Nearly half of youth think American dream is dead

Bloomberg - American's youth are down on the future, with nearly half of those ages 18 through 29 believing the "American Dream" is more dead than alive, a nationwide survey by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics shows.

Reflecting the sour mood of the overall electorate, 48 percent of those asked “For you personally, is the idea of the American Dream alive or dead?” responded “dead.” Those who picked “alive” accounted for 49 percent.

While the race or ethnicity of the poll's respondents didn't significantly impact the results, the level of education of those questioned did play a role in determining the answer. Fifty-eight percent of college graduates said the dream was alive for them personally, compared to 42 percent of those not in college or who had never enrolled in college.

The poll, taken about a month ago, shows 41 percent of young potential Democratic primary voters support the senator from Vermont, compared to 35 percent for Clinton. Less than 1 percent back former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley.

Among young Republicans, billionaire Donald Trump is backed by 22 percent, closely followed by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 20 percent. Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky, the two Republicans who have made the most overt appeals to young voters, were supported by 7 percent and 6 percent, respectively.