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Please elaborate. What sort of socialist programs? Also do you mind me asking what sort of degree you have or are working on?
I'm not looking to flame the hell out of you. I'm honestly curious about why millennials have socialist leanings and to what extent.
Mostly safety net programs for people that are in need of help. I saw just how terrible the "system" was in 2008, spitting out people that actually wanted to work and contribute to society. I was not one of those people - but I definitely believe a lot of very good people were at the end of a short stick - and it was very unfair. Why does it have to be this way?
As to "why" we have "socialist leanings" - for me, it's always been about fairness and the common good. The recession only further instilled those principles in me. I grew up fortunate and come from a background of wonderful parents who cared for me and for my future.
Not everyone is so lucky in this world. And, in very basic terms, I just do not think that is right. I know many disagree with this (e.g. taxing me is stealing! redistribution of wealth is wrong! etc.) - and that is fine. The world is not fair. I know this. But, again, why does it have to be so unfair? Well, it doesn't have to be, actually. We do have a choice.
I think if you ask a lot of young people today, they'll echo similar sentiments. It's not about wanting "free stuff" or expecting entitlements. I think it's more about wanting a more fair world. We're willing to PAY for these things! I'll happily pay more taxes if we get a better and more fair world in return.
Some programs that I support (not an exhaustive list, but some I can think of right now):
I support re-training and re-education programs for people out of work. Of course, "unemployment" via payments, but I think the re-training aspect is incredibly important. And if re-training or re-education is not an option, there should be assistance programs to help place people in other fields where they might be able to contribute with whatever skill sets they might have to offer.
I support social security. I think it is just common sense to make everyone plan, at least in a very small way, for their future after work. We are so incredibly short-sighted as humans, and we need to better plan for our futures. Making someone save now is much cheaper than having to bail them out later in life.
I don't necesarilly support "free college for all" - but college is incredibly expensive, and I believe something should be done to reign in those costs. I'd be in favor of higher taxes if it would offset some of those costs. Something akin to what other countries in this world do. That said, I believe we should also encourage people to look beyond college for education. NYRefugee has spoken in this thread about the trades, and I fully agree that there are great careers in those fields. Anything that incentivizes people to look in these directions would likely be supported by me. Especially if their skills can be re-purposed in marketable areas.
I'm in favor of an efficient universal healthcare system. That isn't necesarilly synonymous with Single Payer HC, though. This system MUST address HC cost. It is not just about coverage...as coverage that is too expensive is no coverage at all (as so many harp on daily here). The ACA didn't do this - and none of the Republican-backed plans will do so. I happen to work in the HC field developing new treatments - I'm aware of how expensive our medicines are. If what it takes for costs to come down is for the company that I work for to take in a smaller profit? I'm 100% behind it.
I'm in favor of the EPA and the work that it does - I am thankful that we had leaders that stood up to the polluters in the latter parts of the 20th century. The air and water quality today in most cities is incredible when compared to those times.
I'm in favor of the National Park Service - what would our great and amazing landscapes that we (rightly) protected look like if we had not done so? Can you imagine Yosemite valley full of resorts? It almost went that way!
I'm in favor of government organizations that seek out and stamp out corruption in our economic systems. The 2008 recession, and the fact that none of the people responsible for it faced serious repercussions was an embarrassment that we should be ashamed of. Not only did many of these people and institutions get away with it, many were rewarded (with handsome severances, or positions in our government (such as Trump's current regime)).
There are likely more, but I can't think of any at this very moment. At no point, you'll see, have I said we should abandon capitalism. But it should be regulated and controlled as much as possible. To prevent gross greed and large amounts of inequality (which we are seeing today, unfortunately). People can make money and have economic success in life, I'm not against people being rich - but they should not be able to do so at the expense of our society.
There are some major obstacles in our future regarding automation and AI (that will challenge humanity like never before) where social programs will likely be very necessary, but that is a whole other conversation...and that is likely still pretty far off (but probably not as far off as some people think...).
I majored in biotechnology as an undergrad, and obtained a graduate degree in Bioinformatics (computational biology - mostly CS course work mixed with lots of chemistry, biology, molecular bio, and genetic engineering). Followed by a few academic stints in some genetics labs (in Ohio and at Stanford). I'm now in a position at a major biotech company working in low-level R&D work in the SF Bay Area. It's exciting and fulfilling work.
Last edited by HockeyMac18; 07-18-2017 at 05:42 PM..
They're youngsters, NYRefugee, we have to cut them some slack, their hormones are raging and they haven't de-programed from American government schools yet.
I'm a millenial though, according to the interwebs a millenial is 78-95...
I was born in 87. So I'm a millenial... I guess...
I never fell for the PC BS in middle school onwards. Or the shady used car dealer tactics for college recruiters...
Hormones, I ignore them. Carnal urges that lead to an unexpected/unintended/unwanted kid not worth the risk. Neither are the plethora of diseases that run rampant.
I'm a millennial and I like capitalism, but I also think we should have universal healthcare and better federal school funding. I have no problem with people making money like Bezos, Musk, Trump, Buffet, etc.
More millennials bucked the two parties this last election then any other generation, I think that is a great sign. We don't buy the crap the left and right is trying to sell us. We want a government that can respect individual and minority rights while providing good services and maintaining a pro small business atmosphere.
I'm a millennial and I like capitalism, but I also think we should have universal healthcare and better federal school funding. I have no problem with people making money like Bezos, Musk, Trump, Buffet, etc.
More millennials bucked the two parties this last election then any other generation, I think that is a great sign. We don't buy the crap the left and right is trying to sell us. We want a government that can respect individual and minority rights while providing good services and maintaining a pro small business atmosphere.
The two-party system is damaging to our political system. How can you possibly expect to encapsulate all possible political thought into only two parties? The world is not black and white. There is gradation in thought. There exists the concept of compromise and moderation.
I'm Independent for a reason.
I wish we had better candidate options than "option 1 and option 2" in big races.
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