Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

FreakinDJ

(17,644 posts)
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:15 AM Jun 2016

Like It or Not, the Democratic Party Now Must Answer to Millennials

The fact is many Sanders advocates are young, and this is integral to their capacity to progress a dynamic agenda. Often depicted as self-absorbed and apathetic, young people have in reality been the principal collateral damage of neoliberalism. Not only are they poor, but as a result of impossible student debt burdens, no expectation of job security, falling real wages and the constant threat of impending global economic collapse, they are future poor. They are the most incarcerated generation in history (over 50 percent of people incarcerated in state prisons are between the ages of 20 and 30), living in a country where rising national debt levels are everywhere cited as the cause of crumbling infrastructure, and where nearly half of all young people admit to avoiding seeking medical treatment because the cost is prohibitive. For most millennials, their entire adulthood has been defined by permanent war, imbedded inequality, omnipresent poverty, routine corruption and a planet that is dying as they stand upon it. As the 2016 State of the Millennial report noted in its assessment of the challenges facing young people, "48 percent of Millennials now believe that the American Dream is dead."

Compounding these deep-set infrastructural problems, voter suppression in Arizona and New York, and the lackluster response to it, has only intensified suspicions that the democratic process is neither free nor fair, and that interference in the most rudimentary exercise in political participation is commonplace. This has exacerbated a sense that somehow young people do not exist in a full enough capacity as citizens to expect meaningful participation or recognition in the electoral process. In a climate of such heightened tensions, it is indeed risky to imply that young people are petulant or reckless when they refuse to fall in line behind Hillary Clinton.


