A Letter to Millennials
Tevya is at the Table
Good Morning, Breakfastpoppers. Today is Monday, February 22, 2016. Our wise friend, Wasp Tevya, is at the breakfast table this morning. He is scratching his head over the love affair between Bernie Sanders and the Millennials. Tevya is bringing us loads of bagels this morning with every sort of topping imaginable. Please join us for breakfast. Tevya has a letter he prepared, directed to all the Millennials who love the idea of a Socialist government. Enjoy breakfast with Tevya and listen to his message,
Do the Research
Dear Millennials,
It is apparent that a formidable number of you are wild about Bernie. Your support is interesting and frightening all at once. Sanders is an avowed Socialist. Your enthusiasm must mean that living under a Socialist regime sounds appealing. I wonder, did you do the research? Have any of you taken the time to review what Socialism actually is? I am going to give all of you the benefit of the doubt and say that you didn't look into it and you are just "feeling the Bern." Let me start off by giving you the meaning of "socialism." It is a social system in which the government owns and controls the means of production. Do you grasp what I just said? This government, which hardly does anything right would, under Bernie's plan, own and control the means of production. No more freedom for the person who has a brilliant idea, makes it happen, forms a great company, hires people and helps it to grow. Instead, the government would decide important matters, see to it that our wealth is distributed equally and use other people's money to give people like you free education and a free ride. You probably have the time to hit the books and find out what Sanders is really talking about. Instead of sleeping till noon in Mom and Dad's basement, take yourself to the library and find out more about our country and what life here would be like if a Socialist were elected to the highest office in the land.
Your Future
Since most of you can't really define Socialism, your support of it is very sad. Is it possible that you all go deaf, dumb and blind once you hear the words, free college? What could possibly matter after that? Bernie makes it sound like life under Socialism will bring forth the basic goodness in people. The Big Government will give you a happy life. Have any of you stopped to think of where the money for all this free stuff is going to come from? Surprise, Millennials, it is going to come from your Mom and Dad, your Grandma and Grandpa and from you. Oh sure, the rich will pay too, but you will be very disappointed to hear that the rich alone can't support you and your pals. You will also be saddened to learn that eventually your life will come tumbling down when your benevolent government runs out of other people's money.
Learn By Example
So dear Millennials, it is time to look at a few hard facts. Better yet, look at what is happening in Venezuela. Venezuela is a Socialist country. President Nicolas Maduro appeared on television for five long hours droning on and on about the evils of capitalism. He told the Venezuelan people how he planned to deal with their ongoing economic crisis. He raised gasoline prices by 6,000 percent! Then he ordered that the official exchange rate be changed from 6.3 bolivars to the dollar to 10. Why that's just a mere 37 percent decrease in purchasing power. Life in Venezuela will now be even harder than it has been with runaway inflation. I guess it's all the money the government has been printing that is plunging the country over the abyss. For those of you who want to see our minimum wage raised, you are in good company. President Maduro wants to do the same thing, thus insuring even more unemployment. Some of you might want to try living in Venezuela for awhile to get the feel of a Socialist country. If you decide to go, pack a boatload of toilet paper and aspirin because there is a terrible shortage of both. To put it mildly Millennials, Socialism doesn't work. Hit the books!
Tevya's Song
Dear God,
You made so many Socialists
It's no shame to be a Sociallst
But it's no great honor either!
Comments
AUTHORDear sad,
Liberals like Donahue know how to talk about greed and starving families, but they never understood or will ever understand the source of the problem. They are the source of the problem, because they stubbornly hold onto failed ideas that have never worked. Just look at the war on poverty. Come on over to the inn.
Yes it is an excellent example of how limousine liberals (Donahue) view the world through their feelings and draw unreasoned conclusions solely based on emotion and with total disregard for the whole picture, when put into perspective = disregard for the truth. They look at the facts like the existence of greed and wealth and use them as a weapon to attack capitalism when the worst of both are actually the engine of their own socialist agendas. Notice after Donahue tried to rebut Friedman and got shut down, slammed down he was at a loss to rebut.
- AUTHOR
Dear tsad,
Thanks for the video. Not only do millennials need to learn from Friedman, Obama is in desperate need of a lesson, as well. Obama believes that we should pick the best aspects from socialism and capitalism and use them at will. I'm off to the Inn.
