "Socialism."

Response by SFC James Welch made Aug 28 at 2018 6:04 PM

2018-08-28T18:04:45-04:00

No, not a bit. They haven’t lived in the real world since they were born!

Response by CPO Nate S. made Dec 31 at 2018 12:20 PM

2018-12-31T12:20:33-05:00

CPT Jack Durish Millenials (my daughter) vs Generation Z (her son, my Grandson) are an interesting comparison If this article is to be believed the Generation Z group looks like a check (at least on paper via survey) against the Millennials.

https://www.inc.com/ryan-jenkins/generation-z-vs-millennials-the-8-differences-you-.html

When comparing Baby Boomers (me) to Generation Z (My grandson) I see great hope. If this article is to be believed my grandson and his generation are more inline with the thinking that created the greatest generation that impacted many of in the Boomer Generation. So, I think that is good news for our nation's future!!!

http://www.generationaledge.com/blog/posts/genz-like-grandparents

I think the only thing now is for these Gen Z kids in the next 10 years to be the tour de force that really questions the their Millennial parents and pushes the envelop of using tech to solve problems vs exploitation as the 1st article suggest and I agree with. The attitudes of so called Millenials have emerged, at least to me, as attitudes that say "Give me information and I tell you what to think" vs "Teach me HOW to think and I'll examine the available information and determine for myself using various tools what the data means to me." The latter being more my grandson's attitude.

When we think about 2026 and the beginning of the next 250 years of Freedom, it seems to me that the Generation Z group is looking to reclaim the American Dream, but with a twist! I think they in general have little tolerance for "-isms" or "-ists" and while they have some consideration for people's feelings, they are more concerned with results and less tolerant of excuses or what i call the "...Oh, mannnnnn..." syndrome that seems to question, because they want to avoid rather than take responsibility.

Finally, I think Generation Zs are more a "We the people....ALL the people..." group that believes to have "collective" Life, Liberty and Happiness that every "INDIVIDUAL" has to have "their" Life, Liberty and Happiness in tact, otherwise collective misery is at hand. I am thinking in 50 years the Gen Zs will become the next "greatest generation" in ways we can not see or understand right now. But, I first think the Millenials will have to better engage with them, because I think the emerging Gen Zs tolerance for "stupid" will be even less than "the Greatest Generation's". That is if my own grandson is any indication.

Capt Richard I P. You spoke about "3. We have to fix the mistakes of earlier generations." Are you actually speaking about "Me" personally (OR) about "Governmental Policies of a given period" that created issues "I and others" had to deal with, but we had hand in creating? Don't get me wrong, I am not taking your comments personal, at any level. What I am saying is "experimenting" is what happened with "the social safety net" that has taken on more than it was intended to, AND that unless we have more immediate and painful remedies for the ENRON abuses of the world for the individuals that believed that hype and yet still suffered and never recovered then what you are talking about lacks perspective. Remember greed and power in both systems require checks and balances and the humans that administer both systems Capitalism and Socialism are flawed precisely because of their HUMAN frailties. ALL SYSTEMS on paper or via rhetoric can be made to sound ideal, but the lynch pin to both is the HUMAN element! Both collectively and individually.

Ask yourself this question: Are the issues of earlier generations "mistakes" or "growing pains?" The Founders expected "growing pains" and in the construction of the Constitution used the words "...to form a more perfect union..." to anticipate and understand that our "American Experiment" would be "painful", but in the end would be worth the pain as we worked and struggled to be that "...more perfect union." It sucks, the pain, trust me!, I know. But, my father who came here from war ravaged Europe after WWII to become a citizen and who was 100% SCD from an accident he sustained during his USAF career, taught me that every person has value and from every situation lessons are learned and from every point in history the world learns both what that world wants and does not want to become. We...:

- did not like taxation without representation, so we fought a revolution to create a new path forward;
- did not want to continue to enslave, so we fought a great civil war to free both the slave and the enslaver so they could ;
- did not want to only engage men in the political process, so we forged the rights of women to engage;
- did not want to live in tyranny, so we joined the fight to defeat against the hate and fear of Facism;
- did not want to disenfranchise "lawful citizens" the right to vote, so we established 'voting rights' and 'civil rights, thus laying the foundation for "human rights";
- are now struggling for a new level of "human rights" that is spurring a new debate on what the "... to Life, to Liberty and to the Pursuit of happiness means in the 21th Century and beyond.

So the question is have we made "mistakes" or are we, in each generation, closing the identified gaps (aka growing pains) in the wall to provide a tight yet flexible seal along the expanse that we call - democracy! Again, we are "imperfect people" working to form "...a more perfect union...." Not easy!

Also, you are correct we are (1) Not a monolith and (2) the world is a wonderful spectrum of possibilities. Yet, my father also taught me "Son, remember, your rights end so far as the next person's right begin and likewise, that person's right end, so far as your rights begin." In other words, no one is "more equal" than another and likewise on one is "less equal" than another. In order to have "...a more perfect union..." people have to respect each other.

