Introduction
The Challenge We Face
Washington holds the future of young adults in its hands. Unsustainable budget deficits and an ever-expanding national debt threaten to dim our once bright future. Unless the government commits itself to making the difficult choices necessary to reduce the size of government, cut spending, and address its untenable entitlement crisis, our generation will suffer the burden of high taxes without the reward of government services.
The past few years have witnesses an incredible surge in youth involvement in politics. With their newfound interest, young adults should not like what they are seeing. In just the past year our generation has witnessed:
- A $1.9 trillion increase in the debt ceiling – the largest one time increase in history
- The federal deficit reach a record $1.56 trillion dollars
- The total national debt approach $13 trillion
- Pres. Obama release a budget which doubles the debt in 5 years and triples it in 10
- The government’s unfunded entitlement liabilities swell $76 trillion
Unfortunately the nature of Washington incentivizes spending money on the here-and-now while pushing problems onto future generations. Though enormous deficits make no sense for the nation, in the current state of politics it makes complete sense. Previous generations of young adults were simply not a large, or active, enough voting bloc to counteract Baby Boomers. Millennials are different in that regard. Our size is enough to command a voice in Washington. Now we must show them we have something to say.
To that end, College Republicans are launching “Don’t Put It On Our Tab,” an issue campaign designed to highlight the negative impact that Washington’s spending is having on our generation. Part education and part action, “Don’t Put It On Our Tab” will inform young adults about our dire fiscal future and provide them an outlet to have their voice heard in Washington. Help us shut off the government spending tap. Help us tell Washington “don’t put it on our tab.”
