Why the GOP Sucks at Courting Millennials: 'The Selfie Vote' Author Kristen Soltis Anderson

The Republican pollster talks to Nick Gillespie about how to win the hearts and minds of a generation that has yet to realize its own political power.

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Why the GOP Sucks at Courting Millennials: 'The Selfie Vote' Author Kristen Soltis Anderson

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"I asked young voters across the country, 'What words come to mind when you think of the Republican Party?' and it was words like close-minded, racist, intolerant, old-fashioned, stuck in the 1950s," says Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson, who is the author of the new book The Selfie Vote: Where Millenials are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up). She adds, "I don't know if Republicans have done enough, recently, to combat this image."

In a conversation with Reason TV's Nick Gillespie, Soltis Anderson talks about the coming political impact of the millennial generation, who outnumber the baby boomers but don't yet vote in their numbers; their unprecedented ethnically diverse demographics; why they eschew "traditional" touchstones of adulthood such as home ownership in favor of entrepreneurial ventures; and how President Obama has left his rivals in the dust when it comes to actively engaging the younger generation on social media.

About 12.55 minutes.

Produced by Anthony L. Fisher. Camera by Meredith Bragg.

Music: "3 Days Until Ressurection feat SkyRider" by S.J. Mellia (http://soundcloud.com/sj-mell)  

Scroll down for downloadable versions and subscribe to Reason TV's YouTube Channel to get automatic updates when new videos go live.

Comments

[foghornleghorn]

I can think of some words to describe my generation.

Dumbasses, childish, don't know shit about history, live in fairy tale land, fucktard, worthless, lazy, narcissistic, narcissistic, narcissistic.

[foghornleghorn]

Also, fuck off regulars, a nasty every now and again poster beat you lazy bastards finally. Time to circle the wagons.

[fleshy wavefunction]

Oh, oh, lemme try!

-Everybody is an activist for everything
-Everybody throws a motherfucking TANTRUM when you try to point out an aspect of reality that is too mean for their little sensibilities
-Nobody thinks anybody should ever be allowed to fail at anything

If anyone wants to see absolutely every single problem with this generation, try being a TA in a couple college classes.

[foghornleghorn]

I saw a commercial recently and I don't remember what is was about. All I remember was this chick and they listed her accomplishments, kinda like a resume, and advocate was listed.

I remember thinking, advocate for what and how is that a fucking resume bullet?

I guess my biggest complaint about my suck ass generation is the everything and everybody is political. Every action you take and every word you say has some political meaning to it. It drives me fucking crazy and if I ever do go completely crazy and you guys see me on the news, you'll know why.

Just call into the news station and say, "I fucking know why this guy went crazy, it was the dreaded millennials."

[Sirius Slayton]

I want politicians to get OUT of everything I do, not to influence it I think you're confused!

[dchang0]

It might turn out to be a good thing that Millennials are so hyper-political, because the way things have been going in the past few decades, the older generation (Baby Boomers) have been robbing the younger generation (Millennials) blind via the political system.

So, in about ten to twenty years when the Millennials are trying to raise teenage kid(s) of their own and possibly buy a house (though they don't seem as interested in buying houses), they'll get hit HARD by the full force of all the gov't debt shoved onto them, and they'll need to know how to politically fight their way out of it.

I can only pray they don't try to steal from future generations just as they were stolen from--that only furthers the Ponzi scheme. But they probably will, because the as-yet-unborn obviously have no political representation (no, I am not referring to pro-life stuff here).

---

I do agree with your sentiment, though. What you are complaining about is identity politics and mob behavior. I think adult responsibilities (such as attempting to raise kids or buy a house) will strip the Millennials of all of that crap swiftly and surely. It's always been easy for the youth to be rebels while they don't have to pay the bills or don't have as many bills to pay.

[foghornleghorn]

I also need to add in the Internet hate mobs. The idea that society has to agree to your actions and if not you will tarred and feathered. Tell me again how millennials are so progressive?

Take the stupid fucking lion thing. I'd a shot that fucker and I woulda fucked his old lady to boot, with a smile on my face. Fuck morality and fuck your stupid sensibilities.

All the progressive millennial has to offer is ideas that have already been tried but they call themselves "innovators". A return to tribalism and the great and glorious Swedish model is all they fucking talk about. No new ideas, no trying to come up with a unique solution, nothing. Just a bunch of shit somebody else has already done.

[Sirius Slayton]

I voted for Ron Paul in 2008 and Gary Johnson in 2012 trying to help usher in new ideas and unique solutions... You, like the rest of your fucking Republican't trolls here are directly responsible for denying both candidates access to State ballots and "official" debates. STFU and go lick George W Bush's boot!

