Conservative Outreach To Millennials
Introduction
Millennials are the future. They are the next generation that will shape our world. I am trying to reach out to those millennials who may have been ignored and put off by the current political process. The next election in 2016 will have profound implications for all of our future. Especially, the millennials will be bearing much of the load. I am offering my wisdom and perspective. Please provide feedback in the comment section after reading.
-July 2015
Background
The millennials are the people born after 1985 and ages under 30 or so. The Gen-X are people ages from 30-50 or so. The baby boomers are those ages from 50-70 or so. Those are the generally accepted division of the current population. I belong to the baby boomers generation. I have been a conservative for most of my adult life. I have had debates and discussions among many of my peers. I have come to the conclusion that most people from my generation and possibly the Gen-X group are lost causes. They have already made up their minds and few evidence will sway them. That is the reason for this outreach to the millennials. I think it is possible to convince them based on what is in their own best interest. If they will keep an open mind and not be indoctrinated by the liberal academia, I think they may be persuaded to a new path.
Don't Believe What You've Been Told
The one thing you need to know is that you've been lied to. The media and Hollywood and college professors have given you a distorted image of conservatives.
Jon Stewart's Daily show is a satire on the American political process. Unfortunately, many millennials watch him and thinks he is reporting the news. He is biased to the progressive cause. He makes fun of Republicans and conservatives all day long. He is not interested in fixing anything. He is a political hack that is very talented in what he does. He has won numerous Emmys award. However, he is not looking out for you. Recent news came to light that Jon Stewart was a secret guest at the White House and received talking points from the Obama Administration on a regular basis. I wrote a parting message for Jon Stewart on my hub.
A Simple Test
Please bear with me for a moment. Just to set the baseline, I am lead to believe based on my interactions with millennials, that they are nubile to the arena of politics and civics and economics and finance. To confirm this, please take a moment and just answer the following few questions. There are no penalties here, just a check list of where we stand. The answer appears in the next module.
- Who is your Senator and Congressman and Mayor?
- What is the legal age to vote?
- What is the current interest rate set by the Federal Reserve Board?
- What is the interest rate of your Credit Card?
- How much is the current National Debt?
- What is FICA?
- What is an IRA or 401K plan?
- What is the rule of 72 or compounding interest?
- What is the First Amendment?
- What is Federalism?
- What percent of people voted in the 2012 election cycle?
Answers
Here are my answers, of course, the answers may be different depending where you live.
- Senators K. Gillibrand and C. Schumer, Congressman Patrick Maloney (18th district), Michael Grace - town of Yorktown Supervisor.
- Current legal voting age is 18.
- The current Federal Reserve Fund rate is 0.13%
- The current credit card rate varies between 12.9% to 22.9% depending on your credit rating.
- Current National Debt is over 18 Trillion dollars.
- FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contribution Act - You pay 6.2% of your salary for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare.
- An IRA is an individual Retirement Account and the 401K is a retirement plan implemented by your employer.
- The rule of 72 is a quick estimate on how long it will take your money to double based on the interest rate. Example: if the interest rate is 7%, 72/7=10, meaning it will take 10 years to double your money.
- The 1st amendment is part of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.
- Federalism is the 10th Amendment which states any function not specified by the Federal government is left to each State to implement.
- Only 57.5% of all the eligible voters turned out for the 2012 election.
So, how did you do? These are very basic questions. If you got them all right, congratulations, you are one of the few individuals who passed the test.
It Concerns You
Some millennials seems to be content with the way things are. They have little inclination to follow the news or politics. They take things for granted that all is well and will always be well. Or, they may be dissatisfied with one thing or another but they are under the impression that they have no influence. What is one vote when the system is so complex.
What they fail to realize is that decisions made in Washington have direct implications for them for years to come. For example, tax policies or trade policies or healthcare or spending and budgets will come from their pockets. They need to pay attention to the details for their own well being. Some of the problems facing our nation have been growing for years. Washington politicians are very good at kicking the can down the road. Let someone else fix it mentality.
A case in point. The abortion issue has been in debate since 1973. That's when the Supreme Court ruled that it is a right and legal to abort a fetus. However, it is argued at the time, abortion should be rare and only in early stages of pregnancy. Fast forward 40 years, Planned Parenthood is promoting abortion and even selling body parts for profit. How did we come this far? Is this what you want your world to be? Abortion on demand?