BP, remember Milton Friedman? The American economist who received the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his research on consumption analysis, monetary history and theory and the complexity of stabilization policy. This guy was a key advisor to Ronald Reagan. Millennials never heard of him but they should listen to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ0-cDKMS5M Bernie Sanders should listen to that interview!
- AUTHOR
Dear tsadjatko,
Fairy tales are useful when you don't have the truth on your side.
LOL I hadn't seen that! I googled it and it is true. However I have noticed lately liberals do use what they say are fairy tales to prove their points.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning tsadjatko,
This group like other Dems are utterly clueless. 44% of Democrats support accepting refugees from fake city in the Aladdin movie!
Millenial Democrats - are they all this clueless?
- AUTHOR
Dear tsadjatko,
They won't go, but if they do, they won't like it. Of course, they won't tell you that. See you at the Inn. No socialism there!
Hey Socialist Millenials, go live in Denmark and let us know how socialism is working over there http://www.proudcons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/1...
- AUTHOR
Good Morning stragw,
There are so many examples of failed economies under Socialism, you would think that any educated person would be familiar with the outcomes. It is clear that colleges are keeping this bit of information away from students, and students don't have any motivation to learn or think for themselves. See you at the Inn, where people are not politically correct. It exists only in our minds, but it is a great place to be!
To breakfastpop,
Yes our corporate tax rate is definitely too high and that is where Reagan had it right. Lower taxes for everybody, individual and corporate. More people get hired and thus, even with the lower tax rate the government takes in more money. Unfortunately, Reagan's ideas didn't really take affect until Clinton became president and obviously he took credit. But in general, Reagan's goal was to help everyone. Socialism does the opposite, with oppressive taxes that hits the individual more than any other entity. Even the value added taxes of production are passed onto the consumer. Your mention of Venezuela is a good example. Raising gas prices 6000 percent doesn't exactly stick it to the corporations. I remember hearing about an author in Sweden who hadn't written a book in quite a few years. When she finally released her next book (after more than 20 years) her income went up dramatically that year and thus her taxes hit 102 percent. She had to give up the first year of earnings to the government and more! The author was Astrid Lindgrens who wrote the Pippy Longstocking books. This a good example of what you mentioned above. Have a creative idea, try to make money and the government takes it away. Socialism definitely discourages creative thought.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning Stragw,
Our corporate tax rate is obscene and counter productive. If we want more jobs, we need to lower the rate. By the same token, we need to tax companies that choose to take their business to other countries. It really is just a matter of common sense. See you at the Inn.
- AUTHOR
Dear RJ,
We need to re-do the way we elect people in this country. We need to revamp our education system and start graduating people who are capable of real work. Come to think of it, we need a do over for just about everything. If we don't roll up our sleeves and get busy, we will be lost forever.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning brad,
Education has been suffering for decades. Younger kids are being told that everyone is a winner. By the time they enter college they are ripe pickings for the uber liberal socialist profs who want to mold them into unrealistic demanding babies. By the time they graduate they are fit for nothing in the real world. That's why Bernie is so attractive to them. He feels their pain and they feel the Bern! See you at the Inn. I'll bring you wipes for your keyboard.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning maven,
I agree 1984 has come alive and it is all too frightening. We are graduating scores of kids who are the most uninformed in history. If these are the future leaders of our nation, God help us. See you later, maven. There will be bagels for you and nachos for fp!
- AUTHOR
Good Morning jackal,
I hope you are right about Hillary. If it were anyone else, I would feel confident that she would be indicted. I would love to see her taken away in handcuffs! See you later at the Inn.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning savvy dating,
We need more millennials like your son. Having said that, Bernie will not be the candidate. Instead the liar in chief will be the nominee no matter what. I feel exactly the same way as you. Trump is just too hard to bear. See you at the Inn.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning fp,
Let me clear things up. The bagels were served by Tevya at breakfast. The Inn has an entirely different menu. Last night it was nachos! As for Bernie, I doubt he will be taking over. I just learned that his supporters will be on spring break just when he needs them the most! What fun. See you at the Inn. It is spareribs tonight!