[Sirius Slayton]

Fuck the Neo Cons and the Proggies! Look around you, this board literally became the hate mob you claim to abhor and it's aimed at Millenials. Liberty for all. Don't waste your vote, vote Libertarian!

[Sirius Slayton]

Let's see...

Not an activist for Big Government, PETA, or abortion. But I am for the end of the Drug War, criminal justice reform, and the end of domestic spying. Clearly your first statement is bunk.

I enjoy and welcome debate and the pursuit of learning, knowledge is power. Looks like our second statement is also shit.

Lastly, the banks and auto industry SHOULD HAVE FAILED! Damn, everything you wrote had the stink of generalizing all over it! Epic Fail!

[mad.casual]

don't know shit about history

I don't have a problem with not knowing shit about history. Especially when you're young. Part of the problem I have with millenials is that don't know shit about stuff that happened in exceedingly modern history, even their own lifetimes.

[Tony]

The biggest events in our lifetimes: 9/11, the Iraq/Afghanistan wars, the great recession, and then maybe the election of the first black president.

Yeah we're never ever going to vote Republican.

[foghornleghorn]

And electing the first black president accomplished what? I'll tell you, it accomplished absolutely dick, and was an empty gesture. Electing a guy based upon his skin color is fucking retarded.

9/11 saw the terrorists win because they exposed what the American people really are. A bunch of unprincipled fuckwad cowards that will sell themselves into slavery for a little bit of perceived safety. Fuck ideals, freedom, rights, and the Constitution, that all means absolutely jack and shit.

The "great recession" was just the logical result of years and years of shitty economic policy.

[foghornleghorn]

Also why are you saying "we"? Do you have the proverbial mouse in your pocket because I don't believe you to be the 100% chosen voice of an entire generation.

[mad.casual]

Also why are you saying "we"?

I'm fine with assuming Tony as the singular representative of millenial idiots/idiocy.

We decipher the human genome, Microsoft cedes considerable power to Apple now that iPods and iPhones are things, Google starts attaching ads to searches and takes over the internet, Facebook comes into existence and surpasses Google, NASA spends years steering rovers and satellites around Mars, nearby asteroids, and the last unvisited "planet" in our solar system, broadband replaces dial up and begins rendering popular 'media' obselete, WiFi begins obsoleting hard-wire networks... etc., etc., etc. and Tony says, "*maybe* the election of the first black president" was one of the biggest events.

Pitch perfect, IMO.

[SimonJester]

+1

[Suicidy]

Tony is race obsessed. And an idiot.

[BearOdinson]

Fuck me! You idiot know jack shit about any of these events:

9/11: What did Bush and Cheney blow up the WTC? After all fire can't melt steel amiright?

Iraq: Perhaps a big mistake. But show me any evidence that Bush lied??

Afghanistan: I thought that was the "good war" that we shouldn't go into Iraq because it would take our eye off the ball i.e. Afghanistan

Great Recession: Greed and Bush. Right? Never mind Barney Fucking Frank, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, intimidating banks into giving home loans to poor minorities that couldn't hope to pay them back.

First Black President: This just fucking speaks for itself. If you voted for him 2008, you were a wild-eyed naive optimist. Voted for him in 2012: fucking moron who shouldn't be allowed to dress themselves.

[Tony]

We are also well aware of self-serving Republican lies.

[BearOdinson]

OOOOH you really got me with that one.

[Tony]

I've found it's impossible to disabuse people of right-wing lies once they've bought into them, until and unless they start consulting reliable sources for their information.

Barney Frank did not cause the 2008 financial crisis, you idiot.

[SMcBride]

Well, didn't he change affording housing mandates on the Macs in 1992? I agree you can't lay it all at his feet, but it doesn't sound like he was blameless.

[BearOdinson]

There is indeed plenty of blame to go around for the "great recession". I never blamed him only. But he and those whom he agrees with certainly played their part. In all fairness, though things like TARP, TARP II, "too big to fail" etc. all help to exacerbate or at least extend economic downturns.

But is that all you have?? Reliable sources? You mean Ed Schultz and Paul Krugman?

[Suicidy]

He helped. He was pushing all the bad legislation through congress that helped drive it. Which is a verifiable fact. But the. I'm basing that off real information. Not media matters talking points.

[Harun]

Some senior political editor at huffpo was on Hugh Hewitt and didn't even know Clinton had bombed Iraq.

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/0.....gh-hewitt/

But, hey if the Democrats need ignorance to win elections, I guess they will be happy.