http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/35891-like-it-or-not-the-democratic-party-now-must-answer-to-millennials
121 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Like It or Not, the Democratic Party Now Must Answer to Millennials (Original Post) FreakinDJ Jun 2016 OP
Let's see if they vote this Fall instead of staying home and passively support Trump. nt onehandle Jun 2016 #1
Who do they have to vote for? HooptieWagon Jun 2016 #7
Anyone who doesn't vote for Hillary this Fall is voting for Trump. onehandle Jun 2016 #17
"Vote for my candidate or it will be your fault we get an orange Nazi in office!" BlueStater Jun 2016 #31
fault is unimportant...millennial will live with the result of their apathy for years and years. Demsrule86 Jun 2016 #100
I've got news for you. BlueStater Jun 2016 #111
I got news for you saying Hillary is not a better choice than Trump (dumbest candidate) Demsrule86 Jun 2016 #114
You're putting words in my mouth. BlueStater Jun 2016 #118
She is better ... I consider it a fact. Demsrule86 Jun 2016 #119
Yes, the election is set. The outcome is the real question. floriduck Jun 2016 #34
HooptieWagon said "For". HooptieWagon didn't say "Against". (nt) w4rma Jun 2016 #40
Only a vote for Trump is a vote for Trump Scootaloo Jun 2016 #52
the young I know really dislike Hill. They are leaning Libertarian, sadly swhisper1 Jun 2016 #79
The seven 'youngs' in my office didn't vote in the primary and care little about politics. nt onehandle Jun 2016 #85
Promting libertarians is not allowed even before GE is declared. Demsrule86 Jun 2016 #115
Anyone who is a (real) Democrat rock Jun 2016 #91
Why would they care whether Trump or Clinton wins? What is Clinton going to do for them? w4rma Jun 2016 #16
So you guys think FreakinDJ is WRONG? Hortensis Jun 2016 #42
How about: Clintonite voters, who are mostly over 65, will be dead and millennials will be alive? w4rma Jun 2016 #67
Not just under the bus--in the grave? Lol. Hortensis Jun 2016 #71
You think that the millennials will die before the over 65+ retirees? I think you are wrong. (nt) w4rma Jun 2016 #72
Boomers know Hillary too well to vote for her. swhisper1 Jun 2016 #82
hahahahahahaha Evergreen Emerald Jun 2016 #116
that was funny, too much coffee. I edited swhisper1 Jun 2016 #117
?? Swhisper, boomers are Hillary's strongest age group. Hortensis Jun 2016 #121
The 18-29 crowd lancer78 Jun 2016 #120
Links to HRC insulting Millennials? emulatorloo Jun 2016 #49
'back to the issues' HumanityExperiment Jun 2016 #53
w4rma asserted HRC insulted millenials as a group. I asked for links to support that claim. emulatorloo Jun 2016 #55
Clinton Campaign Has Astounding Record Of Smugness Towards Young Voters w4rma Jun 2016 #65
Sorry, slanted op-Ed misinterpretations don't count. emulatorloo Jun 2016 #70
Full of quotes directly from the Clintons. But, you conveniently ignored those direct quotes. (nt) w4rma Jun 2016 #73
I don't care for out-of-context quotes 'massaged' in op-eds written by obvious partisans emulatorloo Jun 2016 #74
"I don't care." about other people's opinions, says you. (nt) w4rma Jun 2016 #75
Stop putting words in my mouth. emulatorloo Jun 2016 #78
I tried to post only the quotes from the article, but the article is more than 50% quotes. w4rma Jun 2016 #80
You mean wait until after the election to start planning outreach? Orsino Jun 2016 #83
Or actively support someone else. LWolf Jun 2016 #90
Thats the problem booley Jun 2016 #112
"Answer to"????? There are more voters over the age of 55 than there are millennials tonyt53 Jun 2016 #2
I absolutely would have supported Bernie when I was 18 auntpurl Jun 2016 #6
Age doesn't always bring maturity, but it certainly brings older age. pangaia Jun 2016 #19
When I was 18, I didn't know the first thing about economics. auntpurl Jun 2016 #22
Same here. tonyt53 Jun 2016 #25
When I was 18, I didn't know the first thing about economics. pangaia Jun 2016 #28
I don't understand the "economics" of Clintons plan. Matt_R Jun 2016 #108
You would be Wrong in that assesment FreakinDJ Jun 2016 #8
Uh, I said "voters". Big difference. tonyt53 Jun 2016 #13
The over 55 group includes more than just the Boomers. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #47
And not all millennials are in their teens and twenties. bravenak Jun 2016 #93
The largest voting block is millenials pinebox Jun 2016 #61
If they registered and voted. Two really big issues for that group. tonyt53 Jun 2016 #77
There are 69 million baby boomers.... ThinkCritically Jun 2016 #63
Damn 35 year old millennials need to get off my lawn. n/t Matt_R Jun 2016 #109
Answer to. Orsino Jun 2016 #84
I think you have that turned around a bit LoverOfLiberty Jun 2016 #3
Yes - that worked out so well in the 2014 Midterms FreakinDJ Jun 2016 #9
I mean by running for office LoverOfLiberty Jun 2016 #27
Perhaps, you misread that ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #48
I mean, if they'd voted, we WOULD be answering to them! auntpurl Jun 2016 #4
... LexVegas Jun 2016 #5
I'm 59 and I am totally fine with answering to millenials TexasBushwhacker Jun 2016 #10
Nothin says "Join Me" like Primary Voter Supression FreakinDJ Jun 2016 #12
Maybe they will get that fixed TexasBushwhacker Jun 2016 #14
When? Pastiche423 Jun 2016 #92
LOL ... YOU don't register to vote in the Democratic Primary ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #50
They could take some responsibility and actually register as Democrats. LonePirate Jun 2016 #59
How about giving people a reason to vote for democrats... ThinkCritically Jun 2016 #86
I would think Democratic policy positions would be sufficient for rational people. LonePirate Jun 2016 #88
If they want to vote in Democratic primaries they presumably support Democratic policies. Lord Magus Jun 2016 #95
There are plenty of millennials who were always for Clinton frazzled Jun 2016 #11
I think there are plenty of anti-Hillary GOP zealots too TexasBushwhacker Jun 2016 #20
I love obnoxious "victim" posts like this Ned_Devine Jun 2016 #106
Millennials need to get out of their "safe space" and go get a job snooper2 Jun 2016 #15
great you hiring? DonCoquixote Jun 2016 #57
Are you a republican? ThinkCritically Jun 2016 #64
Im working over 50 hours this week. Fuck off. ButterflyBlood Jun 2016 #96
+1 tallahasseedem Jun 2016 #102
I remember pretty much the same arguments in the 1960s. MineralMan Jun 2016 #18
I also remember the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, the End of Vietnam War FreakinDJ Jun 2016 #21
Yes, they did, and so will the millennials. MineralMan Jun 2016 #24
+1 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #56
Yep. You nailed it. That's why we can't criticize this up and coming group. floriduck Jun 2016 #39
You're correct. MineralMan Jun 2016 #43
Millenials must be realistic. Sanders was making them promises that he knew Congress would Trust Buster Jun 2016 #23
why does that sound familiar booley Jun 2016 #113
Millennials lost the election, and it is time they come to grips with that Tarc Jun 2016 #26
Milennials should vote. Till they do, no one has to answer to them about anything. Squinch Jun 2016 #29
Yup. La Lioness Priyanka Jun 2016 #30
If not for milennials, President Romney would be running for his second term right now. BlueStater Jun 2016 #32
Young people don't come out to vote jzodda Jun 2016 #33
neat how a voter in 1980 who was 28 becomes a voter aged 60 in 2012. Matt_R Jun 2016 #110
put your cell phone down and we can talk... stonecutter357 Jun 2016 #35
not really Fresh_Start Jun 2016 #36
The party must answer to people that don't vote? workinclasszero Jun 2016 #37
I remember back in the day that the Democratic Party "Must Answer to" Generation X justiceischeap Jun 2016 #38
It's one of their new memes CorkySt.Clair Jun 2016 #51
There is no free stuff Trajan Jun 2016 #54
If you think the majority of college and high school age students are hearing anything beyond justiceischeap Jun 2016 #58
It doesn't matter what they think when they hear you lie about it Trajan Jun 2016 #87
The demographic will grow older and change, and change quickly ismnotwasm Jun 2016 #41
Well... Else You Are Mad Jun 2016 #44
Some in every single generation before you has babbled the exact same "woe is us" kind of dribble Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #69
Sure. Else You Are Mad Jun 2016 #81
Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #45
Closed primaries will nip their influence in the bud. NorthCarolina Jun 2016 #46
Only if they ever decide to become *voting* members of the Democratic party. NurseJackie Jun 2016 #60
2012 exit poll: ButterflyBlood Jun 2016 #97
If they could bother themselves to VOTE they would be a constituency Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #62
Kick rec Teamster Jeff Jun 2016 #66
Lol why should one voter treestar Jun 2016 #68
"Like it or not"? As if only Sanders can speak the 'lingo'? randome Jun 2016 #76
I predict this will be another failed prediction of the Sanders left wyldwolf Jun 2016 #89
Like every other generation, the idealism of youth will change as they find employment and become eastwestdem Jun 2016 #94
One thing revolutionaries often overlook is that people's political views tend to shift as they age anigbrowl Jun 2016 #98
No we don't have to answer to anyone... Demsrule86 Jun 2016 #99
Yeah, Sanders' most empassioned supporters and even they couldn't get him within a NY mile of Number23 Jun 2016 #101
I have a feeling many at DU will just tell them to shut up and go to their rooms. valerief Jun 2016 #103
Millennials need to vote. Lil Missy Jun 2016 #104
Voter participation rates for California in 2014 (by age): Tal Vez Jun 2016 #105
FreakinDJ—I've written it numerous times.… CobaltBlue Jun 2016 #107
 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
7. Who do they have to vote for?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:26 AM
Jun 2016

