Youth of America: Unite!
The majority of young Americans today are liberal idealists moved by a visceral reaction against the Bush era. The numbers speak for themselves: Nearly half of 18-29 year olds (47 percent) identify as Democrats compared to 28 percent who identify as Republicans (according to Young Democrats for America). For the last three general elections we have been the Democratic Party's most supportive age group. However, the social reforms of the Democratic Party which we so fervently support do not benefit us. In fact, the exorbitant cost of reforms such as Obamacare, when added to those of Social Security and Medicare, will only damage our chances for prosperity.
Instead of bravely fighting for our future, we are fighting against our future. Actually, to be fair, we are not doing much fighting at all and this is the whole problem. The youth are the largest underrepresented minority in American society and we are fast becoming the most oppressed as well. The US Census Bureau reports that barely 49 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted in the last presidential election, as compared to 69 percent and 70 percent for those aged 45-64 and 65-plus respectively.
On every issue, our needs and desires are outweighed by those of the older populations who not only vote but lobby to Congress with powerful, 40-million-member organizations like AARP (American Association of Retired People).
Here are some of the key issues we should be battling:
Obamacare: Young people are least likely to need health insurance because we tend to be healthier than the remaining population. With good reason, we often choose to go uninsured. While young adults constitute 18 percent of the adult population, we make up 28 percent of the uninsured adult population (according to a study by John Holahan and Genivieve M. Kenney of the Urban Institute). By imposing an "individual mandate," the current health care bill will require that we purchase health insurance or face a fine proportional to our income.
Many of us may prefer the fine over health insurance because of how unaffordable health insurance will be under Obamacare. In most states, because older individuals are much higher risk customers, they "pay six or seven times in premiums what younger people do," as economist Anne Kim told Fox News. But the Senate bill would impose a ratio of no greater than 3-1 and the House bill, 2-1. A study by the Urban Institute found that a 2-1 ratio would push premium costs for young people up by almost $1,100, thus dropping them a little less than $3,000 a year. Not satisfied, the AARP is pressing Congress to make our premiums identical with those of the elderly. Essentially, in order to make health care more affordable for the older population, Obamacare would force us to subsidize their health insurance.
This is ironic considering that we are the poorest segment of the population. We have not had time to build up capital, many of us have accrued student loans and after graduation we face a crippled economy due to no fault of our own (college graduates currently face a 40 percent plunge in employment opportunities according to a study by Michigan State University). Yet the government plans to take from us, the poor, and give to them, the rich: Robin Hood in reverse. As one of our few supporters, Robert Samuelson of The Washington Post said, "We have become a society that invests in its past and disfavors the future." And yet polls consistently show that under-30 voters are the staunchest supporters of Obamacare! Are we lemmings?
Social Security and Medicare: The proportion of the population collecting Social Security increases daily as longevity increases and the large baby boom generation (78.2 million Americans) enters retirement.
There are simply not enough young working people to pay for the benefits of the retirees. Without dipping into general tax revenues, the Social security system will soon go bankrupt. It is projected to run a $10 billion deficit in 2010 and $9 billion deficit in 2011. Cutting benefits is not only unlikely but also insufficient. In order to forestall bankruptcy, our taxes will have to increase dramatically. Former Treasury Department economist Bruce Bartlett says that every taxpayer would have to pay 13 percent more in income taxes just to make sure that all Social Security benefits currently promised will be paid.
Furthermore, he points out that if you add Medicare parts A, B and D into the equation, "The federal income taxes for every taxpayer would have to rise by roughly 81 percent to pay all of the benefits promised." In cold cash terms: "The total unfunded indebtedness of Social Security and Medicare comes to $106.4 trillion . . . but the nation's total private net worth is only $51.5 trillion . . . In effect, we have promised the elderly benefits equal to more than twice the nation's total wealth on top of the payroll tax."
Again, the deficit is growing and is projected to be $17.1 trillion 10 years from now ($50,000 per American). And we are going to have to pay for it. Unless we make drastic efforts to cut benefits and control spending, we will face unprecedented tax levels and a ruined economy. The American dream of economic success and the "pursuit of happiness" will become an artifact of the past. This is the devastating outcome of a democratic system in which 18 percent of the voting population blindly allows itself to be plundered by the actions and decisions of the other 82 percent.
Thus it falls to our generation to fight the battle for fiscal responsibility - not only out of our own self-interest but also out of concern for the future of America as a whole. In terms of real interests, we have the greatest stake in the long-term future of America. We need to wake up, spread the word, inundate our congressmen and senators with letters and fulfill our obligation to ourselves and this nation. Obaman idealism is the opiate of the young. Youth of America, Unite!
Prateik Dalmia is a sophomore international studies major from Novi, Mich.
Instead of bravely fighting for our future, we are fighting against our future. Actually, to be fair, we are not doing much fighting at all and this is the whole problem. The youth are the largest underrepresented minority in American society and we are fast becoming the most oppressed as well. The US Census Bureau reports that barely 49 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted in the last presidential election, as compared to 69 percent and 70 percent for those aged 45-64 and 65-plus respectively.
On every issue, our needs and desires are outweighed by those of the older populations who not only vote but lobby to Congress with powerful, 40-million-member organizations like AARP (American Association of Retired People).
