What do we do about the "kids" ???

[Quantrill]

So I was at a Rise Against show last night (a punk-rock band, somewhat political in nature) and one of the opening bands was Thursday.  Thursday played a song dedicated to Matthew Sheperd (homosexual who was beaten and murdered by 2 dumbasses) and they said "we believe in equal rights for everyone!"  And of course the crowd cheered, etc...  Rise Against compared this war to Vietnam (even though I'm pretty sure there was a draft for Vietnam) and again everyone cheered.

So here is what I was thinking:  These punk rockers don't really believe in equal rights.  They believe in equal rights for everyone who isn't a rich, white male.  No concept of economics at all.  A lot of punk bands/fans go to www.punkvoter.com, which is basically a progressive movement.  I love their passion, and there would be many issues that we agree with them on. 

But what chaps me is that these kids are all up in arms about 'censorship' and how they want to be left alone, etc... but they sure don't mind my tax dollars funding ridiculously large social programs.  Seems very hypocritical to me. 

My question is:  how do we reach out to these kids and how do we get them to read some books on economics?  I understand the FSP had a booth at the warped tour (great idea) but there's got to be more we can do.  I'm writing songs and will hopefully get a free market/free minds-type band together, but what else?

A lot of young people voted this election (great!).  Unfortunately many young people simply vote straight Democrat because "they're supposed to represent the people."   

[FrankChodorov]

what they should really be saying is "equal rights for all, special privileges for no one!"

then at least when questioned they would have to use reason to describe how the rich got rich via privilege...

[citizen_142002]

Getting young folks to read books on economics might be a tough sell. One of the reason that punk rock is so popular is that its messages speak of individual freedom. Young folks want to score, smoke pot, listen to music. In short they want to have a good time, and they want to be free to have a good time.

A band could speak to the fact that the IRS takes a fifth or a fourth of your money. Since nothing is free, that means that the government takes a good chunk of your pot and pizza money. Talking about individuality is also a good way to get people thinking.

The left has taken the majority in the US, and punk rock is a very contrarian scene. It's about resisting authority, and now that the Dems are that authority, I'm sure a few groups will put them in the crosshairs.

Green Day has a lot of libertarian messages in their music, and I believe that their lead singer has identified himself as a libertarian. Don't forget that Hardcore has a unique fan base as well. There are a lot of "conservative" messages in that music, but sadly the white power and nationalist movements have some representation by bands in that culture as well. If you listen to Hatebreed's lyrics, especially on the Rise of Brutality album, I think you'll find some libertarian implications.
"My life, my body, my pride, you have no opinion, no right."

I think that you can reach out through punk rock, but asking the crowd overtly to read a book on economics, isn't going to turn them on. It's just not perceived as cool.

[aries]

Raise the voting age to 21? I dont know.

I dont know, in time the last dwindling bits of the punk rock socialist niche will die and perhaps the young people will start putting half a brain into their decision to vote.

While it may be that they want equal rights for anyone except rich white men, it's the rich white men who are in power, and have always been in power.

[Quantrill]

Well young people came out to vote in record numbers last week, so I think this is a very important issue.  Nothing upsets me more than uninformed voters...   

[citizen_142002]

It's not that the young voters are necessarily any less informed than most 35 year old voters, it's just that what little information the young have gotten is slanted one way, and the little amount of info that the middle age voter has received is more balanced.

The average voter in the US probably has very little comprehension of world events, and I say that not to be a cynic, but based on the fact that so few people have any awareness of world or national events. I'm willing to bet that most people could give you about half of the First Amendment's protections on the spot. Most people would just say Freedom of Speech. They would miss all the rest of the amendment. For all the talk about the Second Amendment, I'd bet dollars to donuts that more than half of Americans can't quote the whole thing.

Most people "Don't get it" when we talk about liberty and the founding fathers, because most people could not eloquently explain our founding documents, let alone have enough knowledge to offer an informed opinion.

It's not an age thing, it's an ignorance thing.

[FrankChodorov]

I'm willing to bet that most people could give you about half of the First Amendment's protections on the spot. Most people would just say Freedom of Speech. They would miss all the rest of the amendment.

you've got an FSP tomorrow facing a federal court appearance because he doesn't understand the redress of greivances portion...

[Lloyd Danforth]

I'm willing to bet that most people could give you about half of the First Amendment's protections on the spot. Most people would just say Freedom of Speech. They would miss all the rest of the amendment.

you've got an FSP tomorrow facing a federal court appearance because he doesn't understand the redress of greivances portion...

Doesn't reconise the 'offical' rules for redress of grievances

[Pat McCotter]

I'm willing to bet that most people could give you about half of the First Amendment's protections on the spot. Most people would just say Freedom of Speech. They would miss all the rest of the amendment.

you've got an FSP tomorrow facing a federal court appearance because he doesn't understand the redress of greivances portion...

Doesn't reconise the 'offical' rules for redress of grievances

The "redress of grievances" clause has not been brought before the courts as of yet. Nobody knows the "legal definition."

[Pat K]

Yeah those young people they are so dumb, we better tell them whats good for them. We may even have to force them.   

[Quantrill]

Yeah those young people they are so dumb, we better tell them whats good for them. We may even have to force them.   

I certainly hope nobody looks at it this way.  We need to educate young people on the principles of economics for starters.  Who in the world would justify telling people what's good for them?  (besides the NEA, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton)

[aries]

Yeah those young people they are so dumb, we better tell them whats good for them. We may even have to force them.   

I certainly hope nobody looks at it this way.  We need to educate young people on the principles of economics for starters.  Who in the world would justify telling people what's good for them?  (besides the NEA, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton)

Don't forget the other side - parental notification, drugs, etc.

It's all where you feel you need guidance. If you think you need government to enforce your morals, vote for neocons, if they need to steer your life/health, then vote for liberals