Disastrous Tax Bill Exposes Neoliberal Attempts To Hijack The Millennial Narrative

On December 2, 2017, Senate Republicans pushed a nearly $1.5 trillion tax bill, described by Bernie Sanders as one of the “great robberies in U.S. history.” The bill’s long term effects point to a massive wealth re-distribution to the top 1 percent through large tax breaks for the very wealthy, raising taxes on millions of middle-class families (the Senate package would leave half of taxpayers facing higher levies by 2027), leaving 13 million more Americans at risk of losing health insurance by 2027, and raising the deficit (something Republican elites often rail against, but seem to forget when it’s wheeling and dealing time) by as much as $1 trillion.

In what could’ve been an episode of Black Mirror, thousands of Americans watched C-SPAN’s live feed as hordes of costumed politician-puppets rushed to appease each other, and their donors, through this historic tax hike — the largest U.S. tax overhaul since Ronald Reagan’s presidency. And while economists and various agencies continue to voice concerns over the disastrous effects of the tax bill on working families, dispelling decades of worn off trickle down justifications, there is one unlikely segment of supporters who don’t seem to mind the bill’s effects to working class families — ”millennial” organizations and individuals promoting trickle down economics.

I am sure these “millennial-led” organizations have their reasons to support the bill, whether it is their funding sources, their upbringing, their economic status, ideology, and so on. I am sure they have a list of alternative facts and sources saying the bill is very, very beautiful. And let’s not forget that one third of those 18-to-29 years old voted for Trump last year — 46 percent of young white males and 33 percent of young white females supported the Donald.

However, these organizations don’t have the right to speak for the tens of millions of people who fall into the millennial category. In fact, their arguments in support of the bill, because it “benefits young Americans,” in a sea of nonpartisan organizations and economists who think otherwise, is nothing short of a fraud.

Their use of the “millennial” label, which is itself a fictitious “chopping and screwing” of the U.S. population, exposes such organizations’ hijacking of young Americans’ narrative to engineer support for Trump’s policies.Simply put, these individuals and organizations use their “millennial” or “young” card to peddle trickle down economics through appointing themselves as representatives of the 80 million people who fall into the category.

I call it ageism in reverse — instead of stereotyping of, and discrimination against, individuals or groups on the basis of their age, such organizations and individuals use age as a basis for their own self-interest.Here’s a list of some of these individuals and organizations, along with their reasons to support Trump’s “Christmas present to the American people:”“Long overlooked, millennials get boost from GOP tax plans“

Jason Dent, CEO, GenFKD

“Proposed tax reform will help millennials make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality by significantly reducing and simplifying the small business tax burden. The House tax plan will reduce the small business tax rate to just 9 percent on the first $75,000 of taxable income, a 40-percent cut from the current 15-percent rate.”

“But overall, millennials are big winners from proposed tax reform. Legislators should put aside partisan politics to recognize the much-needed relief it offers this generation and pass it.”

“GenFKD is equipping millennials with the skills and education necessary to create and lead the “new economy.” Founded in 2013 as a financial literacy organization, GenFKD is growing into an organization that’s revolutionizing American higher education. Constituting the most educated, indebted generation to date, millennials have been misled by a higher education system unwilling to take responsibility for post-graduate outcomes.”

“Carrie Sheffield on Why Young Americans Deserve Tax Reform”
Generation Opportunity

“Millennials — we have created the most innovative and entrepreneurial class ever seen in human history. We’ve created innovations like Airbnb, like Uber, and like Facebook. We created all these things to make life better for everyone. These tax reforms will create more revenue, more growth and more opportunity for everyone — especially for my generation.”

“How the New Tax Reform Bill Benefits Millennials”
Generation Opportunity

“The new House tax reform plan — The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 — features many positive provisions to boost the economy and unrig the system. But there are a few that young Americans should be particularly excited about.”

