Fix The Debt

Fix the Debt co-founder Al Simpson hit two popular TV programs to promote the Fix the Debt message.

On Wednesday night Simpson was on The Daily Show where he traded quips with Jon Stewart and was his usual colorful self.

The interview opened up with a discussion of the work of the Fiscal Commission he co-chaired with Erskine Bowles. Simpson then explained that Americans are recognizing the need for bipartisan, comprehensive action to address the fiscal cliff and the long-term debt, saying “the people woke up; I think young people are waking up. You can’t do this. You can’t tax your way out of this whole, you can’t grow your way out of this hole...you can’t cut spending your way out of this hole.” He also said “If everybody would really do something about the little guy instead of talking about the little guy, we might make it.” Tax reform then came up and Simpson talked about how tax expenditures are “earmarks by any other name” and in need of reform.

Simpson and Stewart also discussed Social Security and the need for young Americans to get involved in the conversation with Simpson saying that “young people are gonna get hosed” if they aren’t a part of the debate. In discussing our Millennial outreach arm, The Can Kicks Back, and the tendency of politicians to put off the tough decisions he remarked, “They’ve been kicking the can down the road and now the can is a 55-gallon drum filled with explosives.”

When the discussion turned to healthcare, Simpson quipped “Guys who choose to do booze, drugs and the whole works and you’re going to pay for them and if you think they’re going into a preventive healthcare program the drinks are on me.”

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Simpson kept it up when he appeared on the Today Show Thursday morning. He wryly noted that “This younger generation better learn to take part, or get taken apart.”

And, of course, in both appearances he was asked about his new viral video where he dances “Gangnam style” to make the point that young Americans need to be active in the discussion, especially through social media.