Now that the primary here in California is over and we have a fairly concrete idea of who the two nominees will be, it’s time that we dispel some false ideas before we etch this primary into history.
One that I have heard a few too many times is essentially that Bernie Sanders’ popularity among millennials shows that millennials are a bunch of socialist liberals. As a millennial myself who lives with millennials, works with millennials and goes to school with millennials, I can assure you this is not the case. I apologize if I sound somewhat angry in vaporizing this fallacy, but in my defense, this has been one of the most frustrating cycles yet and it still isn’t over.
When the primary campaign was still young and candidates were dropping out, including the one I supported, it became clear at one point that there was going to be a three-way race between an egomaniacal pathological liar, another egomaniacal pathological liar and a disarmingly honest socialist in an ill-fitting suit. Many millennials, who are far less loyal to parties than previous generations, went with the one person that wasn’t an egomaniacal pathological liar.
Even I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind a Sanders presidency nearly as much as I will a Trump or Clinton presidency. The things he could accomplish are positive, and his economic policy is so extreme that it could never get past even the most liberal of congresses. Then again, I’m a news junkie and cynic so maybe I was just having a brief moment of optimism…
I’m sure the elderly gentlemen could find a way to mess this country up even more, but at least I know he has pure intentions, whatever that may be worth, and I know many millennials feel the same way.
My own roommate is a Bernie Sanders supporter, and he hates the idea of socialism. What he hates even more, apparently, is the idea of Trump or Clinton becoming president.
Sanders showed early on that he respected the American electorate by laying out his ideology and platform early in the race, and that seems to have gone a long ways in earning the respect of millennials.
Trump and Clinton, even with their nominations a foregone conclusion, remain an enigma to voters. An enigma perhaps to themselves, even. No person really knows what Clinton or Trump believe, and these two prefer it this way. Rather than respect for the electorate, these two have found the contemptuous sweet spot where voters will ascribe ideals to them rather than Clinton/Trump having to take a position on literally anything.
If the sky being blue was a political issue, I could expect Trump saying something like, “I think the sky is beautiful, it’s a beautiful sky and I’m very pleased with it. Believe me, the sky is perfect.”
On the other hand I could see Clinton saying something like, “Many people see the sky in their own way. I have no reason to believe that I can’t, as president, put together a committee to examine the sky.”
And you wonder why millennials won’t vote for them…
The simple fact is that Clinton and Trump are about as easily read as the Secret Service agents that surround them. Are they human? Nobody knows, but they sure don’t act like normal, well-adjusted humans…
Sanders, however was an open book. Much like your grumpy grandpa, he scowls when annoyed and drools slightly when mad. He smiles when happy and he shuffles about when he’s sad.
I may have taken in a few too many Muhammad Ali clips this week… RIP Champ.
In the end, millennials just wanted someone genuine, and the best that American politics had to offer was an old socialist from Vermont. Millennials do have a political bent, and that’s that they are– generally– socially liberal and fiscally conservative.
Notice once again that both presumptive nominees want to spend billions if not trillions and support surveillance programs that quash civil liberties. They advocate continued involvement in the Middle East and maintaining the status quo with the War on Drugs and the regulatory burden that is crushing the job market. Both talk about repatriation of one form or another to force formerly American businesses to return instead of attracting them back by cutting redundant agencies and capping the power of unelected bureaucracies. These two are basically on the same team, one has a “D” next to her name and the other is systematically destroying the GOP.
Any part of the popular ideology for millenials was only briefly represented in this election cycle before Trump and Clinton caught the circus tent on fire, so why wouldn’t millennials go for the one guy left who at least wants to get us out of the Middle East, end the War on Drugs, and reform the justice system?
But congrats, now he’s out and we’re stuck with a pair of ideological twins, if what they have can even be called an “ideology.”
There is a presidential candidate’s sign in my yard, but once again it is for the one person on the ballot in all 50 states who isn’t an egomaniacal pathological liar.
To the two major parties, consider this your notice as a third of the electorate either stays home or votes with me. Millennials want a genuine presidential candidate next time ’round. One who is principled, passionate, and has enough respect for the voters to lay out his ideology in simple English. Are we really asking for that much?

Devon Minnema is 20 years old and by no means a “socialist liberal.”

Sharing is caring!