In
my story on Monday, I outlined one very simple question that I believe my generation should be asking the GOP leadership:
Why does your party care more about billionaires than students?
Needless to say, the response from the online community was amazing, and the discussion that was had gave me a lot to think about. Most notably, there is the obvious question of how to motivate college-aged students to do more in terms of political participation. These are the issues that directly affect them, and they are by and large sitting on the sidelines while these decisions are made. How do we reach out to a generation "looking for a party?"
I still contend that one of the best ways would be in the form of a DNC-sponsored bus tour of college campuses this fall, with a rotating cast of candidates and politicians who can put a personal face on a government that is largely seen as working "in Washington" rather than at home. But out of this also came an idea, which I submit to the online community for discussion:
Can we make www.OneSimpleQuestion.org a reality?
Now, I realize that right now that link takes you to nowhere. And that is what I believe we could change. As I linked to in my diary, there are already a few action oriented websites that exist for the purposes of telling students what they can do to bring about change on this issue. Unfortunately, these websites often speak more to students
already interested in political action, rather than those who are currently in the grips of apathetic bliss. This website could change that.
It wouldn't be complex, and it wouldn't be hard to make. Just a simple website that says to my generation:
"Hey, you...over there. Yes you, put down the beer for a second. College is expensive, right? Books are outrageously priced, right? Life would be a lot better if these things were different, right? Well here is one simple question you should be asking your Congress right now, and here is a simple way to do that."
What do you all think?
If nothing else, it would simplify the process of getting this information out on individual campuses. Just chalking up the sidewalks with, "Don't have enough money for pizza tonight? Find out what you should be asking: www.OneSimpleQuestion.org" should be enough to generate a decent amount of interest. Couple this with a concerted Facebook campaign and some emails to friends, and I think we could have the makings of a serious online movement. This is what people-powered democracy is all about.
This is a single-issue action website at heart, but will also serve the goal of getting out the vote this November, especially with a demographic that has been historically fickle toward the political process. This is a win/win for everyone, but most of all a generation who is seeing their financial assistance robbed in the name of tax cuts to the rich.
I think we can make this work.
So, I open the floor up to the internet now, and ask that you post your ideas, feedback, concerns, or blessings for this project. I would appreciate any of the above, and ask that you send any concrete ideas to denymyfreedom@gmail.com as well, where I can better keep track of them.
Thanks in advance!
(Originally posted at Deny My Freedom and cross posted at My Left Wing)