The Ones We've Been Waiting for

1. Millennials Inherit a Boomer-Built America Ripe for Disruption

The cruelties and obstacles of this swiftly changing planet will not yield to obsolete dogmas and outworn slogans.

Boomer Dominance. Millennials are poised to rule America, yet leadership remains dominated by older generations clinging to outdated ideologies. Boomers, while achieving social progress, prioritized individualism and short-term gains, leading to economic inequality and environmental neglect. This has created a system ripe for disruption by a generation with different values and priorities.

Generational Differences. Boomers, shaped by post-war prosperity, often see icons where millennials see relics. This clash of perspectives highlights the need for new leadership to address contemporary challenges. The book explores how millennials, defined by events like 9/11 and the Great Recession, are uniquely positioned to reshape American politics.

The Call for Change. The book serves as a reminder that generational shifts are inevitable and necessary for progress. It examines the lives of young leaders attempting to drag the government into the 21st century, offering a glimpse into what America might look like when millennials are in charge. The author doesn't argue that millennials will save America, but that their leadership will undoubtedly bring about significant changes.

2. 9/11 Shaped a Generation's Political Awakening

On that day, we became a globally aware generation.

Loss of Innocence. The events of September 11, 2001, shattered the sense of peace and security that had characterized the childhoods of many millennials. This tragedy marked a dividing line between "Before" and "After," leading to a heightened awareness of global issues and a desire to engage in public policy. The attacks instilled a sense of national unity and a shared purpose, prompting many young people to rethink their roles in society.

Motivating Factor. For some, like Dan Crenshaw, 9/11 provided a clear sense of purpose and a motivation to serve in the military. For others, like Elise Stefanik, it sparked a desire to understand and address the complex challenges facing the nation. The attacks served as a catalyst for political engagement, inspiring a generation to seek solutions to global problems.

Divergent Paths. While 9/11 motivated some millennials to join the military, it led others to question the direction of American foreign policy. This divergence in perspectives reflects the complex and multifaceted impact of the attacks on a generation coming of age in a time of war and uncertainty. The event created a shared experience but also divergent paths.

3. Boomer Parenting Created a Generation of Optimized Overachievers

Individually, boomers might be as selfless and as interested in the future as anybody else.

The "Parenting" Obsession. Boomer parents, often highly educated and working full-time, placed immense emphasis on "parenting" and "enrichment" activities for their children. This led to a culture of over-scheduling, hyper-competitiveness, and a focus on maximizing potential. The pressure to excel created a generation of high-achievers, but also contributed to increased anxiety and a sense of entitlement.

The "Best Little Boy/Girl in the World." Boomer parents wanted their kids to be super-duper special. This led to a focus on self-esteem and a belief that anything was possible with enough hard work and determination. While this instilled confidence, it also created a sense of entitlement and a lack of resilience in the face of failure.

Unintended Consequences. The intense focus on safety and security led to a generation of coddled kids who lacked the independence and autonomy of previous generations. This over-protection, combined with the pressure to achieve, created a unique set of challenges for millennials as they entered adulthood. The result was a generation of super-parented, overly safe kids became obsessed with an orphan who defies death: Harry Potter.

4. Student Debt Cripples Millennial Economic Prospects

We have an entire generation that is delaying or forgoing purchasing houses; they’re not buying second versions of everything because they have roommates.

The Education Gospel. Millennials were raised with the belief that a college education was essential for success, leading to a surge in enrollment and skyrocketing tuition costs. This "education gospel," combined with declining state funding for public universities, resulted in a massive student debt burden for many young people. The average student debt for a Gen X college graduate was a little over $4,000—for millennials, it’s nearly $15,000.

Economic Consequences. Student debt has had a significant impact on millennials' economic prospects, delaying or preventing them from buying homes, starting families, and saving for retirement. This debt burden has also contributed to a sense of financial precarity and a growing disillusionment with the American dream.

Unequal Burden. The student debt crisis disproportionately affects black and brown millennials, who often face additional barriers to wealth accumulation. This disparity exacerbates existing inequalities and perpetuates a cycle of debt and poverty for many young people of color. The debt has kept millennials from getting married, buying homes, having kids. It has eaten into their salaries, their savings, and their buying power.

5. The Digital Revolution Redefined Millennial Politics

There’s a piece of life as a millennial that is public, regardless of whether or not you want it to be.

Digital Natives. Millennials are both the first digital natives and the last dinosaurs, having grown up during the rapid expansion of the internet and social media. This unique position has shaped their relationship to information, communication, and political engagement. The rapid acceleration of technology in the first years of the twenty-first century is literally unprecedented.

Democratization of Information. The internet has democratized access to information, empowering millennials to challenge traditional gatekeepers and form their own opinions. However, this has also led to the spread of misinformation and a growing skepticism of institutions.

New Forms of Activism. Social media has enabled the rise of leaderless movements and facilitated seamless collaboration between individuals and groups. This has transformed the way political campaigns are organized and has given rise to new forms of activism and political expression. The networks were so elegant because they allowed people to maintain their individual identities as part of a larger whole, and to learn about themselves by communicating with people they’d probably never meet.

