Highlight advances in employment and education for young Americans, differences from former Gov. Romney

BOSTON - In response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address, Young Democrats of Massachusetts Chair Elaine Almquist issued the following statement:

"President Obama and congressional Democrats have fought to stem the tide of rising unemployment for young people and all Americans, and the President's speech laid out a positive vision for an America that is built to last. Read more »

BOSTON – In response to the growing Occupy Boston and Occupy Wall Street movements, and an overnight crackdown on Boston protesters, Greater Boston Young Democrats Vice Chair Sarah Betancourt issued the following statement on behalf of the organization's more than 500 members:

"The Greater Boston Young Democrats are proud to stand in support of Occupy Boston. Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Boston are movements born out of a frustration shared by many members of our organization, a frustration that for too long the top one percent of earners in America have overwhelming influence in our political system, a frustration that all too many of our members face disproportionately high rates of unemployment, predatory lending practices, and soaring health care costs.

"Our own junior senator, Scott Brown, who has received millions from wealthy corporate donors like the Koch brothers, is a glaring example of how the top one percent is buying influence that hurts the other 99 percent of us. Sen. Brown has held unemployment benefits hostage in exchange for tax cuts for the rich, has stood with corporate polluters instead of protecting our air quality, and has even filibustered his own jobs bill. Sen. Brown even voted against summer jobs for youth despite benefiting from the program when he was younger and voted to reduce Pell grants even though he struggled to pay for college.

"We're encouraged to see so many young people stepping up to lead and support this movement, as well as the many diverse groups who are joining in. We encourage our members to raise awareness about and participate in the Occupy Boston movement, and we encourage members of Occupy Boston to join GBYD in helping shape the future of our politics here in Massachusetts. Later this week, members of GBYD will join Occupy Boston to ensure that every eligible participant is registered to vote in time for the October 19 deadline for voting in this year's municipal races. We hope that anyone interested in learning more about the Young Democrats will visit www.ydma.org."

In response to last night's crackdown by more than 200 police on peaceful protesters occupying a space on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Betancourt added: Read more »

Statement from Young Democrats of Massachusetts Chair Elaine Almquist Calling on Sen. Brown to support President Barack Obama’s American Jobs Act

BOSTON - Young Democrats of Massachusetts Chair Elaine Almquist issued the following statement today calling on Senator Scott Brown to put partisanship aside and support President Barack Obama’s American Jobs Act. Previously, Young Democrats of Massachusetts Vice Chair of Programming & Policy John Kleschinsky penned the organization’s stance on how the president can invest in American workers.

“The Young Democrats of Massachusetts are very supportive of the President’s comprehensive plan, which can produce real results for unemployed Americans, particularly young people. Investing in education and infrastructure now will improve the economy today and create a stronger future for all Americans. 

“Now, our attention turns to Congress to act. We are confident that many in our delegation will be supportive. We hope that Senator Brown, who has voted with Republicans almost 90 percent of the time, will put aside his partisanship and help get this bill passed. Senator Brown has a great opportunity to act like the independent that he ran as and we hope he will put aside his tired rhetoric of opposing tax cuts for the wealthy, his opposition to youth job programs, and his unrelenting desire to remove important regulations that protect Americans. Young people across the Commonwealth call on Senator Brown to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this package passed.

“With unemployment among youth at a staggering rate twice that of average Americans, the Young Democrats of Massachusetts are very pleased to see that the President included funding for youth job programs in his proposal. This common sense measure provides critical job training for thousands of young people, will strengthen our economy, and provides essential opportunities in communities of color where the unemployment rate is a staggering 31%. We only hope that our junior Senator, Scott Brown, will follow the President’s lead and reverse his opposition to funding youth job programs.

“Members of YDM are also very supportive of President Obama’s commitment to creating jobs through investment in our infrastructure and new technologies. Massachusetts is a leader in these areas, but further investment can take us further and put more young people back to work. Despite being the first state in the nation to create a subway system and our investment in the Big Dig, the MBTA is now facing barriers created by its age and we still have many neglected roads and bridges. Public transportation is particularly important to young workers and students, and we are grateful that the President seeks to put people to work to address these issues. We hope that Sen. Brown will abandon the anti-infrastructure rhetoric he uses to describe the stimulus and support these important investments.

“We are encouraged that President Obama has called on those who have benefited the most from the American economy to give back and help make it stronger. We hope that Sen. Brown will abandon his unrelenting support for tax cuts for the rich to allow for these important investments in our economy.” Read more »