Be Selfish
Sometimes, it is good to be selfish. When you go fly on a plane, you are given safety instructions in case of emergencies. When the oxygen masks drop down, you are instructed to put your own mask on first before helping your children. It makes sense that you need to be in control before you can help others. When it comes to personal finance, it is the same way. You need to be financially stable before you can help your friend or family.
Being selfish means looking out for number one. You need to understand the policies that can and will affect your finances. Social security is an unfunded liability. It is a ponzi scheme ran by our government. The FICA collected from current employees are used to pay the benefits of retirees. There is no trust fund and never has one. Currently, it takes 2.9 workers to pay for 1 retiree. Due to the rising baby boom population retiring in the coming years, the ratio will soon drop to 2 to1. The millennials are on the hook to pay for the retirees.
Our national debt has risen to over 18 Trillion dollars (that's 18 followed by 12 zeros.) That is debt that must be paid back in the future by the millennials and their children.
An Odd Position
When I speak to some millennials, they often tell me that they are fiscal conservative but social liberal. This is an odd position to take. Let me explain. Conservatism is a philosophy and a way of life. It integrates politics and economic policies with social and personal responsibilities. These ideas and principles do not operate in a vacuum.
Planned Parenthood and the abortion issue is now in the forefront. We have been told that there is a "war on women" and conservatives wants to take the right of "pro-choice" away from women. That is false. Conservatives wants to preserve life - all life. Abortions should be rare and in special circumstances. We don't want our tax dollars to fund Planned Parenthood or abortions. We don't want abortions on demand or in the last trimester of pregnancy. These are not extreme positions. If possible, adoption is the preferred path.
What Is the Answer?
Conservatism is the right path. It is the right policy for our government as dictated by our Constitution with limited government and Federalism. It is the right way for economic policies (free enterprise capitalism) because it delivers the best results. Not promising equality of outcome but equality of opportunity. It is the proper social behavior that leads to a better and happier life for our selves and our family. Conservatism works every time it is tried.
Noticed I did not divide the millennials by race, gender, or economic status. The policies and principles of conservatism apply equally to all people and benefits all people.
Conservatives are not opposed to change. They just believe that change must come slowly and via prescribed Constitutional process by way of Amendments. Change is an evolutionary process rather than by judicial fiat or by revolution.
Follow The News and Read a Book
In order to know what is going on, you need to keep an eye on the news and read. We are the only species that has the capability to pass on our collective knowledge, That is why we have libraries and museums. It is a record of our history and our past. It is important that we learn from our history and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
I don't want you to take my word for it. I want you to look and research for yourself. That's the only way you can learn and comprehend and see through the clutter. There is a lot of disinformation on the web. They are there by design. Many groups have their hidden agenda. They use front groups to mislead and to confuse. The good news is that their is an absolute truth. If you take the time to search for it.
Some Free Advice...
To all the millennials, even if you don't buy into some of what I'm saying in this hub, you can take the following free advice. These are simple ideas that will make your life better and easier. These are the things that you should have learned in school. You will thank me later.
- Keep your debt at a minimum. Always pay off your credit card balance every month.
- Don't do drugs (even when pot is legalized in your State)
- Take full advantage of your 401K plan at work.
- Learn to use common tools and to perform some basic repairs.
- Do some volunteer work - it will give you a purpose and enhance your self esteem.
- Stay close to your family. They are your lifeline and support.
- Be an informed voter.
- Minimize your social media activities.
- Keep a balanced life - work, family, leisure...
- Eat healthy and exercise daily.
Summary
I try to lay out the case for a conservative approach to life. I am targeting millennials in particular because they are our future. They are the one's that will be bearing the load in the coming years. Our country is at a tipping point. America can go in the direction of Greece or be the great country she were destined to be. Please take the time to consider the items I discussed here. I hate for you to wake up years down the road and wonder - what the heck happened?
Steve Backley, who wrote "The Champion in All of Us" said the following. “There are three types of people in this world. Firstly, there are people who make things happen. Then there are people who watch things happen. Lastly, there are people who ask, what happened? Which do you want to be?”