Jacklee I hope to high heaven you are right, but it doesn't look that way. Hiliary is marching full steam ahead and the Democrats know they have to keep the liberal engine stoked for 2016 while they can lead their sheep (democrat voters) to the slaughter or it will be all over for the socialist agenda. Millennials would vote for Steve Urkel if he promised them his autograph...which brings to mind
I remember the comment a german worker made when Merkel was elected. Since she is a conservative this worker hoped that his income tax rate would go down. He said that his income tax rate was 44 percent on an income of $45,000. I was shocked. This rate is absurd and obscene. If I were at this rate, I would have to sell my home and move back into an apartment. Also, I remember, decades ago, that Europe anticipated constant chronic unemployment of almost 20 percent because they knew the burden their social programs had on the economy, but they avoided it by doing one thing that socialists despise, they lowered the corporate tax rate. Therefore, companies can hire more workers who in turn are heavily taxed, bringing more money in for the governments. It's like taking Reagan's trickle down concept and inverting it so it trickles up. I was working at Chrysler when the new FCA was incorporated and they chose Britain. Was amazed at their low corporate tax rate. I know Germany and Ireland have low rates also. The US has the highest compared to most of the countries in Europe
Pop
Interesting link, I spent paragraphs that I could have replaced with simply saying Dumbing down America.
throw Common Core out the door.
I totally agree - but until we get a President who isn't beholden to special interest and has an objective look at the education system of the nation, we'll be stuck in that rut. Partisan politics are running this country. I'm also with Jackclee - Republican landslide
Brad, It's called the deliberate dumbing down of America:
- AUTHOR
Dear RJ,
I can't accept the fact that people are not interested in discovering what socialism means and what Sanders stands for. Shame on them. See you at the Inn here people understand what is at stake.
POP
It seems like the youth of every generation are getting less intelligent.
Is it a function of our education system and its declining academic performance of the graduates and dropouts?
It must be something, as each presidential election is more distracted than the previous one. Issues, problems, and qualifications of the presidential candidates seem to be glossed over with a simple diversion to a non critical subject.
Whenever a stream of consciousness falls into an intelligent direction, up pops another red herring distraction. This happened in every presidential elections in the last one hundred years, but thanks to technology the distractions occur with blinding frequency.
How does the youth of today that live in a virtual world have any idea of what to do in real life? The youth of the last two decades were responsible for the dot com bubble, and the real estate bubble. I say youth because the conservative protective of fiduciary functions were softened to include high risk high gain mentality in financial market that use to be grounded in slow turns and gains, in order to protect that safeguards were in place.
They eliminated the need for stock brokers, and broke the stock market for example. The fiduciary responsibility that is the foundation of the financial industry was broken by technology employed by the newly graduated MBAs that sought a fast track to wealth. They abandoned the ladder and made a cyber elevator.
Sorry, I have to stop, I am getting jelly and coffee all over the keyboard.
Good morning, Pop...
An old maxim, "What you allow is what you teach", and for far too long now Progressives have dominated our national conversation...Political correctness is the "new normal"...Jackelee has said this is 1980 all over again...I differ...it's 1984 ...
See you at the Inn...Bagels with a smear of cream cheese, please...
I predict Hillary will be indicted by the Justice Department for her email miss handlings. If not, our Republic is in worst shape than imagined. God help us.
My son is a Millenial, and he can't believe how dumb they are. So at least, we have one young person trying to set the record straight whenever he can.
In any case, the Democrats will see to it that Hillary wins the nomination, even if they have to do every evil thing imaginable to make it happen. And then, we will have another socialist in power---but one who is not "benevolent." She will make herself the queen of the universe. All the more reason for informed people to vote the other way. Personally, I just hope we can get rid of Trump. Cruz or Rubio are much better options, as The Donald is actually a Democrat in disguise.
pop & Tevya....I have a complaint! Let's spice up the Inn's menu please. I was all set for Belgium waffles with fruit topping & whipped cream~~NOT bagels. Bagels? Were you expecting Bernie? I left a hefty tip nonetheless. Next time, remember me!
Nothing I like more than a FREE breakfast~~except of course, a FREE breakfast of my choice!! BTW pop, I'd appreciate if you would pay your staff $15.00 an hr. so I don't have to leave a tip next time.
What the hell's going on in this country? Just wait til Bernie takes over. "You'll be sorry." Oh wait, that's what YOU said....Bye now!