Why the hell would they vote for the status quo or incrementalism? If they supported Third Way neoliberalism they'd already be registered Democrats. They've only registered as Democrats to vote for Sanders in the primaries....otherwise there's no reason to have party loyalty.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
17. Anyone who doesn't vote for Hillary this Fall is voting for Trump.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:32 AM
Jun 2016

They might as well write his Inauguration Committee a check.

Sanders is welcome to try to influence the Party at the DNC, but the election is set.

BlueStater

(7,596 posts)
31. "Vote for my candidate or it will be your fault we get an orange Nazi in office!"
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:45 AM
Jun 2016

Gee, how inspiring.

BlueStater

(7,596 posts)
111. I've got news for you.
Fri Jun 17, 2016, 12:51 AM
Jun 2016

Threatening people with a Trump presidency doesn't make Hillary Rodham Clinton a better, more appealing candidate. His faults are not her assets.

Demsrule86

(68,543 posts)
114. I got news for you saying Hillary is not a better choice than Trump (dumbest candidate)
Fri Jun 17, 2016, 09:30 AM
Jun 2016

helps Trump.

BlueStater

(7,596 posts)
118. You're putting words in my mouth.
Fri Jun 17, 2016, 05:32 PM
Jun 2016

I never said that Hillary Clinton wasn't better than Trump. You honestly think that's a compliment? Being better than Trump is such a low bar to cross that it's not even worth mentioning. Again, you're going to have to do A LOT better than "she's better than the racist, orange-skinned ignoramus" as a reason as to why anybody should be inspired to vote for her.

Demsrule86

(68,543 posts)
119. She is better ... I consider it a fact.
Fri Jun 17, 2016, 07:20 PM
Jun 2016

She is the Democratic nominee and the only thing that stands between us and Trump.

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
52. Only a vote for Trump is a vote for Trump
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:33 AM
Jun 2016

Adding zero to a number does not increase that number's value. Subtracting zero from a number does not decrease its value.

Come on. Western mathematics has had the concept of nil since the 11th century.

 

swhisper1

(851 posts)
79. the young I know really dislike Hill. They are leaning Libertarian, sadly
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:37 PM
Jun 2016

Bernie was their hope, now dashed,, but the primary brought up her dark history and she has not shown good faith toward their problems. They do not place gender above common sense

rock

(13,218 posts)
91. Anyone who is a (real) Democrat
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:56 PM
Jun 2016

Does not say, "Convince me to vote for the Democratic candidate." I should add: Your the one that has to decide whom to vote for; I don't know what your values and aspirations are, so I have no way of amking that decision for you.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
16. Why would they care whether Trump or Clinton wins? What is Clinton going to do for them?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:32 AM
Jun 2016

She's insulted them for her entire campaign and has pissed on all of the policy proposals that they want.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
42. So you guys think FreakinDJ is WRONG?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:59 AM
Jun 2016

After all, the only people either party ever "answers to" are those who vote. No vote, no power. And, frankly, politically, the strongest distinguishing characteristic of millennials is unfortunately their very low rate of turnout to the polls. Let's hope this November is different.

