Problem solved: Millennials are disenchanted, not disengaged.
These resounding words from Morgan Smith, president of the nonpartisan Roosevelt Institute chapter at the University of Denver, are written to correct society’s preconceived notions about Millennials and get to the real issues important to young voters.
An article in The Denver Post by Joey Bunch, which calls Smith a "Millennial leader," covered Smith’s essay titled, “Engaging Young Coloradans in 2016.” The article centers on Denver’s housing market, and how without action, people will be priced out of their own hometown.
From Smith’s essay:
Skyrocketing housing costs in Denver are pricing out students, recent graduates, and fledgling families from finding a home to rent – let alone buy – in one of the nation’s most popular cities. Even though the market slightly cooled late last year, Denver is poised to have another historic increase in home prices. Already, rent is averaging over a third of a resident’s income. Citizens of Denver are faced with a stark reality: absent new policies to deal with the rising costs of living, they’ll be priced out of their own hometown.
According to the article in The Denver Post, the national organization is releasing a report called “Next Generation Blueprint for 2016,” which aims to elevate the discussion of issues important to millennial voters.
With or without Millennials, politicians are making moves. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic hopeful and former Secretary of State, recently announced a sweeping economic agenda that includes some major housing reforms.
Smith’s essay calls Millennials and officials to action saying:
The data shows that less effort is made to reach us as voters, and even when candidates do try to connect, we’re only asked for our votes, not our ideas. We’re active in our communities, but sidelined for the decisions that shape them. It’s a problem that creates a vicious cycle of low voter turnout and engagement. It matters that we’re not a part of writing the rules that shape our lives.
That’s why we’ve decided to demonstrate that while we’re disenchanted, we’re not disengaged.
Another Millennial that reaches a large young audience recently explained the one thing that mortgages are missing to attract Millennials, FOMO, also known as fear of missing out.
Benny Johnson, the creative director of the Independent Journal website, a news feed for Millennials with a penchant for viral hits, said, "mortgages don't give me FOMO."
