Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Decline

From The Economist:

Less normal is how many Americans have come to think that the country is not just passing through a rough patch but is in long-term decline. A survey of 12 swing states found 55% agreeing that the jobs being created in the recovery are of lower quality than those jobs lost during the recession. By a margin of nearly two to one, Americans expect their children’s jobs, salaries and benefits to be worse than their own. Some 35% go so far as to say that America’s best days are behind it.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Harvard IOP Millenial Survey Results Released


Harvard's Institute of Politics conducts a biannual survey on the political attitudes and outlook of Americans aged 18 to 30.  The Spring 2012 edition of the survey came out on April 24.  Results are available here. 

Some of the more interesting findings:

The GOP is less popular among Millenials than the conservative ideology.  35 percent of Millenials describe themselves as conservatives while only 24 percent identify with the GOP.  That's evidence of the failure of the Republican party to even corral its base among young voters.

Still, there is little love for the Obama agenda among Millenials

- Only 20 percent of Millenials believe that the United States is headed in the right direction.

- 46 percent disapprove of Obama's performance as President.  That's going to be a tough nut to crack if Obama hopes to get anywhere in the neighborhood of the 63 percent of the Millenial vote he attracted in 2008.

- 58 percent disapprove of Obama's handling of the economy

- 54 percent disapprove of Obama's handling of health care

- 63 percent disapprove of Obama's handling of the federal deficit

- 73 percent only sometimes or never believe that the federal government can be trusted to do the right thing

- 46 percent believe that minorities should not be given preferences in hiring and education, only 14 percent do.  Watch out Elizabeth warren.

Will the GOP be able to capitalize on the Millenial dissatisfaction with the status quo?

Frank Advice to the Class of 2012

Bret Stephens gives some frank advice to the class of 2012 in the Wall Street Journal.  bet you never heard anything like this at a commencement ceremony:

Allow me to be the first one not to congratulate you. Through exertions that—let's be honest—were probably less than heroic, most of you have spent the last few years getting inflated grades in useless subjects in order to obtain a debased degree. Now you're entering a lousy economy, courtesy of the very president whom you, as freshmen, voted for with such enthusiasm. Please spare us the self-pity about how tough it is to look for a job while living with your parents. They're the ones who spent a fortune on your education only to get you back— return-to-sender, forwarding address unknown.

Read the whole thing. 

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