Btw, no one here speaks for anyone else, of course. Your perception of insults that did not occur would be shared only by those who actively look for things to be insulted about, noisy but very small and unfortunate groups, not to "millennials," who are overall pretty happy and positive about the future.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
67. How about: Clintonite voters, who are mostly over 65, will be dead and millennials will be alive?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:13 PM
Jun 2016

And on that note, it's no wonder that Clinton voters don't care about wages, salaries and jobs. They're mostly retirees who live off Social Security and their savings.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
71. Not just under the bus--in the grave? Lol.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:22 PM
Jun 2016

Don't hold your breath waiting see who drops dead first, W4rma.

Seriously, even if too much wishful thinking has lead to a happy picture where all who disagree with you would be dead in 20-40 years or so, isn't that kind of a long time? Even if the real number is more like 40-60 years? People live a long time now, and probably will be living longer in future after all.

We're not discussing all the millennials who voted for Hillary in this discussion, of course. Poor things. Some will become state legislators, congressmen and senators, presidents, judges, justices, etc., while they're still in their middle years, but have you happened to notice the ages of our candidates this year? Literally hundreds, not just the ones fighting over who gets to be Commander in Chief, in their 60s and 70s.



 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
72. You think that the millennials will die before the over 65+ retirees? I think you are wrong. (nt)
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:25 PM
Jun 2016
 

swhisper1

(851 posts)
82. Boomers know Hillary too well to vote for her.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:42 PM
Jun 2016

Last edited Fri Jun 17, 2016, 01:11 PM - Edit history (1)

They will go downticket and a few will go lesser. Boomers know better than to trust the DNC, they were around when the party meant something

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
121. ?? Swhisper, boomers are Hillary's strongest age group.
Sat Jun 18, 2016, 04:29 AM
Jun 2016

Hillary also currently has the popular vote by over 3,775,000 more than her opponent, in part because that general age range votes in stronger numbers than most others.

 

HumanityExperiment

(1,442 posts)
53. 'back to the issues'
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:35 AM
Jun 2016


depends on how one defines 'insulting', HRC's record on engaging folks with issues directly hasn't been good...

emulatorloo

(44,113 posts)
55. w4rma asserted HRC insulted millenials as a group. I asked for links to support that claim.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:48 AM
Jun 2016

Your post is a deflection.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
65. Clinton Campaign Has Astounding Record Of Smugness Towards Young Voters
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:11 PM
Jun 2016

“I feel sorry for the young people who believe” the lies Sanders is telling them about money accepted from executives and lobbyists tied to the fossil fuel industry. "

Young people have consistently been a source of frustration and struggle for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Along with her husband, Bill Clinton, her campaign has expressed a condescending view of millennials for supporting Bernie Sanders instead of her.

The tone of comments about young people supporting Sanders is striking, given the fact that Clinton had a similar problem winning over young people when she ran against President Barack Obama in 2008. Then, Clinton and her campaign largely refrained from lecturing or talking down to young people. That is not the case in the 2016 presidential election.

With the primary race entering its final phase, which includes states where Sanders could do very well, the smug attitude of the Clinton campaign could continue to inspire young people to redouble their efforts and work all that much harder for a contested convention. Or, it could solidify young people’s understandable decision to vote for a third party candidate or not vote at all in the general election.

In early April, Hillary Clinton declared, “I feel sorry for the young people who believe” the lies Sanders is telling them about money accepted from executives and lobbyists tied to the fossil fuel industry. Young people “don’t do their own research.” Her comment was in response to a young Greenpeace activist, whose question actually was based in facts.

Bill Clinton joked on April 15 that young Sanders supporters would “shoot every third person on Wall Street” if Sanders was elected. Of course, if anyone finds this funny, it is because they believe Sanders has left-wing supporters who would only be satisfied with Wall Street reform that involved murdering corporate executives responsible for fraud and other forms of corruption.

The former president dismissed young Sanders supporters while speaking at an event sponsored by EMILY’s List, a supporter of the Clinton campaign. “I can’t get too upset when I see how righteous all these young people are today. I think, we were probably pretty sanctimonious, too.”

On April 6, after losing the Wisconsin primary, Hillary Clinton acted as if young people supporting Sanders were going through some kind of adolescent phase. “Look, I think it’s exciting to be, in effect, protesting,” she said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I remember I did that a long time ago when I was in my twenties, and I totally get the attraction of this.”

http://www.mintpressnews.com/clinton-campaign-astounding-record-smugness-towards-young-voters/216086/

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
73. Full of quotes directly from the Clintons. But, you conveniently ignored those direct quotes. (nt)
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:25 PM
Jun 2016

emulatorloo

(44,113 posts)
74. I don't care for out-of-context quotes 'massaged' in op-eds written by obvious partisans
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:29 PM
Jun 2016

Have a great day.

 

w4rma

(31,700 posts)
80. I tried to post only the quotes from the article, but the article is more than 50% quotes.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:37 PM
Jun 2016

And the editorializing is rather thin, only really providing minimal context. So, basically you asked for proof and I provided it. Then you moved the goal posts, but I've already met your new requirements in the new goalpost placement.

Orsino

(37,428 posts)
83. You mean wait until after the election to start planning outreach?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 02:47 PM
Jun 2016

Something bothers me about that plan, but I'm not sure what.

