by WorldTribune Staff, October 18, 2016
Nearly half of America’s millennials (born between 1982-2002) say they would vote for a socialist – and 21 percent would back a communist, a new survey revealed.
A third of millennials say they believe more people were killed under George W. Bush than Joseph Stalin, according to the survey released on Oct. 17 by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
The survey blames widespread ignorance for the relatively positive views millennials have toward socialism and communism.
Forty-two percent of those surveyed were unfamiliar with Mao Zedong. Eight percent were clueless about Ronald Reagan and 4 percent about John F. Kennedy.
“One of the concerns [the foundation] has had since its establishment is that an emerging generation of Americans has little understanding of the collectivist system and its dark history,” said Marion Smith, executive director of the organization.
“Unfortunately, this report, which we intend to release on an annual basis, confirms this worrisome impression.”
Of the 2,300 Americans polled by YouGov, 80 percent of baby boomers and 91 percent of the elderly agree with the statement that “communism was and still is a problem” in the world today. Millennials? Only 55 percent.
Capitalism is viewed favorably by 64 percent of those over the age of 65, compared with only 42 precent of millennials.
More than half of millennials say the economic system works against them, while 40 percent would support a “complete change” to ensure that the highest earners pay their fair share.