Disinherited: How Washington Is Betraying America's Young

by Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Jared Meyer

Tens of millions of Americans are between the ages of 18 and 30. These Americans, known as millennials, are, or soon will be, entering the workforce. For them, achieving success will be more difficult than it was for young people in the past.

This is not because they are less intelligent, they have worked less hard, or they are any less deserving of the American dream. It is because Washington made decisions that render their lives more difficult than those of their parents or grandparents. Their younger siblings and their children will be even worse off, all because Washington has refused to fix the problem.

This book describes the personal stories of several members of this disinherited generation. Their experiences are not unique. It is impossible to hear these stories and not understand that holding back a nation’s young is the antithesis of fairness and no way to make economic or social progress.

Their stories are an indictment of America’s treatment of its young. A nation that prides itself on its future has mortgaged it. A nation that historically took pride in its youth culture has become a nation that steals from its young. People who should have fulfilling, productive lives are sidelined, unemployed, or underemployed.

Meanwhile, America expects millennials and others of the disinherited generation to pay higher taxes for government programs that benefit middle-aged and older Americans, many of whom have better jobs and more assets.

It is time someone told the full story of the crisis facing America’s young. The future of America can be saved, but only if our government’s betrayal comes to an end. It is a war without victors, only victims. The birthright of the America’s young must be restored, and the time to do so is now. This book explains how.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics

152 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2015

Reviews

[Vance Ginn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good overview of the major fiscal issues costing Millennials today and in the future. These include Social Security, Medicare/ObamaCare, student loan debt, lack of a a quality education from lack of competition, etc. For someone who doesn't have a good grasp of these issues and wants a quick read, this is the book for you.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info but very dry.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book performs a real service by describing the many ways that Washington robs from Peter to pay Paul. In fact, it is worse than this, in that the feds rob from both Peter and Paul to pay Paul. It does this, not by increasing taxes, but by fueling inflation - which reduces the value of our currency. As a retiree on a fixed income, I can guarantee that prices are rising significantly on everything but gasoline.

Occupational licensing and regulation is depriving youth of opportunities to make a living. This situation is discussed clearly in the book. Only the fortunate few can obtain gainful employment. Do you want to fill a niche in the economy? Unless your skill is unusual, you may find you are prevented from doing the work.

I encourage all to read this treatise. At the very least, it will open your eyes to some of the ways that the unelected administrative state has throttled the economy, and the prognosis for the future unless some major changes take place.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise look at the trouble facing the Millennial-and-beyond generations due to deficit spending. The book mostly targets the federal government, but it also touches on state government and local school districts. Furchgott-Roth and Meyer write well and in a non-partisan manner (though her conclusions are very political hot-button issues for the Right and Left). Highly recommended for understanding the dynamics that create and sustain our "spend now, pay later" mindset that dampens the American Dream for future generations.

[Lesley Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poor state of the economy in conjunction with the willingness of the government to disenfranchise youth and their well-being lye at the core of this book. Solutions are possible but not plausible because of the greed that has infiltrated the system on almost every front. If you would like a frank discussion of the current state of affairs for our youth, this is an excellent expose.