“Emil Barr in his op-ed "The Young MAGA Socialists Are Here" (Aug. 19) correctly shows that capitalism isn't the problem the Democratic Socialists of America make it out to be. His call for Gen Z to believe in the free market, however, is naive. Such a belief requires that young people have reason to think that if they work hard, they will be rewarded with a good life. But after decades of perceived abandonment by the political elite, many Americans, especially the young, see things differently.
Gen Z has come of age seeing their parents' stagnating wages and executives' ballooning pay. They see that the wealthiest people pay little in taxes but exert the influence on government. They notice that what they buy is more expensive and lower quality, and then read about mass layoffs and record profits. They observe all these things and make the reasonable inference that the capitalism they see isn't for them. When factories move out and opioids move in, when pensions get wiped out and executives get bailed out, when the American dream looks like a pipe dream, forgive young voters for falling for impossible populist promises.
MAGA and the DSA are reactions to the same grievance. Until serious politicians get together from across the aisle, figure out how they lost the youth, meet them where they are and promise them a fair stake in the economy, Gen Z will continue to doubt capitalism.
Peter Labadorf
Travelers Rest, S.C.” [1]
1. Give the Young a Reason to Believe in Markets. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 28 Aug 2026: A14.
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