[foghornleghorn]

I have a big problem with it. You can convince people of anything when they have no idea what in the hell you are talking about.

Go ahead Tony, turn that statement into shameless shilling for your super special team without a shred of self awareness.

[mad.casual]

I have a big problem with it.

True enough, I shouldn't say I have no problem with it either, I should say I prioritize any problems about cognizance of history below problems below cognizance of the here and now. I think the latter is a requisite of the former.

[Sirius Slayton]

Which time the U.S. thought it was a good idea to occupy the Middle East in the last 25 years are you referring to? Maybe you mean TARP? The Patriot Act? The TSA? No Child Left Behind? Expansion of Marijuana arrests for simple possession? Or George W Bush infamously "Abandoning free market principles to save the free market system"? Oh, fuck, Republicans voted for all that shit, my bad! *rolls eyes*

[Sirius Slayton]

(Separate comment on purpose) NEWSFLASH!!! Democrats voted for that shit too! End the two party monopoly!

[lap83]

I didn't know you were a baby boomer *runs*

[Suicidy]

What do you expect? The statistics have completely destroyed the government schools.

[Suicidy]

'Statists'. Not statistics.

[Sirius Slayton]

I have just finished rebutting nearly every negative comment ignorantly and collectively thrown my generation. I have saved you for last. Would you like to know why? Because, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[MarkM]

You missed a couple of key characteristics:
skeptical
cynical
distrustful/distrusting
enjoy absurdity/odd humor

There is a strain of republican thought which play directly into these characteristics:
- "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"
- "One way to make sure crime doesn't pay would be to let the government run it."
- "Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."
- "Politicians prefer unarmed peasants."
- "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts."
- "If you put the federal government in charge of the Saraha desert, in 5 years, there would be a shortage of sand."
- "Do not steal - the government does not like competitors!"
- "Government: If you think the problems we create are bad, wait until you see our solutions!"

[JWatts]

What is it with the refrain that Millenials are struggling to pay off their student loans? Sure it's probably reasonably common, but it's certainly not every Millenial. How many Millenial's have more than $10,000 in student debt? Maybe 10% at most. How many have more than $25,000, the cost of a modest new car? Maybe 2%.

[Harun]

They are called narratives for a reason.

And those Oberlin grads with huge loans need you to imagine everyone else is just like them.

[Suicidy]

The most productive thing an Oberlin grad has to offer is a clean sweep of their organs for harvest. Might even pay off those loans.

[ClassicLib-NeverProg]

The only millennials I know with serious student loan debt are people who went to professional school (i.e. law or medicine) or idiots who went to $50,000/year undergrads. Even in law, where employment rates are abysmal, it's not like people are defaulting en masse. Also, I want to punch anyone who complains about their $20,000 in student loans as if that's a big number. Try paying off the six figures that I am currently paying back and then you can bitch.

[Vapourwear]

This. I'm a lawyer who came out 107k in debt. 3 years later down to66k. We have had a household income of 45 or less all of those years. It's not that they can't do it. It's that they can't do it and have a 1700square foot house and a 2015 Mercedes. My wife had debt too. We just paid hers off. My generation does not know what poverty is.

[Overt]

My nieces are going into state college and their bill will be somewhere around $25,000 a year once you include tuition, room and board.

Now, their dad is shouldering a lot of that burden, and they will be working while they go. However, it isn't hard to see that they could get $10k in student debt over 4 years, and that is for kids who are trying to do things right.

Do a search online, and you will find that according to US News, around 70% of 2013 College Graduates left school with an average debt of around $28,000.

So this is not just a hyped up number. It is a real problem.

[Chipwooder]

"Where Millienials Are Leading America", huh? Leading them right into being the biggest bunch of hothouse flower pussies on the face of the earth. We've probably already reached the point at which the stars on the flag should be replaced by bleeding gashes.

[JWatts]

"Where Millienials Are Leading America"

To their parents basement?

[Sirius Slayton]

I'm sorry many of us are being hit with an average of $30,000 in debt just to graduate college, a 9% (current) unemployment rate while the national is an almost healthy 6%, and crippling healthcare costs in what has been widely panned as stealing, yet again, from the young to give to the old. Younger, healthier Americans actually have to pay more for coverage through the Federal Exchange while older, sicker folks pay less, as if to punish healthy decisions and encourage unhealthy ones just to create a new set of guinea pigs, I mean, uh, patients for our for profit hospitals and Big Pharma. Have a hit a nerve yet?

