What makes an effective local leader of a big city for Gen-Y citizens? Fiscal conservatism or a more liberal government programmed approach?
I grew up in a small town and have spent nearly my whole in small towns, with the exception of an eight-month stint in Washington, D.C. Being a student of politics, I have studied this issue and have come to the following simple conclusion. Gen-Y citizens are far and away liberal when it comes to social issues and most don’t yet make enough money to see the economic impact of their unwavering support for liberal candidates when it comes to election time. I do, however, predict that the election of Barack Obama will somewhat change this as we see massive tax increases come from Obamacare and out-of-control deficit explosion…and we aren’t even a year into his administration yet…
I digress, the question is about metropolitan leadership. My analysis here is simple. I will use the city of New York as an example. New York cracks the top 25 in terms of most liberal U.S. cities, yet its two most recent mayors have been Republicans. Citizens of New York have trended toward somewhat of a hybrid in that they prefer the social freedoms that liberal policy provides yet at the same time prefer the fiscal restraint and economic guardianship that a more conservative policy approach provides. Hence the leadership of Rudy Giuliani and subsequently Mayor Bloomberg, who just won a third term for himself in what is the most expensive local government race ever run.
On that point, I find it a bit odd for Republican candidates to preach fiscal restraint yet spend recklessly when it comes to their own races. Mayor Bloomberg spent a whopping $35,000 PER HOUR on his reelection bid. I just find that astounding.
So what kind of candidate would I consider a more effective leader for Gen-Y citizens? The bottom line is this. Find the candidate who supports me as an individual, who doesn’t want government getting in the way of my progress, wants to get government out of the way of economic growth in the private sector, who stays out of my personal life….and makes sure that the government does the same, and who makes sure that my tax dollars are wisely cared after….because I work hard for the money that I make, and don’t want to see it wasted.
What do you think would make a great leader for Generation Y?
I’d love to hear from you,
Justin E.
An Effective Leader: Local Politics and Generation Y