Here are some of the key issues we should be battling:
Obamacare: Young people are least likely to need health insurance because we tend to be healthier than the remaining population. With good reason, we often choose to go uninsured. While young adults constitute 18 percent of the adult population, we make up 28 percent of the uninsured adult population (according to a study by John Holahan and Genivieve M. Kenney of the Urban Institute). By imposing an "individual mandate," the current health care bill will require that we purchase health insurance or face a fine proportional to our income.
Many of us may prefer the fine over health insurance because of how unaffordable health insurance will be under Obamacare. In most states, because older individuals are much higher risk customers, they "pay six or seven times in premiums what younger people do," as economist Anne Kim told Fox News. But the Senate bill would impose a ratio of no greater than 3-1 and the House bill, 2-1. A study by the Urban Institute found that a 2-1 ratio would push premium costs for young people up by almost $1,100, thus dropping them a little less than $3,000 a year. Not satisfied, the AARP is pressing Congress to make our premiums identical with those of the elderly. Essentially, in order to make health care more affordable for the older population, Obamacare would force us to subsidize their health insurance.
This is ironic considering that we are the poorest segment of the population. We have not had time to build up capital, many of us have accrued student loans and after graduation we face a crippled economy due to no fault of our own (college graduates currently face a 40 percent plunge in employment opportunities according to a study by Michigan State University). Yet the government plans to take from us, the poor, and give to them, the rich: Robin Hood in reverse. As one of our few supporters, Robert Samuelson of The Washington Post said, "We have become a society that invests in its past and disfavors the future." And yet polls consistently show that under-30 voters are the staunchest supporters of Obamacare! Are we lemmings?
Social Security and Medicare: The proportion of the population collecting Social Security increases daily as longevity increases and the large baby boom generation (78.2 million Americans) enters retirement.
There are simply not enough young working people to pay for the benefits of the retirees. Without dipping into general tax revenues, the Social security system will soon go bankrupt. It is projected to run a $10 billion deficit in 2010 and $9 billion deficit in 2011. Cutting benefits is not only unlikely but also insufficient. In order to forestall bankruptcy, our taxes will have to increase dramatically. Former Treasury Department economist Bruce Bartlett says that every taxpayer would have to pay 13 percent more in income taxes just to make sure that all Social Security benefits currently promised will be paid.
Furthermore, he points out that if you add Medicare parts A, B and D into the equation, "The federal income taxes for every taxpayer would have to rise by roughly 81 percent to pay all of the benefits promised." In cold cash terms: "The total unfunded indebtedness of Social Security and Medicare comes to $106.4 trillion . . . but the nation's total private net worth is only $51.5 trillion . . . In effect, we have promised the elderly benefits equal to more than twice the nation's total wealth on top of the payroll tax."
Again, the deficit is growing and is projected to be $17.1 trillion 10 years from now ($50,000 per American). And we are going to have to pay for it. Unless we make drastic efforts to cut benefits and control spending, we will face unprecedented tax levels and a ruined economy. The American dream of economic success and the "pursuit of happiness" will become an artifact of the past. This is the devastating outcome of a democratic system in which 18 percent of the voting population blindly allows itself to be plundered by the actions and decisions of the other 82 percent.
Thus it falls to our generation to fight the battle for fiscal responsibility - not only out of our own self-interest but also out of concern for the future of America as a whole. In terms of real interests, we have the greatest stake in the long-term future of America. We need to wake up, spread the word, inundate our congressmen and senators with letters and fulfill our obligation to ourselves and this nation. Obaman idealism is the opiate of the young. Youth of America, Unite!
Prateik Dalmia is a sophomore international studies major from Novi, Mich.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
The Green Man
posted 12/21/09 @ 6:50 PM EST
YESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!
whicket williams
posted 12/24/09 @ 6:52 AM EST
guerrilla politics taking back america one politician at a time
Alexano
posted 1/05/10 @ 8:26 PM EST
We're running out of ways to say it. But some poll results released by Democracy Corps this week yield perilous signs for the GOP's relevance to today's youth. (Continued…)
Jehan Sood
posted 1/07/10 @ 11:04 AM EST
As a 43yr old parent with 2 young boys (9&7) your article made me stop & think the greater damage this bill could do for their future rather than mine. (Continued…)
claim for whiplash
posted 1/09/10 @ 1:53 PM EST
The liberal voice in America I believe is a good thing, so long as this promotes peace
Hayabusa Clothing
posted 2/19/10 @ 12:52 AM EST
It's really good to hear about this. The youth is certainly the driving force for the country in the future and it is good to see they are stepping up to things like this. (Continued…)
sam
posted 2/26/10 @ 2:41 PM EST
I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog.I will keep visiting this blog very often.Seo Company
Tents
posted 3/12/10 @ 11:51 PM EST
Great indeed. It's awesome that the youth are uniting for a similar cause. Really awesome. Cheers
medical books
posted 3/22/10 @ 4:53 PM EST
it will be interesting what will be the effect of the Obama's health care reform. no one can predict...
corn pellet stove
posted 3/30/10 @ 8:28 PM EST
The youth today is not in a very good position. leaving college and entering this economy looking for a job can't feel very good and on top of that knowing you will have to deal with this debt. (Continued…)
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