[Sirius Slayton]

Have I hit a nerve yet?*

[Tony]

Millennials are super sensitive, but rightwing old farts never bitch about anything, especially not completely imaginary things.

[Sevo]

Unlike lefty twits who HATE reality.

[Lurker Kurt]

Someone call 911. We've got a serious burn here.

[Tony]

Tell me again how global warming isn't real you fucking moron.

[Sevo]

Tony|8.6.15 @ 10:46AM|#
"Tell me again how global warming isn't real you fucking moron."
You lying piece of shit, show me where I where made that claim. You're so fucking stupid, you can't read.

[BearOdinson]

Its climate change you regressive fascist.

[Will4Freedom]

You're right, Tony. Carbon Dioxide will warm us to a burnt cinder any day now. I'm going someplace cool, like Mars, where the temps are a cool -80 F and the C02 level is a mere 95% as opposed to earth's 0.04%.

Yes, I'm being facetious. I know there's more to making a climate than simply CO2 levels. Do you?

[SMcBride]

It's real. It's physics. The world is getting slightly (and I mean slightly) hotter. But the concern is overblown doomsaying and the proposed progressive remedies are unworkable.

[NotAnotherSkippy]

The only thing you can say is real is radiative transfer. Everything after that is up for debate.

[Remnant Psyche]

That's my problem with the whole thing. I don't doubt AGW is a real issue. But I know enough not to trust anyone who keeps moving back the "point of no return" dates, doomsaying based on nfamously unreliable computer models of infinitely complex systems, and claiming the only solution is... to give the Democrat party exactly what they always say is the solution to everything: "give us more regulatory authority and more money to hand out to third world countries."

If we're fucked, we're fucked. No amount of money given to corrupt, wasteful third world shitholes is going to help in the short term. And in the long term, which maybe we can affect with emissions regulations (but no, we can't, because wthe human world runs on fossil fuels and has no economic incentive to move away from them), our species might not even be here. We should suffer more tyranny now to maybe affect the planet later? Fuck off.

[Suicidy]

Who let you out of your crate? Go to the kitchen and drink a bottle of Drano! Now goddammit!

[Sevo]

I'm just amazed that anyone believes the world is dying to see, oh, "The Night Watch" blocked by one more picture of your mug.

[Will4Freedom]

Bah... Humbug... there's no such thing as Millennials. Ain't nobody that old. Now get off my lawn!

[lap83]

" actively engaging the younger generation on social media."

The only thing more annoying than Millenials is old people trying to figure out how to tweet something on the LinkedIn to "engage" them.

[BearOdinson]

So overall, the message is:

Republicans get more libertarian, and for gods sake, please get laid!

(Which by the way, I am completely down for!)

[Loki]

President Obama has left his rivals in the dust when it comes to actively engaging the younger generation on social media.

So, as long as you "engage them on social media" you can continue to fuck them over with all the same policies as your predacessors. IOW, as long as you buy them dinner first and pretend to pay attention to them you can do whatever fucked up 50 Shades crap that gets your rocks off? Talk about cheap dates.

[Sirius Slayton]

Wow, your generalization is mind numbing. I actually never voted for Obama because I could see through his clever rhetoric. I'll admit once he was elected, I had hopes, but I voted for Ron Paul in 2008 and Gary Johnson in 2012.

[Remnant Psyche]

Good for you. Don't start believing in political saviors now, though.

[Sirius Slayton]

Hello all! I have been a subscriber of Reason magazine for nearly two years now and visit the site at least a few times a day. Well, Reason has inspired me to start writing my own blogs. I plan to write about many topics including, but not limited to: Politics/Civics, Food, Travel, and Movie/TV Series Reviews. My dream is to attract the attention of Reason staff and one day write for them on social issue and politics. By the way, I am 25 and a Millenial. Why doesn't anyone talk about the fact that if we are spoiled, lazy, apathetic, selfish, or stupid it is because our parents raised us that way? After all, as I mention in my first blog, we were the first generation to be told "Everyone Wins! You all get a trophy!" We didn't choose that, the generation prior to us did.

[psCargile]

Here's your trophy for Blog Starting.

[JWatts]

Hey, wait, that's not fair. What about all the Millenials who didn't start a blog? Don't they get anything? /sarcasm

[psCargile]

They get trophies for being quiet.

[Sirius Slayton]

What is it with all the negativity and perpetuation of stereotypes toward Millenials that seems to abound in Reason's comment section? They clearly come from members of generations before mine. Are a majority of you ashamed at the way you raised us and therefor feel the need to blame us for your failures by labeling and mocking us. Rest assured, it is our generation that will soon be in control of not only politics, but by extension, the economy as a whole whether you like it or not.

