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“There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936

Few privileges are greater than the opportunity to serve one’s country.  Mine came recently when I was invited to head Youth Entitlements Summit—or YES. 

YES began in June 2008 as a conference of youth leaders who came together to examine the generational impacts of the massive Social Security and Medicare budget shortfalls on our horizon.  What we discovered convinced us that YES needed to become a permanent vehicle for uniting our generation and raising public awareness.

The informed representation of young Americans on questions so vital to our future is the civil rights issue of the 21st century. 

We have inherited a set of obligations that earlier generations would not have tolerated.  We did not vote for these large, rapidly growing and socially unsustainable burdens.  And each year that we fail to take corrective action pushes more costs onto our generation and all who will follow.  It is a challenge that transcends everything that divides us. 

As a 26 year old politically progressive African American, I am sensitive to exploitation in all its forms.  Injustice is the inevitable result of unequal power relationships.  In recognition of this danger, Thomas Jefferson called on all Americans to be eternally vigilant in defense of liberty.  It is now our turn to take up this mantel. 

You, too, have the opportunity to serve your country.  No matter how you voted, the 2008 election proved that young people can make a difference.  We are the future.  And the media, Congress and President Barack Obama will pay attention to us if we raise our voices together in a responsible way.

Please join the YES Youth Council.  Contribute to our blog.  Send us your questions, ideas and dreams.  And raise your voice.  Together we will change history.

Yes we can.
Kouri C. Marshall