Dakota Beacon

Who are Millenials and why do they matter?

Generally speaking the Millenials, or Generation Y, are the demographic cohort following Generation X. Although there is no precise start date, demographers typically use birth years varying between the 1980s and the early 2000s.

Millenials inherited America’s culture as shaped by the Baby Boomers and Generation X. As such, they have been heavily influenced by liberal and progressive Democrats to the point that they know little other than this one point of view.

Millenials have been sheltered from any conservative point of view in public schools, liberal churches and institutions controlled by liberals and progressives. The mainstream media has reinforced this point of view. Millenials have been told that they cannot succeed without help. In liberal parlance that means government help. Growing government with program after program is meant to take care of Millenials like the children liberals presume them to be.

Ironically, it is frustration, disappointment and lack of trust in the government process and bureaucracy at all levels that typify the sentiment of many Millenials. On the one hand they are dissatisfied with their lot in life, but on the other hand they do not want to let go of the government security blanket. They don’t like what they see but fail to identify their dissatisfaction with the liberal and progressive policies they grew up with. That is little surprise since they have never been confronted with any meaningful alternative – such as conservatism. The media and public schools have seen to that.

What is this conservatism of which Millenials have been denied knowledge? Conservatism is about everybody's life getting better. Conservatism is about everybody being respected. Conservatism is colorblind. Conservatism has nothing to do with identity politics. Conservatism is rooted in love of people and high expectations of everyone. Conservatism believes that everybody, if things are moved out of their way, can be much better and can accomplish much more than they think they can. It is the freedom for everyone to rise to excellence.

America is an exceptional nation. America is exceptional not because our people are better than everyone else but because we have created an environment of freedom that allows and encourages Americans to be the best they can be.

So, who is going to tell Millenials about conservatism? Will it be the mainstream media? Don’t count on it. Most people understand that the mainstream media is biased against conservatives just as they are biased against Christianity and old fashion morality. Nevertheless, knowledge alone that the media is biased, selective and unfair toward conservatives has proven ineffective. Pointing out media hypocrisy and unfair treatment of conservatives remains ineffective in persuading people to change their minds. It seems as though many people understand the mistreatment of conservatives by the media but still they listen to and are influenced by that same media.

Republicans offer a classic negative example. They are willing to go on Good Morning America, Face the Nation or other TV news programs knowing full well that they will be mistreated if they appear conservative. Accommodating the media is like accepting an invitation for an interview by a Hillary Clinton campaign consultant! It never helps conservative Republican candidates. Solution? Just don’t attend. There are plenty of news outlets in the alternative media that will give fair treatment and Millenials invariably tune in.

It is challenging to come up with an alternative means of reaching the American people in general and Millenials in particular. One way might be through conservative Republican candidates some of whom can clearly articulate conservatism. They can go over the heads of the mainstream media and must not be afraid to do so.

Many Millenials would support conservatism because even now a large number of them live their lives conservatively or want to. Some candidates who are truly conservative, who don't need a teleprompter when they speak, don't need note cards, don't need advisors to tell them what they believe, a person who is a genuine conservative in his heart and mind, and can articulate conservatism is the best tool for leading Millenials. This is why conservative elected politicians and candidates need to be fearless in their conservatism.

On the other hand, for Republicans to malign conservatives makes them their own worst enemy. The last thing Millenials need to hear is one more putdown of conservatives.

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at P. O. Box 337, Stanley, ND 58784 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).