Dear Millennials: President Obama is Failing You

Millennials love him because he’s made them hopeful. They have his back because he’s putting their issues first.

That’s the conventional wisdom of President Obama’s relationship with America’s millennial generation. But as is often the case with conventional wisdom, it’s far from true.

The Harvard Institute of Politics released their annual poll of millennials (18 to 29 year olds) last week. The numbers paint a clear picture: In the age of Obama, millennials aren’t feeling very hopeful.

Polling director John Della Volpe writes, "At no time since President Obama was elected in 2008 have we reported less trust, more cynicism, and more partisanship among our nation’s youngest voters."

Frustration with the state of the economy could easily explain this. For 55 percent of millennials, the economy is the top priority. The number is 59 percent among those at four-year colleges. 

But the president’s economic policies aren’t winning over loyal young fans. Only 42 percent approve of his handling of the economy; 56 percent disapprove.

On the related issue of federal spending, which fuels the economy-destabilizing national debt, only 36 percent approve; 62 percent disapprove.

Healthcare numbers follow the trend: 45 percent approve; 53 percent disapprove. But that’s likely going to get worse with time as the implementation of Obamacare stands to stick young people with the biggest bill. 

A February survey of insurers found that under Obamacare an insurance plan for young healthy men could cost nearly three times (yes, three times!) as much, and young people will now have no choice whether or not to purchase insurance. The government will coerce them to do so or to pay a penalty tax. 

As Politico reported, the survey shows "the premium for a relatively bare-bones policy for a 27-year-old male nonsmoker on the individual market would be nearly 190 percent higher." 

The Washington Post’s resident fact-checker has said young adults will "have sticker shock when they see what happens to their premiums starting in 2014."

Even HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has admitted that younger Americans could pay much higher rates. For healthy young Americans especially, the "Affordable Care Act" isn’t so affordable; they’re footing the bill for others.

Retiring Democrat Senator Max Baucus has called Obamacare a "train wreck." And, clearly, he’s right. It’s bad enough that Democrats in Congress have attempted to exempt themselves from Obamacare’s regulations. As young people look at the burdensome costs they’ll face in the next few years, they’re going to want an exemption too. 

To millennials reading this, here’s the point: President Obama’s agenda is costing you dearly. Many of you helped elect him, but he’s not returning the favor. You will pay extra for Obamacare and see fewer jobs and fewer hours because of the law — and get nothing in return. Others will benefit from what you’re giving up.

All this in an economy where you’ve already borne the brunt of the recession — and in the face of a massive federal debt left to your generation.

It’s no wonder you’re feeling cynical.

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