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
90. Or actively support someone else.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:39 PM
Jun 2016

No matter how many times it is repeated, the fact is that voters have other choices. They can actively campaign and vote without doing so for the neoliberals OR neofascists.

I expect they will be doing so.

booley

(3,855 posts)
112. Thats the problem
Fri Jun 17, 2016, 01:01 AM
Jun 2016

Instead of giving these kids a reason to vote FOR Democrats, all the party can do is say "the GOP is worse"

Basically admitting that if not for the GOP being awful there would be no reason to vote Democrat.

You can't push people down and then be amazed that they are angry and disillusioned

 

tonyt53

(5,737 posts)
2. "Answer to"????? There are more voters over the age of 55 than there are millennials
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:23 AM
Jun 2016

I too was once under the age of 25. I was in the first 18 y/o that got to vote. I was in that naive bunch that worked to get McGovern nominated (and yes, the comparison with Sanders is strong). I too was in that group that learned that ideology has a hard time lining up with reality. Answer to? In less than four years, most millennials will become the new yuppies. You know, those entitled white people that sprouted up when Reagan was prez. I think I'll start calling these new one "guppies". The same scenario is setting up. Petulant? No, just filled with entitlement.

auntpurl

(4,311 posts)
6. I absolutely would have supported Bernie when I was 18
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:26 AM
Jun 2016

Now at 40-*mumble*, I support Hillary. People mature.

auntpurl

(4,311 posts)
22. When I was 18, I didn't know the first thing about economics.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:36 AM
Jun 2016

Now I do. Ergo, I support Hillary.

Just MHO.

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
28. When I was 18, I didn't know the first thing about economics.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:41 AM
Jun 2016

Now I do. Ergo, I support Bernie.

Economics for all, not just the rich.

Just MNSHO.

Matt_R

(456 posts)
108. I don't understand the "economics" of Clintons plan.
Thu Jun 16, 2016, 10:13 PM
Jun 2016

can you explain it to me like I'm an adult? Or possible starting wars in foreign lands, giving her wall st. buddies a free pass, shredding the social safety net. Maybe those things will cost us more than what Sanders proposed?

 

FreakinDJ

(17,644 posts)
8. You would be Wrong in that assesment
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:26 AM
Jun 2016
Demographics in the United States[edit]

William Strauss and Neil Howe projected in their 1991 book Generations that the U.S. Millennial population would be 76 million.[55] Later[when?] Neil Howe revised the number to over 95 million people (in the U.S.). As of 2012, it was estimated that there were approximately 80 million U.S. Millennials.[56] The estimated number of the U.S. Millennials in 2015 is 83.1 million people.[57] In 2016, Pew Research found that Millennials surpassed Baby Boomers to become the largest living generation in the U.S, by analyzing 2015 U.S Census data they found there were 75.4 million Millennials compared to 74.9 million Baby Boomers.[58][59]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennials
 

bravenak

(34,648 posts)
93. And not all millennials are in their teens and twenties.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 08:48 PM
Jun 2016

I am a millennial in my thirties and I vote even in off year elections and ballot measures. Because I am in my thirties and now know how important actually showing up is. I did not vote regularly until my mid to late twenties. Because I'm a millennial and I had shit to do and it was fun.

People seem to think all millennials are, like, white college students. I wish they'd realize that we run the spectrum of colors and many of us are adults with kids. My cousin is a millennial and her kid is one too. She voted Hillary and he wanted Bernie. She showed up to caucus. He ate cereal on his bed and played Borderlands 2.

She will make it to the polls (she gets there and I can see her signature right under my name on the roster). I think he will sit on his bed eating something again.

 

ThinkCritically

(241 posts)
63. There are 69 million baby boomers....
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 12:50 PM
Jun 2016

and 69 million millennials. There will be more millennials in 4 years than baby boomers. You need to remember, Millennials are 35 and younger. Not just 18 year olds.

Orsino

(37,428 posts)
84. Answer to.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 02:52 PM
Jun 2016

The thing about youths is that they tend grow into adults and then into the elderly. How late in their lives do we wait to start addressing their needs and building loyalty?

We don't have to emulate the Republican non-strategies of playing hippity-hop music, flashing skateboard imagery and calling it outreach. We could be winning the youngsters' votes this year rather than in thirty more.

LoverOfLiberty

(1,438 posts)
3. I think you have that turned around a bit
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:23 AM
Jun 2016

Millennials need to work within the party itself to bring about the change that they want.

LoverOfLiberty

(1,438 posts)
27. I mean by running for office
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:41 AM
Jun 2016

Starting with local contests and working their way up to state and federal offices.

And also by supporting those that do.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
48. Perhaps, you misread that ...
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:24 AM
Jun 2016

the poster said:

Millennials need to work within the party itself to bring about the change that they want.


Did Millennials join the Party in significant numbers and increase volunteer efforts? Have they ever?