“Why millennials should get behind Trump’s tax reform”
David Barnes, policy director at Generation Opportunity

“This generation is struggling to keep pace with previous generations who were able to live out their American Dream, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Young people should get behind this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our tax code. It will go a long way toward leveling the playing field to that our tax laws treat everyone the same, while improving the lives of all Americans, especially younger ones.”

“Generation Opportunity advances policy change, holds policymakers accountable, fights for opportunity, and defends the freedoms of young Americans. We leverage a robust grassroots network of 18–34 year olds, enabling them to create opportunity and prosperity through a free society. From boots on the ground to cutting-edge technology, we empower young people to drive progress for themselves and our nation.”

“Millennial Policy Center Statement on House and Senate Tax Bills”
Millennial Policy Center

“The Senate version keeps the mortgage interest deduction intact, institutes a new paid leave entitlement, and is a day late and a dollar short on the corporate tax rate cuts, waiting until 2019 to let them kick in. Taken together, this doesn’t strike us as real tax reform. It is something else.”

“As Millennial policy analysts, we are closely examining what tax reform means for our generation and, therefore, for the future of the country. What we are seeing on the House side needs revisions, but it is arguably a step at reform. We hope that, as the Senate proceeds with its process, it will move steadily toward meaningful, lasting change with realized benefits.”

“This is why we exist: the Millennial Policy Center is here to fundamentally reframe the policy debate among Millennials — to promote solutions that harness freedom, choice, and the unlimited potential of each and every individual.”

“Millennials can be thankful for the GOP’s tax reform proposal”
Abigail Marone, Americans For Tax Reform

“If you identify as one of those who can’t afford to buy a home for your dog, you might be wondering if there is any way to improve your economic situation. Yes, there is. It’s called tax reform. Congressional Republicans are working on passing it as you read this article and it’s going to deliver the economic boost all millennials need.”

“Americans for Tax Reform opposes all tax increases as a matter of principle.We believe in a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The government’s power to control one’s life derives from its power to tax. We believe that power should be minimized.”“Perhaps the biggest winner from the GOP tax reform bill? Millennials“

Mattie Duppler Springer, senior fellow for fiscal policy at the National Taxpayers Union

“It is perhaps conventional to hold young people, and Millennials in particular, in sardonically low regard — but they are the most salient demographic in business and, as of now, in politics. Companies have invested significant time and resources into understanding them as consumers; wise politicians should likewise be interested in understanding how public policy can unlock their potential and provide them the confidence to thrive.

With the tax plan released on Thursday, House Republicans may be starting to do just that.”

“Since our founding in 1969, National Taxpayers Union has proudly served as the “Voice of America’s Taxpayers.” Our mission: to achieve favorable legislative outcomes using the most powerful, effective pro-taxpayer lobbying team on Capitol Hill and in the states.”

In addition to a using selective data and talking points to present the tax bill as a much needed tax reform, what we see in the examples above is a familiar trick of evoking one’s “generational struggle” for brownie points. These efforts are perhaps best illustrated by the self-appointed working class heroes and “economic wonks” (double trouble!) — Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio.

Both of these generational warriors have recently hinted at “restructuring government benefits” to lower the deficit. At a recent FOX News town hall last week, Ryan said, “There’s two things you got to do to get this debt under control. Cut spending — most importantly reform entitlement programs — and grow the economy.” Similarly, during a recent Politico interview, Rubio stated that, “The driver of our debt is the structure of Social Security and Medicare for future beneficiaries.”

A cursory look at the organizations mentioned above and their media affiliates reveals a much larger, concentrated effort to use deficit scaremongering to argue in favor of neoliberal policies. Perhaps then, it is no surprise that such organizations and politician-puppets owe their existence and talking points to concerned billionaires like the Koch brothers.

As it turn outs, even their cookie-cutter justifications in support of the bill, such as it’s alleged benefits for small businesses, fold under closer examination.We need to expose such organizations and individuals for what they truly are — a neoliberal attempt to hijack the millennial narrative for private gains.

Originally posted in postmillennial.org, a platform that counters the prevalent top-down, corporate narrative about millennials through an open platform and an evolving community of authors and curators.