Great topic and hub - When the progressive education system in place only teaches (indoctrinates) students on "what they deserve" its no wonder they have no clue about how things really work. Many of these kids don't realize that in a true Socialist society that a high percentage of them would simply become workers - no college, no "getting paid," no sitting around playing X-box all day.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning jackclee,
They are teaching these kids that capitalism stinks and Socialism reigns supreme. By the way, your optimism is refreshing. See you at the Inn.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning Tom,
Millennials are not prone to wondering. It requires too much thought. Bernie should have moved to Venezuela a long time ago. See you at the Inn.
I am optimistic. I see a Republican landslide in November regardless who is the nominee. It is 1980 all over again.
- AUTHOR
Thank you billy. See you at the Inn.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning Wes,
I understand everything you said. Let's face it, considering that our graduates seem to emerge dumber than when they entered school, college is just becoming a vehicle for brainwashing. I feel the same way about Hillary. If Sanders get the nomination, a Republican will take over. We may have a chance then to restore our nation.
Great hub as always. I wrote a similar hub recently aiming at millennials. It is interesting to read the comments and the poll. I hope they are wrong.I can't believe 43% of millennials supports socialism. What are they teaching these kids at our top institutions?
Pop and Tevya,
Do the millennials ever wonder why they can't buy ANY durable consumer goods from China, Russia, Eastern Europe, Cuba, ect. Their cars, electronics, appliances are made by evil capitalists. Bernie has NEVER held a steady private sector job which evidently shows his abilities according to Marx.
As always, I respect your fervor and passion for this country. We need more like you who take the time to form an intelligent opinion and be active in the process. Carry on!
.....because everyone takes that 'free' public education so so seriously, right? I know I didn't. I couldn't stand to ever be there, and who would unless you were on the football team or a cheerleader or something.
You see so much stuff these days about what some CEO makes somewhere, and why is that even someone's concern? It would be more productive to concentrate on improving the self. It's never productive to sit around and be mad about what some stranger who runs some corporation you don't work for makes in a year.
A lot of the higher education game is truly predatory. You have to buy these books for a hundred or more dollars each, some of them you use maybe once in a semester - and then they won't be buying them back from you, as the next year they've already got a different book to rip people off with. There's some legitimate complaints about the costs of higher education.
Marketing something as 'free' is a lie, of course - they'll only be paying for it later. But it's no big deal, Sanders can't do a solitary thing to make higher education 'free.'
Truth is, I dislike Mrs. Clinton so much I hope Sanders gets the nomination.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning taxlarry
,
You just gave the millennials a job, and it's free! See you at the Inn.
Even if college is free, these kids are not bight enough to get an education. I would be very much against their education coming from my money. Millennialist, go clean your room and take out the garbage.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning Mike,
The depth of their stupidity is frightening. Students at Brown University are protesting the amount of homework they get. They say it leaves them no time to protest! It would be funny if it weren't so tragic. Stupidity is at the core of all of this. Throw in some laziness and you have someone who is feeling the Bern. I'll see you at the Inn.
- AUTHOR
Good Morning tsadjatko,
Even if they show up in drives, somehow honest Abe Hillary will get the nomination. See you at the Inn.
Happy Monday Patti
I happen to have some young friends who are fans of Bernie Sanders. At a recent gathering I had the opportunity to talk with them and asked them to sell me on why I should vote for Bernie.
Their knowledge of Socialism is lacking and their bottom line ended up being that Socialism means everything is free. They had differing opinions about what all would be included in this "free" package. Some thought it would be free medical care and education, Others thought it would include everything to include free housing and food.
When I questioned them as to whom would pay for all this "free" everything they all agreed it would be the rich people. When questioned about what would happen when all the rich people leave the country, they all agreed we could just print more money.
I'm thinking we can blame the highly successful "dumbing down America" program for this thinking. We now have so many young people who think this way it would seem they are addicted to "free". Like with many addictions such as drugs and alcohol, they will have to hit rock bottom before they will change their thinking.
As you so nicely explain in your hub, that day of rock bottom is written into the plan. Ask the people in Greece and now Venezuela what they think about "free" now that they have bottomed out.
Well said BP, but if I was Bernie Sanders I'd be very uneasy having to count on millennials support, they aren't likely to show up at the polls. It's not like the black vote Hiliary has locked up, brainwashed to vote for her, of course she has that advantage, Bill being the first black president.
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