Youth Forum Touches On Economy

Some of Tennessee’s youth voiced their concerns today to representatives from the two major political parties. The forum was organized by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, and broadcast online to schoolrooms across the state.

Several of the teenagers focused on the economy. They worried about paying for college in the middle of a credit crisis, and wondered whether coming of age now puts their generation at a disadvantage.

Kelly English is a student at Glencliff High School. She said she’s scared the country will slip into a depression.

“I just would really like to see one of these candidates of the president step up and let us know they’re gonna fix the economy so we don’t go into a great depression, ‘cause that would cause wars and–we used to be the greatest country in the world and I feel like now we’re one of the weakest, and I’d like them to bring us back up to that greatness.”

Afterwards, party representatives had a chance to respond. They primarily ran down the usual talking points, but State Republican Party Director Randy Stamps also had a strong reaction to Kelly English’s comments. He blamed, quote, “some political candidates” for encouraging a negative view of the United States.

Democrat Mike Stewart didn’t directly address English’s remark, but he did tell the kids they’re not too young to have an effect on the nation’s direction. He encouraged them to call up lawmakers when they have concerns, or to volunteer for political campaigns.