Some Related Information - my other hubs
- Conservative Principles Defined
My definition of what a Conservative believes. - American Civics 101
A basic primer on Civics every American should learn. - How to Vote!
A simple guide to be an informed voter. - Simple Rules To Live By
Some common sense ideas for living a good life. - Basic Skills for Every Adult
This may seem to be common sense and yet it needs to be reminded.
Mark Levin's latest book
Popular
Comments
AUTHORCraig, thanks for reading my hub. I guess I was making the case for a deeper definition of Conservatism than the traditional definition. I am in the process of writing an eBook to expand on this idea. The reason Conservatism is better is because it offers a better alternative position on some liberal issues. For example, adoption instead of abortion, civil union instead of gay marriage and a whole slew of other ideas and concepts. I'll let you know when my book is finished.
Very factual. This hub is well-formatted. I like your advice section and your facts section(s).
Millenials need to be taught that this country was founded upon conservativism and conservative principles. I especially like how you advised to keep social media activity to a minimum - please see my article on social media and narcissism!
One point - you make the argument that people cannot be fiscally conservative and socially liberal.
People can be both. People can love limited government yet believe in abortion (so long as it is not federally funded). People can support the second amendment yet be pro gay marriage. Additionally, someone can be 100% atheistic yet believe that people have the right to worship as they please (look at Governor Ventura).
Other than that, you are right and exactly on with every other point.
- AUTHOR
junko, I created a hub on Conservative role models - https://soapboxie.com/social-issues/Some-Conservat...
- AUTHOR
Junko, I'm not sure what you want me to comment on. I get the fact that slavery was a stain on our country and discrimination and prejudice has hindered the progress of blacks. As an immigrant my self, I have experienced some of that but no way equate with the black experience. However, our country have progressed and we have done much to level the playing field. The question for you is what will be the proper role of government? As a conservative, I believe government for the most part have been the problem rather than the solution. Reagan believe in the same philosophy and it lead to an economic boom in the 1980s.
I want to also offer my two cents on who are our role models. There are plenty of black conservatives who can serve as excellent role models for young people. Why are they not getting much traction? It seems the media always goes to Rev. Sharpton and Jackson when it comes to race related issues. I read the biography of Clarence Thomas and Dr. Carson and others and they were compelling. They succeeded in our country by adopting conservative principles.
jackclee I am aware that in my latest comment I left a piece of red juicy meat in my attempt to get you to think out that box. I covered a lot more in my comment than how welfare policies helped to destroy African American family life. I knew you would bite on that but to not taste anything else I wrote was telling to me. Than to offer me tutoring on politics Credences may intertain you but I feel you. Reagan was a young Democratic Actor when I witness the welfare policies of the south which differed from state to state. Yes Feds gave the money to the states and State's Rights gave each state right to spend that money like They want to. All rules and policies is and was state control so the states and not the Federal Government nor the people that failed. The state had a right to be wrong then and now. Come to my place I won't try to recruit and I don't expect you to agree and if you disagree please say what you disagree and we don't have agree. I put a lot of ret meat in my hubs, don't be scared
- AUTHOR
Here is a link on Reagan's economic success -
- AUTHOR
Junko, I respect your answer which is more than some blacks would do when I try to engage them in discussion. As soon as I try to bring us this topic, I was shut down by some saying basically I cannot understand the black experience in this country because I am not black, essentially stopping the conversation. To respond to your point, why the broken family, you brought up the same thing I brought up that it was our welfare policies that created this. If a government makes it the policy of single mother's getting subsidies to help the children, guess what? You will have more single mothers. Under 50 years of Democratic control of many cities, by the way, getting 90% of the black votes, have you seen any impeovements or do you agree with me that they have failed?