In closing, I really liked what CPT Jack Durish said:

"It would really help if we began by defining terms. When I taught computer programming and architecture, I always began new classes with a question: "What's a frog?" The object of the question was to demonstrate how people can misinterpret what others say when they use the same term to mean different things."

My experience confirms the above, which is why, my responses here on RP, tend to be more detailed. men like CPT Durish and I have the benefit perspective over time. We call that the maturing process! If we are honest with ourselves, we want to "...leave the world a little better than we found it." But, that means we have to engage people and not blame people "aka prior generations" OR "All - what here" thus condemning, by implication, rather than looking at each individual for their unique value. There is ALWAYS room and opportunity to find the good and the not so good in individuals, systems or generations, but it is with "responsible balance" that we evaluate both the good and not so good via clear and not "fogged" goggles! Sometimes, we have remove the goggles, wipe them out and re-position the googles to get a new perspective. Does not mean we change our views, just means we take the time and make the efforts to understand the other person's point of view regardless. That can be very tricky at times!!! Very Tricky!!!

Just some thoughts!

COL Mikel J. Burroughs; Maj Marty Hogan; COL Lee Flemming; SMSGT Gerald "Doc" Thomas; SCPO Morris Ramsey; Lt Col Charlie Brown; Maj Alea Nadeem; LTC Private RallyPoint Member; Maj William W. 'Bill' Price; LTC Stephen C.; LTC Stephen F.; LTC Jason Mackay; CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member; MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi; Nicci Eisenhauer; MSgt Paul Connors (Publishing)

Generation Z Versus Millennials: The 8 Differences You Need to Know

Eight pivotal differencesbetween Millennials and Generation Z that will impact organizational structure, workplacecommunications,employeetraining, and more.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 16 at 2019 8:39 AM

2019-04-16T08:39:20-04:00

We need young people that have been raised conservatively to get educated(an alternative school is go to http//Hillsdale.edu and it’s totally conservative. They accept no Federal funds to run the school[they also have Charter schools -K-12].. Any way get them degreed and out there ! Get more Charter schools So kids can get a conservative education .. as long as it takes no Fed funds, the gov’t can’t tell them they HAVE TO push some cialistic ideals.. Sure they’ll tell about them and how bad they are.. but not teach in that style.; telling how great Stalin and Marx and Castro were.. etc.,.. maybe we can get our country back on the right track..
We .. a group of conservatives had almost gotten possession of a school building that would of prob’ly been good enough to start a Charter school.. We were so close(but alas no cigar). And got stopped in our tracks.. we had talked to young people that were close to Graduating Hillsdaie and soon would be to come and teach.. we’d figured that by the time the soon to graduate had graduated we could start.. with time to get courses started.. We had so many wrenches thrown in our works.. about like when The socialist wanted to inject monitors in the homeschools to make sure they were following the curriculums the socialist school system had set up. That the Home schools would be fair to LGBTQ studies and not pick them apart..
Well geez what the frick is the use of homeschooling if we had to follow their curriculum? Well.. that was their point..
come back to public schools and be subject to trans-gender kids and Commies .. and other socialist lean’g Studies.. We thought after a study we done we would have enough to get our charter K to 12 school going. But as I said they said we had to do certain things to meet their agenda.. part of our program would be JROTC.. .. voluntary.. And of course the lefties said if you do that.. you have to include QLGBTQ studies .. we thought that was a ruse to get the studies in.. then we remembered up the trans-gender sitrep.. Well we put our plans aside, we were not destroying them just waiting for the right moment..

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 16 at 2019 4:44 PM

2019-04-16T16:44:06-04:00

From my perspective, many of the younger Millennials I have seen don't want to work hard at anything, have a sense of entitlement, and need a drastic improvement with their set of values.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 2 at 2020 7:13 AM

2020-04-02T07:13:01-04:00

Socialist government would love millennials that are ‘perpetual children that would turn to them.. that would NOT think for themselves.. so they would swallow whole the socialistic ‘think’ . Don’t go to a job, live on that gov’t ‘entitlement’ check ...

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Apr 2 at 2020 10:16 AM

2020-04-02T10:16:35-04:00

No, we, as a society, have given our children everything. In some cases, the government has given our children free healthcare, free lunches at school, free education at college, free housing, etc. Look at Bill Clinton--he lived in public housing most of his life--low income housing as a child, the Governor's mansion, and the White House. Socialism is the new Communism.

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Apr 2 at 2020 1:09 PM

2020-04-02T13:09:13-04:00

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Bernie Sanders walks into a bar. Walks up to the bartender and says "FREE drinks for everyone!"
Then looks around the room and says "now who is going to pay for it?"
True Story haha.