Jenny Smyth, an aspiring filmmaker in Vermont, writes that most Millennials she knows are looking for a President who will create better-paying jobs and save them from ruthless debt collectors and high interest rates on college loans.
WHAT DO MILLENNIALS REALLY WANT IN A PRESIDENT? MORE POKEMON? WELL, YEAH. BUT ALSO, JOBS.
By Jenny Smyth
Contrary to click-seeking headlines, what we Millennials want is not unlike what our parents wanted at our age: a decent standard of living, meaning safer and healthier populations, more affordable housing. Better wages. Student debt relief.
In our time, unlike our parents' time, nearly all of that is more difficult because of the economic disruption due to globalization/internet and the inflation of college and healthcare costs. In the past, one could raise a family on wages from plentiful manufacturing jobs and look forward to a decent pension. That golden age seems to be over, especially since the 2008 financial crisis—also known as the "Great Recession," but I'm not sure what's so great about it.
Most of the jobs with a decent wage now require a post-graduate degree (the MA is the new BA), unless a job candidate has prior experience in the field or trained skills in a particular field. Furthermore, the jobs tend to be in urban areas, where housing is expensive.
Students coming out of school looking for work should be able to explore jobs in the city of their choice, but student debt cramps their mobility. Instead, they stay close to their alma mater or in a small town where they can afford rent. This means that they may not be able to pursue their dream job, or at the very least a job that could begin to lift them out of the abyss of debt payments.
Bottom line, Millennials are looking for a President who will save them from ruthless debt collectors and high interest rates on college loans so they can begin a middle class life with a job that will enable them to save and buy a home.
According to Derek Thompson's April 20 article in The Atlantic, "The Average 29-Year-Old", "The average American has had more than seven jobs before she turns 29, and a third of them lasted less than six months." Thompson also reports that the "median income at 29 is about $35,000," which won't go far in buying a home.
HILLARY'S FAITH IN YOUNG AMERICA IS UNBOUNDED. #SHE'SWITHTHEM
Where does that all leave us with this endless election? My friends are increasingly encouraged by the platform that Hillary has announced on the minimum wage, the public option, free college tuition, a jobs program and climate change.
A federal minimum wage of $15-an-hour is a big deal and could bring her new support from Millennials and Bernie-ites, many of whom skip meals or scrimp on groceries to make rent payments on time.
Hillary's goal to make college more affordable to everyone is also super important. Her plan states that by 2021, "families with income up to $125,000 will pay no tuition at in-state four-year public colleges and universities", covering up to "80% of all families" in the country.
A July 3rd article by Annie Waldman in the New York Times shows that state agencies can be ruthless in collecting debt, as evidenced by this outrageous letter from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, a New Jersey state agency, to Marcia DeOliveira-Longinetti, a mother who was forced to continue to pay her dead son's loan bills: "Please accept our condolences on your loss…After careful consideration of the information you provided, the authority has determined that your request does not meet the threshold for loan forgiveness. Monthly bill statements will continue to be sent to you."
The same article goes on to mention Chris Gonzalez, who was sued by New Jersey over unpaid college loans even after he got cancer and lost his job. These two cases clearly demonstrate the cruelty of the current system and that free tuition is a must for future generations.
Finally, the billion dollar question, will Millennials come out for Hillary like they had for Bernie? The answer is a qualified yes, if Hillary genuinely supports her progressive platform and demonstrates she will use her political skills and knowhow to rally the public to overcome entrenched Republican defense of the 1 percent . Bernie convinced us that we can take on the powerful 1 percent and win.
What many Millennials want to see between now and November is Hillary demonstrating the same passion and will to fight and to win. Her fiery support of progressive causes was a good sign at the DNC in Philadelphia, and her choice of Tim Kaine as VP candidate is also promising, in that he has fought for civil rights and justice for the little guy all his life. A Clinton Kaine ticket looks a lot more promising and reformist than what seemed early in the summer to be a "Clinton Clinton" ticket.
ACTRESS CHLOE GRACE MORETZ MADE HER CASE FOR MILLENNIALS TO VOTE FOR HILLARY AT #DNCinPHL
Bernie himself made a good case for Hillary at the Democratic Convention, saying, "Any objective observer will conclude that -- based on her ideas and leadership -- Hillary Clinton must become the next President of the United States."
More relevant for all those who still pine for Bernie, he later told supporters, "Our job is to do two things -- to defeat Donald Trump and to elect Hillary Clinton. It is easy to boo but it is harder to look your kids in the face if we are living under a Trump presidency."
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July 27, 2016
