http://qvisory.org/posts/the-progressive-generation-how-young-americans-view-economic-issues-and-why-it-matter.xml Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:51:12 GMT http://qvisory.org/posts/the-progressive-generation-how-young-americans-view-economic-issues-and-why-it-matter#comment_1606 I can't help but be surprised by these statistics! It seems to me that, with more than 40% of their paychecks going to taxes already and responding that money and economic concerns are chief in their minds, young Americans would shy away from supporting programs that will increase the already ridiculous amount of taxation they endure. I once heard on a radio program that we work three months out of the year just to pay for taxes alone. Why would young Americans volunteer for more? Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:51:12 GMT http://qvisory.org/posts/the-progressive-generation-how-young-americans-view-economic-issues-and-why-it-matter#comment_1606 Jackie Meyers http://qvisory.org/posts/the-progressive-generation-how-young-americans-view-economic-issues-and-why-it-matter#comment_1733 Thanks for your comment. We wrote this paper (http://zedc3test.techprogress.org/issues/2008/05/pdf/progressive_generation.pdf) because we too found the statistics noteworthy. Our report didn't attempt to tease out what is causing the unique views of the Millennial generation, but we did mention a few possible explanations. For instance, it is possible that the difficult financial situation of young adults today and the relatively bleak economy that they are coming of age in (rising costs of education, healthcare, energy and other necessities along with stagnant wages, fewer benefits, and increasing debt levels) compared to recent generations is driving their progressivism. To respond to your question, perhaps young Americans have decided that the benefits of using tax revenue to pay for government programs and services such as universal healthcare and increased support for education outweigh the costs of making individuals shoulder these expenses on their own. For example, Millennials have come of age amid a raging health care debate, and are the most likely age group to lack health care coverage, which might make them feel that the benefits of a universal healthcare system outweigh the cost of a potential tax increase. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:21:34 GMT http://qvisory.org/posts/the-progressive-generation-how-young-americans-view-economic-issues-and-why-it-matter#comment_1733 AmandaLogan