This article will involve a number of ‘assumptions.’ Generally, I am a fact person, but nothing about this campaign season has been based on statistics, or common sense. I may be proven a complete idiot, but the possibilities are endless, and if nothing else, this could be fun.

Post WWII, baby boomers have been the largest population in the United States. This is no longer true. Millennials now outnumber all population demographics in the nation. These young men and women will soon be in control of our nation. Presently, they have the power to make changes for the future of their country.

A large number of Bernie Sanders followers are millennials; 78 percent claim that they support the Independent Senator from Vermont. More importantly, they support his ideas; breaking up the large banks, controlling Wall Street, and the establishment of Democratic Socialism.

Millennials can change the outcome of elections if they go to the polls in large numbers. The candidates they support must represent the majority of the American people, and deny corporate influence.

Millennials do not vote for candidates who flood the airwaves with television ads; they don’t watch broadcast television. They search the internet for stories they choose to read. They are more concerned with action than loud rhetoric which contains no substance.

While baby boomers consider issues, such as religion, abortion, and same-sex marriage important when choosing the man or woman they will vote for, millennials discount them.

Millennials tend not to align themselves with any religion, and individual freedoms are the focus of their belief system. They believe in women’s rights, and fail to understand opposition for any two people to have the right to live and love as they choose.

Millennials are mostly Independents; they are less likely to be ‘joiners,’ and make their decisions based on performance.

Another increasing bloc of voters are single women. Women are returning to universities and colleges into their 30’s; records reveal that for the first time in history, the number of women attending colleges outnumber their male counterparts. Aware that those we elect will have an effect on their future, they are arriving at the polls in greater numbers.

Both of these groups are unlikely to vote for either Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. They align more closely with Democratic candidates. The question is; will Bernie Sanders’ supporters vote for Hillary Clinton. Although it remains to be seen, I believe that most will. She agrees with Sanders on more issues than they disagree. In addition, Sanders will ask his supporters to vote for Hillary if she receives the nomination to guarantee a defeat for the Republican candidate.

Those who are in my age group must face the truth; millennials are the future, and we are the past. They are more informed because they access more information through the internet and refuse to be influenced by FOX Noise or MSNBC. They refuse to watch television, and therefore are not influenced by the proffering of anger and hatred.

These two groups can change our nation in a single election; they have the power. Because they will seek the most qualified candidate, and not vote for parties, knowledgeable candidates, and politicians who will work for the American people and not for their personal ambitions, will be elected.

I can only hope.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of shakey1694

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