TexasBushwhacker

(20,172 posts)
10. I'm 59 and I am totally fine with answering to millenials
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:28 AM
Jun 2016

They are our future. I hope they have the good sense to learn from the older generation's mistakes.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
50. LOL ... YOU don't register to vote in the Democratic Primary ...
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:27 AM
Jun 2016

and someone suppressed your vote?

I can't think of a better exemplar for why some are not taken seriously.

 

ThinkCritically

(241 posts)
86. How about giving people a reason to vote for democrats...
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 02:53 PM
Jun 2016

instead of just assuming they should vote for dems no matter what.

Lord Magus

(1,999 posts)
95. If they want to vote in Democratic primaries they presumably support Democratic policies.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 09:11 PM
Jun 2016

That ought to be more than enough reason to register as a Democrat.

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
11. There are plenty of millennials who were always for Clinton
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:29 AM
Jun 2016

and masses more who will willingly, or even grudgingly, move in that direction. The subset of dead-enders will be small and inconsequential. An article from yesterday's NYT explains why young "Hillary Supporters Can Now ‘Go Public.’"

They have names like “Wise Women for Clinton,” “Cool People for Hillary,” “Bros 4 Hillary — #GiveEmHill” and one that rhymes with witch.

Some are small, with just a couple of hundred members, while others number into the thousands. All of them began as a “secret” — or, as secret as one can be with an invite-only Facebook group.

...

For most of 2016, to be a vocal supporter of Mrs. Clinton — in certain circles of Bernie Sanders-supporting progressives, anyway — was to be the square in the Lacoste shirt cast to the corner of the hipster prom.

“I was yelled at when I wore my Hillary shirt to a grocery store in West Hollywood, possibly the most ‘accepting’ neighborhood in the whole world,” said Kate Hess, a 38-year-old producer in Los Angeles.

...

And if you were young and for Hillary? Forget about it.

“I’m treated like a traitor to my generation,” said 22-year-old Patrick Ross, a playwright in Philadelphia.

And those were just the people you knew in real life. Online, the vitriol was worse. Moderating comments on a single Facebook post was like “a master class in nonviolent communication,” said Lori White, 33, a writer at Upworthy and a founder of “Cool People for Hillary.”

Strangers commented on your feed. Trolls spammed your wall with threats, called you “a warmonger, a corporate whore,” and many terms reserved for female supporters that were far worse, said Laura Bogart, a writer in Baltimore.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/16/fashion/closet-hillary-clinton-supporters-facebook-secret-groups.html?ref=politics&_r=0


Clinton supporters have been relatively quiet, mostly because they have not wanted to endure the name-calling and ostracizing of the Sanders zealots. They are now coming out of the closet, and they will bring along many others. I'm not concerned at all about millennials.

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts)
57. great you hiring?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:49 AM
Jun 2016

there can be several hundred Millenials fighting for every job you offer, or for every job that you say is out there.

Remember when the GOP just told the Democrats to get a job? Jobs that were NOT there to be gotten?

MineralMan

(146,286 posts)
18. I remember pretty much the same arguments in the 1960s.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:33 AM
Jun 2016

Then, it was the baby boomers who weren't having attention paid to them. They were marching in the street, getting drafted to fight in an unjust war, protesting that war, helping with the civil rights protests, working on women's rights issues and doing many other things, including demanding that the Democratic Party pay attention to them. Often, they stayed away from the polls, believing that their votes would make no difference.

Now, those boomers are our leaders, just as their parents and grandparents were the leaders in the 60s and 70s. Same story, same results, really. Boomers, millennials...two large generations dissatisfied with things as they were and are. Both ignored by those in power. And so it goes, and has gone.

 

FreakinDJ

(17,644 posts)
21. I also remember the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, the End of Vietnam War
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:36 AM
Jun 2016

and the 68 convention

To think they had no effect would be a Yuuge Mistake

They shaped America ...

It was like America lost her virginity

MineralMan

(146,286 posts)
24. Yes, they did, and so will the millennials.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:40 AM
Jun 2016

The boomer generation shaped America, over time, and now they're running it. The millennials will do the same, over time, and then they'll be running it. Once they figure out that they can actually vote people into office by, you know, voting, things will begin to shift. That's what happened, finally, in the late 60s and into the 70s. Finally.

There are fewer differences than you think between those two generations and their entry into political power. Far fewer, apparently, than you think.

 

Trust Buster

(7,299 posts)
23. Millenials must be realistic. Sanders was making them promises that he knew Congress would
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:39 AM
Jun 2016

ignore. The President's proposal for two free years of community college and Elizabeth Warren's proposal to lower student loan interest rates are much more realistic proposals. Sanders created the Millenial confusion. Sanders did a disservice to Millenials by raising their expectations beyond anything that political reality could support. Hillary didn't create this problem.

booley

(3,855 posts)
113. why does that sound familiar
Fri Jun 17, 2016, 01:22 AM
Jun 2016

Oh yeah.. Now I remember

Because it's the same attack Clinton leveled against Obama in 2008.

"'Let's just get everybody together. Let's get unified. The sky will open. The light will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing, and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect.”

