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The Can Kicks Back Executive Director Ryan Schoenike on efforts to pressure lawmakers to find a solution to avoid the fiscal cliff.
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From -- from Washington.
-- I need to stand kicking the can down the road rather than coming up with a solid plan for this -- deficit we are currently.
Sixteen point 25 trillion dollars it's only going up the worst part is that we will be able.
We will all be thrown in our -- of our kids that are grandkids well guess -- now the can't is kicking back.
A group of millennium this -- hawks who call themselves just that they can kicks back and join forces with other major debt reduction campaigns.
Come up with a solution Brian show Nikki is the group's president and -- just.
Now.
Ryan did you that's for this group together.
Well most of things for -- thanks for having me.
IE what prompt us with -- the other was that we where you know is he said kicking the can down the road tired of politicians kicking the can down the road.
We realize that they -- was our generation and that if we didn't solve this issue we -- looking at a future of more debt.
Fewer jobs higher taxes and a lower standard of living and I think that.
You know it's not the top issue that no one else think up -- think -- when they went up the morning but.
I think -- understand that this issue really affects their future when it comes to jobs investments education no matter what you care of.
-- no I mean it should be the first issue because it's without question coming your way it doesn't seem like the jokers in charge right now are gonna solve this one I mean.
He had a chance to listen to -- the show -- people I'm we're not getting any closer to solving it what do you think the solution -- -- Well we think the solution like something like this we say -- balanced and bipartisan.
-- in the fact that we wanna see -- -- four trillion dollars in deficit reduction over the next ten years.
Balance -- that everything is a B on the tables and likewise revenues yet but it -- give any details.
Yet includes revenues it includes includes entitlements and includes spending there's no sacred cows here.
What would you do on the revenue side who needs to pay more tax would you close the loopholes would you raise taxes on individuals.
Well we're we're not getting that specifically right now.
We're.
All hot and that simply -- -- that.
Everyone has sort of vague notions of what they wanna do but nobody wants to come up with the actual solution combining -- -- didn't give me some specific you know snap back.
I think when it comes when it comes some of what ails the bid the initial problem is -- no one's communicating them.
There was communicating and and in a way that's compelling and authentic and and number two no one's giving them away to act.
So what -- doing is going out there.
Connecting this issue to the -- that they care about their top of mind issues when they wake up in the morning and then providing them with a way to act.
Which is what we're calling a million millennial minutes we're trying to create a million minute long conversation with congress.
Thirty seconds at a time we're asking our supporters.
To call members of congress once a week for thirty seconds and say why can they can do.
And -- get something done instead of don't do something you know I think members of congress are used to.
People Colleen and say protect my Medicare -- my Social Security don't raise my taxes or don't cut my program.
But we really need people to call and say.
Let's get something done this is gonna involve shared sacrifice and they need to understand.
That you know at least colonials I think where we're ready to see something -- What's your opinion of that shared sacrifice that I mean do you think it makes sense to raise taxes right now given what's going on in the economy.
I think one of -- day one of the guiding principles for us is that a plan needs to be enacted now but.
But -- needs to take place over time yes the economy is still fragile.
And so we don't want to see anything put that back.
But of course taxes need to be on the table otherwise it's not we're not gonna see a solution.
When I can -- -- sides coming together for a bipartisan solution if everything is on and that's giving spending needs to be cut.
I -- I certainly think there are some areas of spending where we could see some reductions like what.
-- and we want to -- As I said we're not we're not trying to get that specific right now.
The the issue was awareness among our generation and so that's what were first trying to promote.
You know there's nothing specific on the table from either party and so.
I think -- awareness is the first step in education.
Brian I love the idea of the -- kicking back because I'm with you we don't want to dump this in the laps of the younger folks that you got to come back -- bring me some specifics okay.
Well well when it's available on -- will come bike and we'll talk about it with your IRA and thanks to cover time thank you.
