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Behind the Scenes of ‘The Can Kicks Back’ Movement

Millennials explain why they are lobbying their government to get responsible about the national debt

February 14, 2013 RSS Feed Print

"What we need to do," Tucek suggests, "is empower our generation to approach politics in a way that's conciliatory and values compromise, without being insulting or refusing to talk to the other side."

[See a collection of political cartoons on Congress.]

All three are now regional directors of The Can Kicks Back, which grew to 80 chapters for college students and young professionals in less than a year. They've got 1,000 volunteers signed up since fall, a petition movement to demand action from lawmakers, a good website at TheCanKicksBack.org ("The Debt Is Too Damn High" is its slogan), and a very active social media presence.

There is no AARP for young people. But we might be witnessing the start of a bipartisan counterweight to it—a balance that has been missing for a long time. These young people have the smarts, the can-do attitude, and the time to get us off the unsustainable path we're on now. As Tucek puts it, everything we need to get our country back on track is right here. We know what the solution will be, it's just a question of political will. This generation has it.

 

  • Cary, Mary Kate

    Mary Kate Cary is a former White House speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush. She currently writes speeches for political and business leaders, and is a contributing editor for U.S. News & World Report.

    Read more stories by Mary Kate Cary
Tags:
economy,
Republican Party,
deficit and national debt

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