Powerful Interests Push Young People Toward Socialism

John Hood's Daily Journal

Powerful Interests Push Young People Toward Socialism
By Melissa Mitchell
August 13, 2010



This week’s “Daily Journal” guest columnist is Melissa Mitchell, office manager for the John Locke Foundation.


RALEIGH — When reading and reviewing the book, "The Battle: How the Fight Between Free Enterprise and Big Government Will Shape America", by Arthur Brooks for the August issue of Carolina Journal, word constraints would not allow me to address all of the fascinating, thought-provoking, and troubling information contained within the book.

For example, after the election, polling revealed that young adults ages 18-32 overwhelmingly voted for President Obama. Brooks has data that show that over 66 percent of them voted for Obama, compared to 32 percent for McCain. He also cites a January 2010 poll that shows that this group holds a positive view of socialism. This is frightening because they are the future of our nation.

The question arises: Why do these young Americans see socialism in such a favorable light? In an age when massive amounts of information are only a computer click away, how is this group so ignorant about the imprisonment and murder of millions of people in a multitude of countries by socialists?


I felt that it was imperative to understand how young Americans have come to believe that socialism is preferable to capitalism. When 70 percent of Americans believe in a free-market economy, how is this group so out of step? I think the makeup of the other 30 percent holds the answers to this riddle.

Brooks says the 30-percent group consists of academics, journalists, entertainers, lawyers, and many in Washington. Brooks calls this group “the intellectual upper class.” “They are smart, powerful, and are in the top 5 percent of the population in income,” Brooks states. This group also consists of followers. These are the people who are enamored with the intellectual upper class.

Brooks does not believe that statism started with Obama’s election. By dissecting the 30-percent group, one can see how these young adults have come to believe as they do.

First, academics: These are the individuals that we entrust our children to every day, but most academics are liberals. “Academics as a whole align massively with the far left —more than any other profession,” states Brooks. They train the K-12 teachers to whom students are exposed every day. As a plus-23 student, a politically correct term for old people who go back to school, I witnessed this attitude firsthand on the Meredith campus. Many of the traditional-age students were afraid to reveal that they voted for George Bush and were conservative. They also were afraid to reveal that they were conservative Christians.

Sadly, this is happening on all college campuses. So from kindergarten through college, students are exposed to either an undercurrent or an open hostility toward capitalism and a positive attitude toward socialism.


Second in influence only to academics is the entertainment industry. While many of these socialism-loving young adults will criticize CEOs’ large salaries, they seem unfazed by the huge salaries entertainers receive. Hollywood produces movies and TV shows that portray American values, history, and corporations in a bad light. Even children’s cartoon shows have portrayed corporations as evil.

Journalists are next on the list.  For years now, newspaper readers have come to realize that journalists do not report stories in a fair and balanced manner. Recently, it was revealed that a group of journalists got together and schemed to withhold information about then-candidate Obama. Many of the editorial pages of newspapers are openly liberal. Students looking for information will find very little in the world of journalism that supports conservative ideas. Journalists also join with the academia and the entertainment industry in presenting a negative portrayal of America and lauding activist actors and entertainers.

TV journalists and news commentators are at the forefront of lazy reporting. For example, a search of the Internet reveals how many are presenting negative stories about the individuals attending tea parties.


Finally, we have lawyers and lawmakers who join in to prove that our system of laws is unfair and that we need a move to a government-controlled society.


With all of this influence in their lives, it is no wonder the 18-34 age group sees socialism in a favorable light. This leaves us with these questions: Is there any hope for America? Will we become a socialist country?


Brooks points out that people 40 and over do not see socialism in a favorable light. Many young adults will be leaving college soon and will enter the job market within the next several years. With the economy still in dire straights, they will face the reality that government has failed to deliver the promised jobs.


The growing deficit and high taxes will begin to concern them, and they will realize that as Winston Churchill said, “I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”


They are going to be faced with higher taxes to support Social Security, Obamacare, and the expansion of government. It will become clear that regulations designed to make life fair for all are irritating and infringe on their ability to enjoy life. These regulations will also contribute to an increase in the cost of material goods. Once these realities hit, they will begin to move to the right.


Looking at the current Gallup and Rasmussen polls, young adults may already be regretting their 2008 vote. President Obama’s and the U. S. Congress’ favorable ratings are at historic lows.


Finally, Brooks says, “Entrepreneurship, as a personality trait, might be in the American DNA.” He points out that the United States is made up of descendants of immigrants who were willing to give up “security and familiarity for the possibility of prosperity and success.” These immigrants were the risk takers in life. Brooks believes that “America’s vast success might be explained in part by our genetic predisposition to embrace risk.”


Is there hope for America? Certainly. We are not only seeing a backlash among older voters, we also are seeing a rise in conservative groups on college campuses. If Brooks’ assumption is accurate and entrepreneurship is buried in our American DNA, then a sleeping giant will arise, and capitalism and the free market will be seen as a wonderful alternative to socialism.





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