[psCargile]

Well, you have to understand that the comment section is a landscape of a thousand Alan "Hawkeye Pierce" Aldas.

[mtrueman]

"What is it with all the negativity and perpetuation of stereotypes toward Millenials that seems to abound in Reason's comment section?"

Many if not most of the commenters here are quite happy with the GOP just as it is now. Given the chance, they'd vote the GOP in and the millenials out.

[Sirius Slayton]

If you're happy with the current GOP then you cannot call yourself a Libertarian. They have supported wars, bailouts, the Drug War, and many other policies the Dems have, in some cases, like the Drug War more than the Dems. GTFO of Reason and go TiVo Fox News.

[mtrueman]

"They have supported wars, bailouts, the Drug War..."

You've written the first and only words in this thread remotely critical of the GOP. Nobody else has uttered anything critical of the GOP. Criticism is reserved for the Democrats and the Millenials. If this surprises you it's only because you're a newcomer.

[Sevo]

mtrueman|8.6.15 @ 1:17PM|#
"You've written the first and only words in this thread remotely critical of the GOP."

trueman is a liar and nothing but.
He posts only to see his name on the screen:
mtrueman|5.4.15 @ 12:59AM|#
"[?] What you haven't fathomed is that I'm so morally depraved that my deserved rep here doesn't bother me or interest me in the least. I post for myself; your feelings about me are of no concern.

[Sirius Slayton]

You seem to be a genuine Libertarian among frauds and fuckheads out of the GOP, at least in this thread.

[Remnant Psyche]

I sure hope that wasn't aimed at mtrueman. Because if it was, you haven't been lurking here long enough.

[Sirius Slayton]

It took me less than 24 hours to learn there are, indeed, many Republitards here and it's so uniquely packaged with intense Millenial hatred with no solid, justifiable reason. I've hunted since I was 8, had my first pet at 9, had chores as a teenager including, not limited to: cleaning my room, feeding the chickens, feeding the horses, feeding the rabbits, feeding the dogs, and watering said animals. I grew up on farm and I'm damn proud of it. I learned responsibility through hard work. We bailed hay. We plowed a garden with a horse and plow. We split firewood for the cast iron stove with hammers and wedges. As an adult, I currently work 10-12 hours a day to provide for my wife yet, a majority here wants to say I've not learned responsibility and self-reliance. They want say I've been babied my entire life. They want to assume they fucking know me like they're my creepy next door neighbor or the NSA. I'm sure they are Neo Cons.

[JRS1001]

"What is it with all the negativity and perpetuation of stereotypes toward Millenials that seems to abound in Reason's comment section?"

Well first of all, they aren't "stereotypes" if they are based on fact.
And the negativity is based upon the how incredibly moronic your generation has proven itself to be- trigger warnings, safe zones, censorship on college campuses, the complete inability to function in any meaningful way etc.....

The worst is that members of your generation think that the rest of us should take you seriously and respect you when you have accomplished nothing in your entire lives worth anything at all

[mad.casual]

Rest assured, it is our generation that will soon be in control of not only politics, but by extension, the economy as a whole whether you like it or not.

Don't worry, this head trip wears off after a while. In the meantime enjoy the music.

[jmomls]

*Rest assured, it is our generation that will soon be in control of not only politics, but by extension, the economy as a whole whether you like it or not.*

Money controls politics. Since your generation has none of it and has no chance to amass any in the future due to progressives making all the economic decisions currently, how do you propose to be players in the game? Those of you who do get elected will be beholden to the same ancient, moneyed power-brokers that currently are busy running America into the ground.

[Sirius Slayton]

Wow, you have got to be living under a rock to deny that Millenials already make up nearly half the vote, will soon outnumbered Boomers, and by way of the old fucks dying out and the natural cycle of life, we will be taking political power. This fact has been acknowledged everywhere from Reason's own articles (repeatedly throughout the recent past) to Fox News (think John Stossel or Glenn Beck, who recently called for the legalization of all illicit drugs). Since the message of Liberty is finally starting to gain traction due to what I believe Reason is credited with coining as the "Libertarian Moment," prominent politicians are slowly shifting toward friendly views on our party. They aren't even as shy about saying the word "Libertarian" anymore, but still wanna stay close to their base. So, we get, "I'm Libertarian leaning, I have a streak of Libertarianism, or I'm warming up to the idea of Libertarianism." Unfortunately, many of the old, crusty, irrelevant career Statists still have a majority of the two "major" parties convinced impending Libertarian growth is worth panicking over. The house of cards is falling in on itself and will finally tip within the next few election cycles. The beauty is, you negative nancy fucks can't stop it. We don't need money to simply start taking over posts where old badgers finally fucking keeled over. Anyway, I guess you have to be pretty damn stupid to see that each generariin of children REALLY IS the future.