With reguard to Reagan, I must disagree with you on this. Reagan was my hero in many ways but the main part was his Conservative ideas when dealing with domestic affairs. His economic policies lead to the greatest boom in modern history thereby helping many more people both blacks and whites. The rising water lifts all boats. You can look up the economic statistcs to show this. If you want to discuss this furthur, I am willing to explain. I recently have engaged in a discussion with another hubber named credence2. I have created a hub to discuss the solutions to high youth unemployment in our country. You might find this interesting.
jackclee now that the air is cleared and we took the weekend off let me be clear in answering your request . You asked me to explain why immigrants from Asia and elsewhere can come to America not speaking English and in a few short years achieve the American dream ? The Dependency Class did start before the outsourcing of jobs you are right and i will explain why America and White Slavers depended on poorly uneducated Blacks to build this Nation with free labor. The Fact that you implied the fact blacks in the Inner-cities and town of America have not achieved the American Dream as long as they have been here (3or4 hundred years) but still haven't found the American Dream , I felt insulted. You say you did not intent to insult me or Black People so I'll take your word you didn't intent to insult you just don't know the whole story. Well when I thought you deleted my comment because I fought what I perceived as fire with fire I hope I somewhat answered your Question. I would like to add another fact and reason why The Black family is divided now unlike others who came from other countries When I was a child I remember the women friends of my parents having to hide any proof of a man living in the house with her and her children to get State Aid of any kind. Job discrimination was something black fathers had to deal with in pre-civil rights years and that made it harder for blacks to achieve the american dream from slavery's end until the 1960's, then Reagan closed the affirmative action door shut in the 1990's. A few million of the tens of millions of descendants of slaves were able to achieve the american dream in that 30 year opening but, the majority were shut out again. When I was a child there were street sweeper machines in my Neighborhood the city was racially integrated I was born in the 40's when white flight started in the 60's when blacks began getting city administration jobs the white folks left and took their tax money and investments to the suburbs. The street aweepers stopped soon after because with city jobs being outsourced to the suburbs and off shore the cities failed. The Country and its infrastructure will fail soon as in America's Inner- Cities if taxes are not collected again and investment money is spent off shore not on shore. I believe taxes have to be paid to support the Federal Government so the Feds can support the state and local government. States rights shouldn't include the right to not help the dependency class create by state choices. What do you think jackclee?
- AUTHOR
Junko, apology accepted. I'm glad we cleared the air.
Lee: I apologize I was wrong. I won't try to continue our dialogue today. allow me to reread and rethink our comments. I still think iron sharpens iron. thanks for not letting me go off the deep end concerning your character.
- AUTHOR
Junko, I did not delete your comment as you miss understand. I just saw it and I approved it. For your info, I always set my preference to preview before posting comments as a matter of policy. I do have other life other than being on Hubpages. For the record, My comments were not an attack on you or on blacks. Please reread my post before jumping to conclusions. What I posed was a valid question and I hope you will think about it some more. My contention is that liberal policies such as welfare and single mother benefits were responsible for the breakdown of the family in black neighborhoods and lead to the current poor condition. By adopting conservative principles, such as getting an education, and being self reliant will lead to a more stable home for the next generation.
As with many discussions of a controversial subject, miss understanding gets in the way of progress. I try to engage you to debate the issues not to insult or be combative. If you read some of my other postings, I always try to be respective of opposing opinions but I stand by my principles and belief. I am sorry you are taking this so personal and it was not my intent.
I am retired and have benefited from what this country had to offer me and my family. I am trying to help others especially millennials who are struggling now. Take it or leave it, it is your choice. We have a free country and that is one of our strengths.
jackclee when you and other immigrants were young in living in Asia, I was young in living in America. My mother and father both worked good paying jobs any and everybody who wanted to work could find a job somewhere in America. Immigrants like you who came to America had the advantage of hundreds and thousands of years of their history and traditions. Most African Americans that you now compare yourself and your accomplishments to had no and have no knowledge of self family or history. 100 years after slavery they got the right to vote in America. How long did it take you and your family to get the right to vote and claim conservative values? It took Affirmative action to give women and minorities the right to higher education, jobs and end racial discrimination in housing and employment. about 30 years later a conservative President name Reagan pledged to stop Affirmative Action. You were likely in Asia. I think i better not try to sharpen you because if you are not praised, like getting the best answer to a conservative question you freak out and attack me and my people. I give respect but I also demand respect. So to keep myself out of trouble I'll have nothing more to say to you. Go Away and continue to think you and your people are better Americans than mine, go pat yourself on the back.
