Digby alerts us that “Fix the Debt”, aka “Steal the Trust Fund”, is still on the loose, and they are coming for the Yoot:
The shrieking cries of the fiscal hawks may be somewhat muted with the news that the deficit is shrinking, austerity is a bust and that they’ve achieved their fondest wish of poor people suffering due to sequestration while national security contractors get rich from taxpayer dollars.
But they haven’t yet gotten their hands on the holy grail and until that happens, they will still be using their billions to git ‘er done…
They’re going to keep at this until a fair number of younger people see this point of view as conventional wisdom. I wish there was someone out there on the youth side that was pushing back. It could take a toll over time.
Since I am a geezer, and a musically unhip one at that, I have to ask: Are Midnight Hike, White Ford Bronco, Silver Liners, and Redline Addiction actually hot acts that will draw the kidz? Or are they just the latest form of College-Young-Republican scam where Pete Peterson buys a bunch of resume-padding interns not only better instruments than they could otherwise afford, but some semblance of a captive audience as well?
karen
I have no idea who any of those bands are. I’m 47 so I’m not a youngster of course but I listen to indie music and pop music and none of those bands sound familiar.
Redshirt
Do they play the rock music?
Also, revenge post!
Comrade Jake
Sounds like a bunch of assclowns.
NonyNony
@karen:
Quick Internet search suggests that all of them are local DC bands. Playing at a local DC club.
So… this looks like it’s probably more of an event targeting young Congressional staffers and other folks who will be moving into the DC bureaucratic apparatus in the future, rather than something targeting young people in general.
Which would be par for the course if it is in fact a Pete Peterson operation – no need to actually argue democratically. Better to target the future elites with your money and handle things autocratically instead. That seems to be his MO in general so why not?
Citizen_X
Who? The bands look lame. And boy, what happened to the 930 Club?
How many Millenials are going to be worried about the national debt, as opposed to, oh, their own student debt?
Dolly Llama
At not only first glance, but on the second and the third, I could have sworn the headline was “Always Be Coming.” And I thought it was weird that nobody had taken that bait right off the bat. Then I looked a fourth time. Clearly, it’s time for bed.
Peej
@Citizen_X: I think the Millennials would like to be employed. Then maybe they can start worrying about the national debt.
MomSense
Oldest son has never heard of them and said he would have to look them up. Middle son is ignoring me as usual.
Bruce S
I’m hoping they roll out some new songs by Orin Hatch. That guy is the shit.
lgerard
Rock the debt?
That’s hilarious
I don’t think these out of touch fools understand what happens when you “rock” something
Rich2506
I documented the Gay Pride Parade in Philly that took place on Sunday.
Chris
@NonyNony:
Dear God. These fucking people SO need to get out of their bubble.
You’d think people who spend so much time ragging on “Washington” would understand that.
PsiFighter37
I wonder who conned Bill Belichik into signing Tim Tebow. Probably was Josh McDaniel, still trying to prove to everyone that he didn’t waste a 1st rounder.
Hope he’s as useful to them as he was for my Jets. Knowing our luck, he’ll be the next Danny Woodhead
Redshirt
Dig the happening tunes of The Goldwaters.
The Dangerman
@Dolly Llama:
Everyone else that read it that way was, um, busy.
Redshirt
@PsiFighter37: What do you mean, con? The Dark Hoodie always has a plan. Some kind of trickery, I suspect. Two QB’s on the field? Teabow as option fullback? Proto WR/Tight end? Touchdown Jesus insurance?
lgerard
@Redshirt:
Jesus, I would love to hear that!
MomSense
@PsiFighter37:
@Redshirt:
No No No No No
Please can we talk about something–anything else?! Surely such a travesty could not possibly be happening.
MattF
See, the plan is to hire some local bands, get everyone drunk, and then all the young ‘ins will trust the financial industry. It’s bound to work and one can only wonder why didn’t anyone think of that sooner?
Redshirt
@MomSense: Go with Touchdown Jesus, my child, and know the peace of Tebowing.
Trust in the Hoodie. Look how awesome Ocho Cinco turned out!
Walker
If they really want to seem hip, they should have a Kickstarter to solve the debt.
Bruce S
More evidence this is catching on with the kids…
youtube.com/watch?v=kjLuj0EhsQg
Linnaeus
White Ford Bronco. Nice.
Walker
@Bruce S:
186k views over 6 months is not what I call a viral sensation. Particularly with only 500 likes.
BGinCHI
@Bruce S: Well, he did write The Knack’s great My Moroni.
He really makes my motor run, motor run.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Comrade Jake: Or are they assholes? I keep getting those confused. Dickweeds and douchenozzles are easier to tell apart.