[Remnant Psyche]

I'm technically a Millennial. Fuck Millennials.

[Sirius Slayton]

Learn to read.Fool.Til then, I'll try to remember to use smaller words.

[mad.casual]

Why doesn't anyone talk about the fact that if we are spoiled, lazy, apathetic, selfish, or stupid it is because our parents raised us that way?

Because on Oct. 15, 1999, we stopped talking about it. Unfortunately, that was two and a half months before your collective stream of "consciousness" began.

[Sirius Slayton]

Feel free to visit my blog if you're interested @ http://siriusslayton.blogspot.com/?m=0

[Loki]

I don't reward blog whores with page views, sorry. /just bustin' chops

[Sirius Slayton]

There it is again. I'm a "blog whore" now because I am passionate about playing an active role in what my government does? You do realize we're on the same team and trying to advance the cause of Liberty, right? I'm just glad Reason's staff doesn't try to belittle us and mock us. Don't be like the "Major Parties" and create division within. Maybe then, Libertarians will begin the era of being taken seriously by a majority of The People.

[JWatts]

"There it is again. I'm a "blog whore" now because I am passionate about playing an active role in what my government does? "

No, you're a blog whore because you posted a "here's a link to my blog" comment. Which hundreds of people have done before you. It's not a knew thing. At the very least, you should have written an informative and on-topic post and then at the end of the comment placed a link to your blog. So, it's contextual and relevant versus just nakedly shilling the product.

[Sirius Slayton]

Also, for the record, I do not plan on spamming by posting a link to my blog 5,000 times. I simply came here because I don't have a shit ton of money to promote my writing and I, apparently, made the mistake of thinking like minded elders would enjoy seeing that someone from my generation advocates for free minds and free markets. Who do you expect carry the torch, so to speak, after you fucking die? Oh, you're not interested in real Liberty or Libertarian ideas gaining widespread attention and acceptance. You just want to shoot your mouth off and laugh at the expense of others for the sake of "bustin' chops". There's a place for that kind of clownery, it's called the GOP. I hear Trump is leading the polls, maybe you could call your local news station and say something more bombastic than him to clinch the Republican nomination for yourself. Tool.

[Loki]

Lighten up, Francis. And you might want to learn how to take little barbs and jabs like that better, or the rest of the commentariat here will chew you up and eat you alive. Believe it or not, I'm one of the nicer ones.

[Sirius Slayton]

Believe it or not, I'm not a very sensitive guy. However, I must admit that seeing my passion be mocked and scolded instead of supported here, amongst other Libertarians, was and is a shock. I suppose maybe it's my fault for not remembering that Libertarians are humans too and that they, in general, often don't stand united for causes as much as they divide one another.

[JRS1001]

get used to it

Not everyone is going to like you or your ideas(**gasp!*** shock!!). Nobody owes you anything

[bigac]

Junior, you're not a special snowflake. If you take any lessons from this place, please let it be that. It's fantastic that you're trying to put your thoughts into writing to share with others. Once you've had some experience and have been around a bit, they might even be worth reading. If you keep at it, one day you'll be able to look back and see how you progressed over the years, and you might actually have something to say. In the meantime, as JWatts said above, blog whoring doesn't really interest anybody. Leave the link at the end of something relevant, or you're just asking for people to leave this corner of the Internet to come and pay attention to you. I'm sure you've seen the term "narcissist" used repeatedly to describe millenials. You've unironically aided that stereotype with your actions.

[Sirius Slayton]

Look around you, read all the comments I've left. If you still think I'm a narcissist stop reading this because YOU are part of problem in the relic of "The Establishment."

[Remnant Psyche]

In all honesty, you come across as someone filled with youthful narcissism and naivety. That's fine. We all deal with those things and grow out of them with time. You also seem--no insult stated or implied, I'm just being honest--like you might be on the spectrum.

None of these things are necessarily negatives, and they certainly aren't irredeemable sins. But if you're going to communicate to people on the internet through writing, you might want to cultivate some sense of self-awareness. And try to offer something people want to read, because you're not special, and nobody is going to care about what you say otherwise.

It's also possible you might be a troll, in which case your shtick isn't going to work for long. In that case, enjoy it while it lasts.