6. The Iraq War Fueled Millennial Skepticism of US Foreign Policy

I paid in blood.

The Forever War. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which began shortly after 9/11, have defined much of millennials' political consciousness. The prolonged and often unclear nature of these conflicts has led to widespread skepticism about US foreign policy and military intervention.

Volunteer Army. Unlike previous generations, millennials have not experienced a military draft, leading to a disconnect between the general public and those serving in the armed forces. This has also resulted in a concentration of military service within certain families and communities.

Disillusionment and Isolation. The "forever war" has dented a long-standing sense of exceptionalism and global mission for an entire generation of young Americans. Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan often feel misunderstood and isolated from their peers, contributing to a spike in suicide rates. The endless war that followed set the stage for millennial disillusionment with US foreign policy in general, and with the Republican Party in particular.

7. Obama's Election Inspired a Generation, But Didn't Solve Systemic Issues

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

A Beacon of Hope. Barack Obama's 2008 election was a watershed moment for millennials, inspiring a generation to believe in the power of political change. His message of hope and unity resonated deeply with young people, leading to record levels of youth turnout and a sense of optimism about the future.

Unfulfilled Promises. Despite Obama's historic achievement, his presidency failed to address many of the systemic issues facing millennials, such as student debt, income inequality, and climate change. This led to a growing sense of disillusionment and a recognition that more radical solutions were needed.

A New Wave of Activism. Obama's election paved the way for a new wave of young leaders to emerge, but his presidency also revealed the limitations of individual leadership in addressing systemic problems. This realization fueled the rise of movements like Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter, which sought to challenge the status quo from the ground up. The optimism of the Obama era was exciting but incomplete: his hope came with blind spots, and his work was unfinished.

8. The Great Recession Shattered Economic Security

Our economy will never be the same.

Economic Devastation. The Great Recession of 2008 had a profound impact on millennials, who entered the workforce during a time of high unemployment and economic instability. This crisis shattered the illusion of economic security and led to a widespread sense of financial precarity.

Long-Term Consequences. The recession had long-term consequences for millennials, including lower wages, increased debt, and limited opportunities for advancement. This economic disadvantage has shaped their attitudes toward work, consumption, and the American dream.

Systemic Critique. The recession exposed the flaws in the capitalist system and led many millennials to question the prevailing economic order. This contributed to a growing interest in socialist ideas and a desire for more equitable and sustainable economic policies. The rise of private, for-profit colleges made the education system even more predatory and unequal.

9. Occupy and Black Lives Matter Gave Voice to Systemic Grievances

This is kind of like Harry Potter. Like kids versus evil.

Challenging the Status Quo. Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter emerged as powerful movements that challenged the status quo and gave voice to the grievances of marginalized communities. These movements were fueled by young people's anger at economic inequality, racial injustice, and police brutality.

New Forms of Protest. Occupy and Black Lives Matter pioneered new forms of protest and organizing, leveraging social media to mobilize supporters and amplify their message. These movements also embraced leaderless structures and emphasized the importance of intersectionality and collective action.

Lasting Impact. While Occupy and Black Lives Matter did not achieve all of their goals, they had a lasting impact on American politics and culture. They helped to shift the Overton window, making previously fringe ideas more mainstream, and inspired a new generation of activists and organizers. The movements were most effective in their abilities to project thousands of voices saying the same thing all at once: “We are the 99%.” “No justice! No peace!”

10. Trump's Election Triggered a Generational Culture War

Our economy will never be the same.

A Generational Divide. Donald Trump's election as president exacerbated the generational divide in American politics, highlighting the stark differences in values and priorities between older and younger voters. His policies and rhetoric alienated many millennials, who saw him as a threat to their future.

The Resistance. Trump's election sparked a wave of resistance, with young people mobilizing to protest his policies and advocate for progressive causes. This resistance took many forms, from street protests to social media campaigns to electoral organizing.

A New Political Landscape. The Trump era has reshaped the political landscape, creating new opportunities for young leaders to emerge and challenge the status quo. As millennials and Gen Z become an increasingly powerful force in American politics, they are poised to redefine the terms of debate and shape the future of the nation. The kids who grew up under zero tolerance policies for playground name-calling are the same ones who now “cancel” each other for bad jokes and insist on campus “trigger warnings” to protect themselves from harmful language.

11. Young Leaders Emerge with Competing Visions for America's Future

The America we grew up in is nothing like the America our parents or our grandparents grew up in.

Two Paths Forward. As millennials enter the political arena, they are offering competing visions for America's future. Some, like Pete Buttigieg, advocate for pragmatic solutions and a return to civility and compromise. Others, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, call for more radical change and a fundamental restructuring of the economic and political system.

The Pragmatists. These young leaders emphasize the importance of working within the system to achieve incremental progress. They are often drawn to data-driven approaches and technocratic solutions, and they prioritize electability and coalition-building.

The Radicals. These young leaders are more skeptical of the establishment and advocate for bold, transformative change. They are often inspired by socialist ideas and prioritize social justice and economic equality. The archvillain in Potterworld is Lord Voldemort, but his reign was supported by adults—from the Minister of Magic to Hogwarts parents—who were too foolish or cynical to resist him.

Last updated: March 3, 2025