.
With Election Day looming tomorrow, millennials are still stuck in the middle of casting their votes or not voting at all. Millennials, those ages 18-34 years of age, are 31% of the voting electorate and are now the largest generation superseding the Baby Boomers. Currently Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton is polling at 47.2% and Republican Nominee Donald J. Trump is polling at 44.2% of the popular vote (as of 1:30 PM EST on November 7, 2016); the millennial vote will be significant.
However, millennials might have a different approach to voting than past generations. Millennials are looking to have a president that will meet these top 3 concerns: jobs and the economy, healthcare, and college affordability.
When it comes to jobs and the economy, millennials tend to agree this should be the priority. As of October 2016, the unemployment rate is at 4.9%, similar to statistics from previous years. For college graduates, the unemployment rate is surprisingly low at 2.1%. Many millennial college students seem to think otherwise; those with a college degree are less likely to be employed than those without a degree. Knowing the statistics of unemployment, both candidates have made their stance. Clinton would like to increase minimum wage, give tax cuts to middle class and small businesses, and raise short-term capital gains taxes for those who earn $400,000 per year. On the other hand, Trump would like to impose tariffs on China, Mexico, and other trade partners, lower income and corporate tax rates, and cut spending by eliminating the Department of Energy and Education.
Healthcare has been another major concern in the United States. The percentage of uninsured millennials has decreased by 11%. In 2013 the percentage of uninsured millennials was 23%. The trend is seen to be positive, but the percentage of the uninsured still needs improvement. To progress healthcare, Clinton plans to allow “Americans to enroll in Medicare when they turn 55, increasing funding for autism and Alzheimer’s disease research and treatment, and legalizing prescription drug imports from Canada.” Trump’s stance is very different. He does not want Obamacare and he wants to reform “healthcare based on ‘free market principles,’ and easing regulations on overseas drug providers.”
Finally, affording college is more expensive than ever. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “over the past three decades, tuition at public four-year colleges has more than doubled, even after adjusting for inflation.” The student loan amount that was owed back after receiving a bachelor’s degree more than doubled to nearly $27,000 between the years of 1992 and 2012. While still increasing each year, college expenses will create a barrier with middle-class families and those who are willing to strive for making their dreams become a reality. Clinton plans to put the “New College Compact” into play where more than half of the funds will go towards grants to states and colleges. Sam Clovis, Trump’s higher education advisor, said Trump’s campaign is planning to “fight proposals for debt-free public higher education and tuition-free public higher education.”
The millennial generation has an awesome responsibility on November 8, 2016. We will decide the next four to eight years, and with that Supreme Court Justices and trade policy. We will literally build this country for the next generation. Let our voices be heard. Millennials do matter and we will make a difference. So vote, and make your decision wisely.
Editor’s Note: Every American registered voter has a responsibility to stand in line and choose the next President of the United States tomorrow, November 8, 2016. To find your polling place, click here: https://g.co/kgs/ompiAk. Share your Election Day stories with us on social media, @diplocourier #election2016
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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#MillennialsMatter2016
United States of America Election Day. Vote badges. Voting.
November 7, 2016
With Election Day looming tomorrow, millennials are still stuck in the middle of casting their votes or not voting at all. Millennials, those ages 18-34 years of age, are 31% of the voting electorate and are now the largest generation superseding the Baby Boomers. Currently Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton is polling at 47.2% and Republican Nominee Donald J. Trump is polling at 44.2% of the popular vote (as of 1:30 PM EST on November 7, 2016); the millennial vote will be significant.
However, millennials might have a different approach to voting than past generations. Millennials are looking to have a president that will meet these top 3 concerns: jobs and the economy, healthcare, and college affordability.
When it comes to jobs and the economy, millennials tend to agree this should be the priority. As of October 2016, the unemployment rate is at 4.9%, similar to statistics from previous years. For college graduates, the unemployment rate is surprisingly low at 2.1%. Many millennial college students seem to think otherwise; those with a college degree are less likely to be employed than those without a degree. Knowing the statistics of unemployment, both candidates have made their stance. Clinton would like to increase minimum wage, give tax cuts to middle class and small businesses, and raise short-term capital gains taxes for those who earn $400,000 per year. On the other hand, Trump would like to impose tariffs on China, Mexico, and other trade partners, lower income and corporate tax rates, and cut spending by eliminating the Department of Energy and Education.
Healthcare has been another major concern in the United States. The percentage of uninsured millennials has decreased by 11%. In 2013 the percentage of uninsured millennials was 23%. The trend is seen to be positive, but the percentage of the uninsured still needs improvement. To progress healthcare, Clinton plans to allow “Americans to enroll in Medicare when they turn 55, increasing funding for autism and Alzheimer’s disease research and treatment, and legalizing prescription drug imports from Canada.” Trump’s stance is very different. He does not want Obamacare and he wants to reform “healthcare based on ‘free market principles,’ and easing regulations on overseas drug providers.”
Finally, affording college is more expensive than ever. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “over the past three decades, tuition at public four-year colleges has more than doubled, even after adjusting for inflation.” The student loan amount that was owed back after receiving a bachelor’s degree more than doubled to nearly $27,000 between the years of 1992 and 2012. While still increasing each year, college expenses will create a barrier with middle-class families and those who are willing to strive for making their dreams become a reality. Clinton plans to put the “New College Compact” into play where more than half of the funds will go towards grants to states and colleges. Sam Clovis, Trump’s higher education advisor, said Trump’s campaign is planning to “fight proposals for debt-free public higher education and tuition-free public higher education.”
The millennial generation has an awesome responsibility on November 8, 2016. We will decide the next four to eight years, and with that Supreme Court Justices and trade policy. We will literally build this country for the next generation. Let our voices be heard. Millennials do matter and we will make a difference. So vote, and make your decision wisely.
Editor’s Note: Every American registered voter has a responsibility to stand in line and choose the next President of the United States tomorrow, November 8, 2016. To find your polling place, click here: https://g.co/kgs/ompiAk. Share your Election Day stories with us on social media, @diplocourier #election2016
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