[psCargile]

If you want to write for Reason, this is the baptism of fire. You'll need a thicker skin and learn to shrug off shit. There's a price for earning trophies.

[Sirius Slayton]

Trust me, the initial shock is gone. That's all there will be. I will now go about my day without caring I wasn't accepted here and it won't stop my passion or drive to inform the masses that there is a better choice than the jokesters and frauds we call "major parties". Liberty will win and I won't stop until it does.

[Saurocet]

Go about your day Without Caring? I don't get it. You posted, and you caused a ruckus. Isn't that the point of writing? Damn, people showed interest in what you wrote. Be proud. You had impact.

You know, this is how the Baby Boomers screwed you Millenials over. While the Boomers were handing you all trophies and patting you on the head, they were stealing you blind through Medicare and SSA. And you liked it!

[Sirius Slayton]

Ok, your comment is so stupid it's special. As a child, I found it abhorrent to be told a score would not be kept because "we were all winners". I wanted to compete. As a result, my brothers and I often wrestled until it became a fist fight. I later ran track and wrestled in High School and won many awards because I was number one in personal skill and talent. This should be sufficient to dispel the liabless statement that I "liked being patted on the head and given trophies", but I shouldn't have to write this. You were there, after all, how else would you know what I liked and disliked as a child? Lastly, I will say that Medicare and Social Security are literally stealing from the young to subsidize the old. Without reform or abolishment, taxes will have to be raised on my generation just to pay the wave of Boomers about to hit retirement age. Why isn't anyone here calling THAT narcissistic and entitled? By the way, they almost always live long enough to "earn" more than they actually paid into the system during their working years, hence having to raise taxes on the young.

[Sirius Slayton]

I will say that after over a year of lurking in the comments here, I know without a doubt many of you would agree with what I wrote for my first blog, but ignorance is bliss, right? We barely need media to ignore or tear our party and members of it apart, we do just fine with that amongst ourselves, apparently.

[JRS1001]

one of the reasons i never became a writer when I was younger was that in order to be a good one it it necessary to actually have lived through "learning experiences".

You might want think about BEFORE you think that you have something to say that hasn't already been discussed before.

[Sirius Slayton]

Do the words talent, passion, or education mean anything to you? Stop self-projecting your shame onto me.

P.S. It's never too late to start writing!

[Remnant Psyche]

You sound like the "protagonist" of the film Nightcrawler.

[Suellington]

I largely agree with it. But come on man, you are proving the point that many Millenials are too thin skinned and expect a participation trophy. Shake it off, toughen up a bit, keep posting here and keep taking criticism. That is awesome that you are into libertarian thought, just don't expect the commentariat here to jump for joy at your words. They are doing the job your elders should have done when you were growing up. With time maybe you will give them thanks for that.

[ClassicLib-NeverProg]

Yeah Sirius is a prime example of what is wrong with my generation. Jesus Christ this dude needs to man up.

[Sirius Slayton]

Way to get on the bandwagon, Obama taught you well. I voted for Ron Paul by the way.

[Hank Phillips]

OK anonymous, I'll bite: what blawg izzat?

[Hank Phillips]

That's the spirit! I visited the blog and was favorably impressed. I do not understand my son's generation, a possibility "we" joked about when we were 18 in the Haight and out to change the coercive part of the world. Some here are infiltrators from hostile ideologies or parties, others are debunkers of those same frauds. Please understand that we have contentious backgrounds, expect to he sabotaged by the enemies of freedom and are better at debating to show the adversary is an impostor than at agreeing with assertions. Let's face it. If people came here looking for yes men to agree with, things would get dumb and boring really quick. Observe how callously we are dissed by people who want only the chance to hold a gun to your head and reach into your pocket for your own good, and the pattern starts to unfold. Next thing we're teasing someone for ordering milk instead of whiskey, all pleased at the chance to be gruff and loveable.

[Sirius Slayton]

I followed your advice and upon reading it, also remembered reading "Hardball With Chris Matthews" for AP Civics in High School. Chapters 7 and 10: "Never let a shot go unanswered." And "Hang a lantern on your problem.", respectively.

[Remnant Psyche]

We'll be fine without your blog. Convince us otherwise, without the obnoxiously whiny snark. Or just fuck off.

[rebekah567]

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[weyasowici]

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[JRS1001]

How does anyone expect Generation Stupid to have the mental and emotional maturity to understand libertarian/conservative ideas?
These ideas have small appeal because it actually takes a lot of maturity to take on personal responsibility and very few people in this nation (particularly the young) want to be responsible for anything.
How we ended up with Generation Stupid is that since the 1960s parents have been abdicating any parental responsibility - especially feminists and single mothers- spawning a group of moronic narcissistic children. Throw in socialist government education and left wing Hollywood entertainment (indoctrination) and you end up with kids who want a gold medal for tying their shoes correctly.