“You are not going to wave a magic wand and have the special interests disappear,"

Hillary Clinton 2008

http://inthesetimes.com/article/18834/hillary-clinton-campaign-bernie-sanders-president-obama-attacks

Tarc

(10,476 posts)
26. Millennials lost the election, and it is time they come to grips with that
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:40 AM
Jun 2016

2nd-place isn't the co-winner.

BlueStater

(7,596 posts)
32. If not for milennials, President Romney would be running for his second term right now.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:47 AM
Jun 2016

You at least owe them that much.

jzodda

(2,124 posts)
33. Young people don't come out to vote
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:49 AM
Jun 2016

Now I am talking general elections. Look at the data, they just don't turnout on election day.

By the time they do come out in larger numbers they are not so young any more.

So no they (the party) don't have to answer to them till they actually come out and vote some November because in 2012, 2008, 2000, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1984 and beyond they just haven't been there.

I left out 2004 because the youth vote was pretty good that time around.

Fresh_Start

(11,330 posts)
36. not really
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:52 AM
Jun 2016

the only way anyone has to answer to the millenials is if the millenials participate in the process.
Otherwise, they are completely ignorable.

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
38. I remember back in the day that the Democratic Party "Must Answer to" Generation X
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:54 AM
Jun 2016

This "must answer to" meme has been going on for as long as politics has been around. But really, what all political parties must answer to is the people. And "we the people" make up a wide range of political ideals and beliefs. But mostly, the millennials have the same issue that generation x did... they don't friggin' vote. As we've seen, they go to rallies like a boss, 'cause "Yay, party!" but when it comes down to actually voting, they disappear. So, why, oh why must anyone answer to people that are notorious for not actually participating in the political process?

As a Clinton supporter I can say with my big girl panties pulled way up, that I appreciate many of Sanders' stances and I think there needs to be reform in our political process, and wow, wouldn't free stuff be great (even though I never got any--see how that works?) but saying these things and actually having a solid plan that will get them done are two wholly different things.

How quickly would the millennials turn on Sanders when he wasn't able to accomplish what he set out to do? How many of the millennials would have the patience it actually takes to get any real change from Washington? It took almost 50 years from the Stonewall Riots for the LGBTQ community to make marriage equality a reality...we still don't have ENDA or a protected status, yet we fight on knowing that's the only way to get anything done. How many of those millennials are able to wait years for any real change to occur?

 

CorkySt.Clair

(1,507 posts)
51. It's one of their new memes
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:30 AM
Jun 2016

The others are:

Trump will be replaced by someone who can beat Hillary.

Polls showing Hillary ahead are meaningless.

I'm sure there will be more.

 

Trajan

(19,089 posts)
54. There is no free stuff
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:43 AM
Jun 2016

It's bought and paid for by us taxpayers ...

We CHOOSE to pay taxes and spend them in things like college tuition ... And not on oil industry subsidies and the like ... There is nothing free about it, but it certainly is a good thing to provide public education for our citizens ....

Free stuff ...sheesh .. Isn't that what Hannity says?

Gone

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
58. If you think the majority of college and high school age students are hearing anything beyond
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 12:23 PM
Jun 2016

"free college" you're fooling yourself.

 

Trajan

(19,089 posts)
87. It doesn't matter what they think when they hear you lie about it
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 02:57 PM
Jun 2016

Their interpretation is, 'I'm going to college'

Your interpretation is, 'You can't go college unless you become indebted for half your life to Hillary's Corporate Bankers friends who don't want to lose their sweetheart deal of a cash cow'

I think that's how it goes ...

The people who care about such things know that pubic education is a choice we make for the taxes we already pay ....

Those people also know that the whole 'free stuff' canard is a right wing meme repeated by you, Hillary, and her other less than savory supporters ...

We CHOOSE to provide education to all ALL citizens in order to improve society as a whole ...


ismnotwasm

(41,975 posts)
41. The demographic will grow older and change, and change quickly
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:57 AM
Jun 2016

But I agree we need to engage the youth vote--no matter what the current nickname--in the political process, encourage them not just to vote, but to be involved.

Else You Are Mad

(3,040 posts)
44. Well...
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:03 AM
Jun 2016

The Baby Boomers ruined the economy and opportunities for us millennials, I would love for them to have to answer to the millennials. But, the mindset of most of the baby Boomers is: "I got mine so who cares about other generations" and that is why they will not listen to the millennials. Hillary Clinton perfectly embodies the above baby boomer mindset.

Maru Kitteh

(28,339 posts)
69. Some in every single generation before you has babbled the exact same "woe is us" kind of dribble
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:15 PM
Jun 2016

Mine included. (not a boomer)

Pooooooor us! The generation(s) before us ruined the whole world and now we have to clean it up. We can't get everything we want the minute after we step into the adult world and it's ALL THEIR FAULT! Not fair!

You will find your generation is not truly much different than those that came before it. Most generalizations are media-driven and tend to hold up poorly under methodical scrutiny. We all have our admirable points, and we all have traits that need some improvement.

