Joy Reed on MSNBC: General comment

[CincyDem]

"The older Democrats in South Carolina love Hillary but the young kids are really turned on by the free stuff Bernie is offering."

I believe the reality in this statement is that the younger generation is starting to recognize a primary role of government leadership is to direct the use of funds throughout the economy. For many years, the disproportional beneficiaries of government spending have been large corporations, banks, and the MIC. As I listen to younger folks talking about the election it's not as shallow as "free stuff for me".

It's more of a "free stuff for me instead of more free stuff for the folks who have screwed up our planet, our economy, and our standing in the world." They're starting to stand up and rightfully ask - what about us.

Summary statements like Joy Reed's make younger kids as a group appear shallow and gullible. I would submit that neither are true and their understanding of how things work is actually much better than the previous generation (of which I am a member) at the same age. When I listen to my kids in their 20's (and their friends) talk, there's an acute awareness that they have to step up and become more participative in the political process if they're going to have an influence on our direction as a country. I can't even remember what I was worrying about in my 20's but I'm damn sure it was nothing as weighty as the role of the MIC, global climate change, and survival of the economic world as we know it...lol. (it's was probably something mundane like who moved my cheese.)

I repurposed this thread from the HRC group to make a broader point and not disrupt the conversation among committed HRC supporters.

Disclaimer:

I'm in Ohio. By the time the show gets here for our March 15 primary, it's like Highlander (There can be only one) so when people ask who my candidate is the answer is easy...the one with the little donkey lapel pin. I can't care right now because thoughtful Dems in 21 other states will have their opinions heard before mine. They will do the heavy lifting of sorting out who among the Dems will be our candidate. If they pick HRC, she gets my vote. If they pick Bernie, he will get my vote. If they pick Bugs Bunny, the rabbit gets my vote (ok - maybe I'll think more about this one). My point is not that I don't care. It's that living in Ohio, I've got work to do in the general and I can't get confused by wishing there was some other Dem on the ballot in November. It's counterproductive and a crazy maker.

[brush]

1. The thing is though that younger people don't come out to vote and much as older voters

[CincyDem]

2. Historically, you're absolutely right. But, at some point that tide will turn.

I'm hearing a lot of younger folks starting to say stuff like "gotta fight 'em in the voting booth now or we'll be fighting them in the streets later". Sounds kind of scary but at some point, continually turning the screws to this generation will backfire. Part of what keeps the county together is that most people believe it's better than the alternative. When that changes for a meaningful portion of the population, it's going to be ugly.

What drive people to vote, at least in this country, is that they have something to lose. More and more younger folks seem to be sensing they really have something to lose and they need to get up and deal with it in the same numbers as my generation.

So...maybe this is the year. We'll see.

[earthshine]

3. Free stuff?

Sanders' critics complain:

- Bernie offers free stuff
- Bernie will raise taxes to pay for programs

You can't have it both ways. Which is it?

Just distasteful, dishonest, kitchen-sink politics.

[pinebox]

4. Free stuff?

[Empowerer]

7. You realize that, when they're young, every generation thinks older generations "shit all over them?"

And then they grow up and realize the world is not quite that simple . . .

[pinebox]

11. Nope

I'm 46 and still getting shit on

[Ferd Berfel]

5. Yea - Free Stuff, YOu know............

[Nanjeanne]

6. Did Joy Reid actually say "kids are turned on by free stuff"?

If she did - she should hand in her "journalist" badge and go back to school.

[TCJ70]

8. As a member of the millennial cohort...

...all I want is a return on my investment for taxes paid. I'm cool paying them, but what am I getting for it? Wars?

In the last Republican debate the subject of the draft and whether or not women should be included in any potential draft came up. I have no problem with women in the military, but why is this even a topic? Are they planning on needing to draft people? Yeah, THAT'S going to endear me to them...

Then there's Hillary blustering on stage last night about not talking to enemies without conditions. What a crappy way to keep the door open for negotiations. She's just as heavy handed as the Republicans and I'm not interested in that either.

[SheenaR]

9. Free stuff = Bull

But I would give a closer look to these candidates. I would venture to guess Ohio will mean something this year. I can't speak for the Secretary, but the Senator's campaign has Ohio in its sights.

[restorefreedom]

10. joy reid, as the others on m$nbclinton, need to disclose their bias

she is for hillary, so any way she can twist words to slam bernie, she will.