BGinCHI
Imagine the youngs who would go to the 930 club to see music and emerge wanting to make sure the debt goes down at a time when borrowing money is free.
I can only guess that the bathrooms have a stall offering free lobotomies.
Ben
At least among those not politically in tune, I can say that sadly, many members of my generation believe that Social Security won’t be there when we retire.
Bruce S
@Walker:
So the kids today are staying off of Alan Simpson’s lawn?
(Although I’m guessing that many more than 186k saw this – on some episode of the Daily Show, Colbert or other news clips making fun of it.)
Zifnab25
@BGinCHI: If there’s one thing I love, it’s showing up for booze, music, and cute girls in short skirts, only to be waylayed by some guy waving flyers and screaming about how important it is that we think about long term fiscal planning of the federal government.
MomSense
@Redshirt:
Or as we call him up heah “ochostinko”.
Suffern ACE
@Redshirt: lol. We heard that last year. Now I admit, the jets are not the brightest bulbs in the tulip garden, but I’ll give you a hint if they have two QBs on the field as to which one they’ll snap the ball to, which one will run the play, which one will pass, and which will hand off the ball.
Redshirt
@Suffern ACE: The difference is Brady. Last year there was actual pressure for Tebow to play – Sanchez suxored. Remember the butt fumble? So people rightfully asked for Tebow to get a shot. But of course in NE, there will be no such pressure and Tebow can be some special teams/special weapon Jesus or something equally wacky. Also, maybe it was decided the Patriots need more coverage in the media.
Narcissus
@Ben: Hell I’m almost thirty and have my doubts about whether or not there’ll be a safety net left by the time I’m old. I’d also like to get a full-time job at some point but I’m not holding my breath for that one, either.
BGinCHI
@Zifnab25: Let’s give it up for less everything!
Who wants to crush our culture for the Olds!
Not even Ecstasy would make me clap for that.
Hob
I hope it’s not the same explanation that Game of Thrones recently offered for why the host of an expensive shindig might choose to hire really lousy musicians.
Cargo
@Linnaeus: I know right? They may not know their instruments but they sure do know how to play a dogwhistle.
Michael G
I’m 40, so I’m obviously suspect, but I do go to Coachella every year, which means I’m that sad old dude who struggles to be hip.
weknowmemes.com/2012/10/how-do-you-do-fellow-kids/
That being said, these are not real bands, and nobody has ever heard of them.
gmann
$12 a ticket and the place holds 1200. . .Maybe they’ll donate the draw $ it to the Fed. Withholding all comments about Great White
Villago Delenda Est
@Bruce S:
Wow. No kidding.
We oldsters may not need to encourage the kids to put these guys on tumbrels. They’ll do it with no prompting at all.
Villago Delenda Est
@Redshirt:
I would not dismiss such a notion instantly.
In fact, it’s pretty plausible. You know the idjits at ESPN will just go gaga over this…
Thlayli
@Redshirt:
Against the Patriots, of course.
bjacques
White Ford Bronco sounds like a band name made up by Republican Congressional interns.
Debtstock! If you were there, you probably couldn’t really afford it.
pluege
when founding themes of rock ‘n roll were: “gonna die before I grow old”, and “better to burn out than fade away”, its pretty ironic (and detached) to be using rock n roll as a medium to convey a message about the debt and retirement funds.
pluege
are today’s youth smart enough to understand that without social security and medicare, their parents become their burden?
cvstoner
No one under 40 believes that Social Security will be around when they get to retirement age. Indeed, No one under 40 believes they will even be able to retire.
You can certainly blame the Republicans for that. But, lately, the Democrats have been complicit in perpetuating this belief as well.
PLH in NYC
The only people that will buy this BS are people that have already been raised on the koolaid. And if you listen to punk rock, there are plenty of bands out there who preach about equality, social justice and the environment.
polyorchnid octopunch
I don’t have a retirement plan. I have a mentally disabled child instead.
polyorchnid octopunch
As for the bands, I’m willing to bet they don’t give a fuck one way or another, they’re doing the gig for the money, just like every other musician. The band names indicate a certain je ne sais quois about the culture in DC though.
steph
Seriously? A bandapalazoo to raise awareness to fix the debt? What’s next? Raising awareness to privatize social security? Or raising awareness to cancel SNAP?
Paul in KY
@Michael G: I’ll be doing my sad-old-dude thing at Bonnaroo here in approx 48 hours (God willing).
pluege
@cvstoner: I recall well being twenty-something and not giving social security a moments thought because I was sure it wouldn’t be there when I became eligible. Now that I’m getting pretty close to being eligible 30 some odd years later, lo and behold its still here and good for at least another 20 years to boot (if the grubby mitts of the plutocrats can be held at bay). Imagine that. What a remarkable program.