Emily Ekins Talks Millennials on Fox News, America's News HQ
Millennials "…like free markets, are social liberals, but fiscal centrists."
In the interview I discuss the latest Reason-Rupe survey and report on millennials, (18-29 year olds). I explain their mixed economic issue positions: how they endorse free markets and many fiscally conservative policies, but also favor government action in several key areas.
Millennials share some fiscally conservative positions:
- Millennials favor reforming Social Security—73 percent favor private accounts, and 51 percent continue to support even if it means cutting Social Security benefits for current and future retirees.
- 64% Say cutting government spending by 5 percent would help the economy
- 59% say cutting taxes would help the economy
- 57% prefer smaller government, providing fewer services, with low taxes
When millennials learn they will become responsible for paying for things their support for large government flips, and a majority say they want a smaller government.
But millennials also want government to take action in several key areas:
- 69% want government to guarantee all Americans access to health insurance
- 51% have a favorable view of the Affordable Care Act
- 7 in 10 say government should guarantee housing, food, and a minimum income
- 66% say raising taxes on the wealthy would help the economy
- 58% say government should spending more on assistance to the poor
Millennials came of a politically impressionable age during or in the aftermath of the Great Recession, which has left a third under- or unemployed, and a third living at home. While they favor the free market system 2 to 1 over a government managed economy, they simply aren't sure if the free market system drives income mobility.
To learn more about millennials, check out Reason-Rupe's new report.