The problem everyone seems to have these days is the desire to blanket define all millennials based on a few stereotypes when, in reality, attitude wise, they seem to be far more diverse in overall attitude than previous generations (even more so than Gen X that is all over the map). Many, like Rush, have this pop culture image of what a millennial is and then apply it to all of them. At that, I've learned from hiring many and being to so many seminars on 'reaching them' in the business world, is, as soon as you try to define them or box them in, they act completely different.
I saw an article earlier today that was a perfect example of this. It basically said millennials refuse to work oilfield jobs because it was hard work, dirty, and didn't give them the free time they wanted. Yet, when I look at KBR, Halliburton, Great White, and other oilfield companies around here and their job fairs, those type of jobs are being filled by mostly millennials. For every flower-beard, stereotypical millennial you find, I'll show you one that works 80 hour weeks in Midland on an oil rig. For every one you find whining about working hard and spending their money all on art degrees and tattoos, I'll find you one starting her own business and putting in more hours than her parents and grandparents to make it successful. One close friend, who looking at her, you would easily say is a stereotypical millennial, in addition to a full time job, also owns two businesses and raises two daughters (as a single mother up until a month ago). Someone like Rush would probably mock her with her tattoos, blue hair (this week), and liberal arts degree (undergrad in Journalism and Photography), but I would bet at 26, she works as hard, if not harder, than many of the generations Rush lauds.
The problem Rush and so many others have when trying to reach out and define any generation subset, is you start viewing them all and speaking to them all as the same unit and not as individuals with the same challenges, goals, fears, desires, hopes, and challenges as every other generation before them.
Rush even goes one step further in blowing it by his constantly mockery. Why would a millennial ever want to listen to him when they turn his show on and are mocked and stereotyped? The same goes for the Republican party that often seems to act the same way.