It is no wonder that these twits cannot relate to anyone who is actually intelligent and well educated.

[ClassicLib-NeverProg]

I'm a millenial and I absolutely hate my generation. With that said, isn't the real "Generation Stupid" the generation that created this mess that my generation inherited (and, admittedly, is only making worse)? Shouldn't millenials be called "Generation Ignorant" or "Generation Unfortunate"? The blame here lies not in the millenials but in the generation that created our dumb, immature and irresponsible asses. These idiots that are supposedly my peers are the result of stupidity more than anything else.

[Eric]

Shorter JRS1001:

"GIT OFF MAH LAWN!!"

*while furiously shaking a Gadsden Flag

[Sirius Slayton]

Yep,I'm so stupid I just rebutted nearly every negative comment thrown at my generation here. Due to your narrow minded generalizations and stereotypes, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[Sirius Slayton]

Not that I support Socialism, I don't, and it is clear you're a Republitard because you are saying we have had a "Socialist government and "leftist Hollywood propaganda" for decades, in fact, since you are implying that I'm stupid because of growing up in it, that must mean we adopted a Socialist government in 1989. Oh, wait, that was when we were busy getting the Berlin Wall down and about to start bombing our way to "Democracy within the next few years. We DID have police and fire departments, Social Security, and Medicare...all Socialist program by nature. Maybe you're confused, gramps, let's get you a glass of water and a sleeping pill.

[Lord at War]

and it is clear you're a Republitard because you are saying we have had a "Socialist government and "leftist Hollywood propaganda" for decades
[...]
We DID have police and fire departments, Social Security, and Medicare...all Socialist program by nature.

So, what he said was actually true, and not just "Republitard"?

By the way- when I grew up, we didn't have a police dept., the fire dept. was volunteer, and Medicare didn't exist. Also, Socialist InSecurity taxes were less than 1/3 of today.

Keep displaying your talent and education.

[Hank Phillips]

Owning a home means fattening up assets for looters to confiscate through prohibitionist forfeiture "sharing". The curves on that show asset forfeiture was a leading indicator in the Bush crash of 2007. Surely nobody expects the new generation to be so blind and stupid as to blank that out! Religious fanatic prohibitionists slashing at sullen collectivist looters has been the status quo since 1932. The current round of elections is more of the same--except for the addition of libertarians--the only new party these past two centuries.

[Flowingwords213]

This comment thread is exactly why young people like millenials are so averse to side with Republicans or the like (including libertarians.) So much just outright hate for an entire generation (which someone pointed out, was raised by the ones complaining about them.)

[Sirius Slayton]

For those of you who keep saying I expect a trophy, please go back and read what I said. I specifically said my generation was given them and we didn't want or control that. You literally ignored what I said. I did not come here for a pat on the back you fucking morons, I simply said I was taken aback that a Libertarian comment board would collectively attack on of their own. It's no skin off my back though. I will stay active here and I will continue to post blogs. I will teach my children what it means to fight for Liberty. As far as saying I need to live experience before I write, you can take your head out of your ass now,you don't know me or the life I've lived. How could you possibly know of the experiences I have gained? I've read enough to see that many in the generations before me fit the same bill they want to saddle me with. FlowingWords213 took the words right out of my mouth.

[Sirius Slayton]

Also, in hindsight, I should have indeed commented with a relevant and coherent opinion on the article before posting a link to my blog. However, that was less about me being narcissistic and more about me having just finished a few bong rips and being overly excited to share my writing with an audience I had hoped would be more welcoming and supportive than that of Facebook. (Full disclosure: The in-laws are baby boomers and frequently deride me as a careless, sinful, selfish loon, much like many of you have in not so many words. Just not for the same reason. They attack me for being a Libertarian and tell me I'm destroying tradition and values because I want the government out of my bedroom, bathroom, backyard, phone conversations, emails, and text messages. At least they have a fear of changing familiarity of the status quo to explain their hostility. Those of you attacking me here have nothing more than what generation I was born into. This is why racism still exsists. Narrow minded fucks.)

[Remnant Psyche]

Racism "still exists" because it is an evolutionary adaptation. Our species no longer benefits from natural selection, but getting rid of instinctive, genetic tribalism would entail no evolutionary benefit anyway.

There is no reason for racism to stop existing and there can be no rational expection it will stop existing. Even if it is 2015.