- AUTHOR
The dependency class started well before the outsourcing of jobs. If you believe that is the case, how do you explain the many immigrants from Asia and else where that came here without speaking English and in a few short years became successful and were able to achieve the American dream? They did not ask for handouts or collect welfare or SSI... I realize blacks in this country was dealt a bad hand from the get go. However, it is the liberal policies of Democrats that have made the situation worse. Look at any major US cities, you will find failed democratic officials that are running them to the ground. It is not for lack of money that Schools in inner cities are failures. It is the teachers unions and politicians that kept the school system status quo that are failing our students. I can't convince you the past, but please ask yourself going forward, and look for alternative solutions.
jackclee, what created the the dependency class was The capitalist like Trump sending American jobs off shore, not Johnson's great society. They 47%er's includes underclass conservatives for your information. Don't brainwash yourself. Iron sharpens iron you should read some of my political views from the underclass. I've heard and read elsewhere your solutions and positions. I didn't say you were right or wrong but you have a right to be politically incorrect. Americans prosperity and poverty isn't base on where they immigrated from because we all but those who were here came from somewhere else.
- AUTHOR
Junko, thanks for taking the time to read my hub. Conservatives like me are not for no goverment but for limited government. There is a huge difference. Our current deficits is driven by over spending despite record tax revenue. You can go check it out for yourself. Conservatives want the 47% to reach properity as many immigrants have done. It is my claim that the great society of Johnson and war on poverty that created the dependency class we have now. If we apply conservative principles to government and to our own lives, we will succeed. My message to the millennials is a sound one. You can't point to one thing that I say that is contrary to my conservative priciples.
My problem with big government is one of efficiency. Very few govnment programs are well run. In fact, you can't name one government agency that has done a great job that one would want it to do more. From the post office to the DMV to the EPA to the VA, they are full of bureacrats and in some cases fraud and waste. Conservatives believe there are better ways to solve our current problems. I wish you would read up on some of my solution proposals before making judgement on "conservatives" as being "wrong"...
jackclee you wrote that when you talk to Millennials they claim to be fiscal conservatives and socially liberals not unlike my position that 100% purity is not possible. As I commented before liberals and conservatives are similar in your 14 points of reference. Abortion stance is where the conservative stance is outstanding. Conservatives claim concern for the unborn child and liberals claim concern for the born child. Another big different is taxes collected to support the underclass (47%er's) and their living children. Conservatives and Capitalist hate taxes and the underclass can barely pay state and local taxes. The fact is, if taxes are not collected these days from those Americans who benefited from the tax monies collected in the pass history that made America's infrastructure the greatest in the world we will witness the fall of America. The Federal Government gave more than 40 acres and a mule to Americans who couldn't pay any taxes. Big Brother gave the rail roads and capitalist money and land to lead the world in commerce. Now conservative say they don't need the federal government and it's too big. Well the underclass sure need the feds to protect the great unwashed from capitalism which is more selfish than socialism. I believe the millennials don't have time to be more political because they have been trying to find the jobs or hold on to the jobs they got in spite of the fact jobs was promised if conservatives were elected in the 2010 midterm elections. I do see where you are coming from jackclee and I respect your constitutional right to be wrong. I believe you are sincere.
- AUTHOR
Kathleen - Thanks for the suggestion.
This is excellent advice:
•Keep your debt at a minimum. Always pay off your credit card balance every month.
•Don't do drugs (even when pot is legalized in your State)
•Take full advantage of your 401K plan at work.
•Learn to use common tools and to perform some basic repairs.
•Do some volunteer work - it will give you a purpose and enhance your self esteem.
•Stay close to your family. They are your lifeline and support.
I think you should add to this hub the advice for young people to study recent American history, perhaps the past 50 years, and try to learn from the older generations mistakes. We made a bunch of them.
•Be an informed voter.
•Minimize your social media activities.
•Keep a balanced life - work, family, leisure...
•Eat healthy and exercise daily.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the comment. Labeling is one of the means to silence opposing views by portraying a group in a negative light. Conservatives have been targeted by the media and the elites in Washington and Hollywood as "extreme" and "crazy". I am disappointed at the Republican leadership for buying into this narrative. They will loose if they keep this up.
Excellent blog! I've found that Millennials are more conservative than they realize. My 21 year old son, for instance, considers himself to be libertarian. When we sat down to discuss his political views, they were very much conservative. I think it all has to do with the labeling of views.
20