Millennials will come into their own, transforming over time from a marketing target for trends and fads into a more stable and settled group that will become a political constituency not just IF they vote but also if they vote as a bloc. The former is very likely, the latter, history shows, is not likely at all.

Else You Are Mad

(3,040 posts)
81. Sure.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:41 PM
Jun 2016

Well, when I stepped into the real world, I had a great job -- but I also have to pay insane amounts of student loans. Others are not so lucky and there are no jobs for those. That wasn't the fault of the ww2/greatest generation or the silent generation or Gen. X that was solely on the shoulders of the Baby Boomers. They were the greed generation. See, e.g., the 70s and 80s.

This isn't generational jealousy, they actually and intentionally put their foot on the throat of the economy for their own greed.

The millennials will vote en blac this election -- and from here on out -- it just remains to be seen which party they will vote for. I hope it is for the Democrats, but that is not guaranteed. As frightening as it is, I see this election as the possible rise of the third parties this election.

Trump scares me & I have been a life long democrat so I do not want to see that -- I just can see the green party and the Libertarians both hitting the 15% mark.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
45. Well ...
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:12 AM
Jun 2016
They are the most incarcerated generation in history (over 50 percent of people incarcerated in state prisons are between the ages of 20 and 30)


I challenge anyone to point to a era where the 50% of the people incarcerated in state prisons were not between 20 and 30 years old.
 

NorthCarolina

(11,197 posts)
46. Closed primaries will nip their influence in the bud.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:14 AM
Jun 2016

At least for a while. Watch for the push for closed primaries coming to a State Democratic Party establishment near you SOON!

ButterflyBlood

(12,644 posts)
97. 2012 exit poll:
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:46 PM
Jun 2016

18-29: 19% of voters
60% Obama
37% Romney
30-44: 27% of voters
52% Obama
45% Romney
45-64: 38% of voters
47% Obama
51% Romney
65 and older: 16% of voters
44% Obama
56% Romney

We're the reason President Romney isn't running for reelection right now, ungrateful or not.

Maru Kitteh

(28,339 posts)
62. If they could bother themselves to VOTE they would be a constituency
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 12:49 PM
Jun 2016

worth more consideration but THEY DON'T.

They do love a good rally though.

Teamster Jeff

(1,598 posts)
66. Kick rec
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:12 PM
Jun 2016

Some of these posts are unreal. If the GOP wasn't such a clusterfuck they could get some of these millennial voters.

If the people here represent the Dem party these young voters are gone. Third Party or maybe check out completely an let this mother burn.

 

randome

(34,845 posts)
76. "Like it or not"? As if only Sanders can speak the 'lingo'?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 01:32 PM
Jun 2016
No one in the Democratic Party is dissing the millennials! But Progressives refusing to fall in line with the nominee of the Democratic Party is the definition of petulant and reckless! They'd rather do nothing than help out!

And the old 'voter suppression' tactic, I see. Lackluster response? How about lackluster evidence? Millennials would have won the election if only {fill in the blank}.

 

eastwestdem

(1,220 posts)
94. Like every other generation, the idealism of youth will change as they find employment and become
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 08:49 PM
Jun 2016

functioning members of society.

 

anigbrowl

(13,889 posts)
98. One thing revolutionaries often overlook is that people's political views tend to shift as they age
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:06 PM
Jun 2016

Today's millenials will still cherish their ideals in 20+ years' time, but experience is a hard teacher.

Demsrule86

(68,543 posts)
99. No we don't have to answer to anyone...
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:27 PM
Jun 2016

There was no voter suppression other than the usual Gop sort which Bernie folks don't care about...because the GOP is much better than Dems right? All of you are full of BS...and just mad because your candidate could not win a primary...millions of votes were ot stolen...Bernie lost...as for millennials they will be just fine...none of you folks speak for them.

Number23

(24,544 posts)
101. Yeah, Sanders' most empassioned supporters and even they couldn't get him within a NY mile of
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:29 PM
Jun 2016

the White House. Who's supposed to answer to who, now??

valerief

(53,235 posts)
103. I have a feeling many at DU will just tell them to shut up and go to their rooms.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:30 PM
Jun 2016

Cuz that's what I've been seeing.

 

CobaltBlue

(1,122 posts)
107. FreakinDJ—I've written it numerous times.…
Thu Jun 16, 2016, 08:46 AM
Jun 2016

In the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries, Bernie Sanders carried the 17 to 29 voters with at least 70 percent of their vote nationwide. The 18 to 29 general-election voters are the first to carry Democratic.

There would have to be a realigning of the Democratic Party (and one would come with the Republican Party) for this Democratic Party to be able to get elected to the presidency of the United States a nominee who performs better with 65+ voters (the first to carry Republican) than 18 to 29 (again, the first to carry Democratic).

If Hillary Clinton wins the 2016 presidential election, a big part of that victory will have come from carrying sufficient numbers of those who preferred the nomination be won by Bernie Sanders.

Today is June 16.

Give this more time.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»Like It or Not, the Democ...