RECREATE ’08:  Letter to Presidential Candidates

Dear Presidential Candidates,

Throughout your campaign, you have talked about America's future and your plans for ensuring that it is bright and secure. One generation of Americans is listening closely to your words and is deeply concerned about what that future may look like. That generation is America's 29 million teens - the largest generation of teens in U.S. history

Thousands of these teens are eager to share with the world - and with you - what matters most to them.

372,795 teens have gathered in arenas across the country over the past two years as part of Teen Mania's movement to save a generation from the negative impact of today's pop culture messages. Madison Avenue and the music and entertainment industries have become what I call "virtue terrorists." They demonstrate each day that they are more than willing to sacrifice the health, virtue and happiness of our kids in order to sell products. For example, on average, teenagers see 6.7 sexual scenes per hour on teen television shows (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005) and 90 percent of 8- to16-year-olds have accidentally viewed pornography online, most while doing homework (Family Safe Media, 2005).

Thousands of Teen Mania teens have gathered again - this time in New York City - on Feb. 8-9 to make their concerns heard and to demonstrate what they are doing to change pop culture into something that helps and not hurts their generation. The centerpiece of these two days was a teen-led rally in Times Square.

The TIMES SQUARE rally was dubbed "RECREATE '08" in honor of teens recreating pop culture to build up and not tear down their generation. The rally highlighted what teens are already doing to enact change and what they hope YOU will do.

8 QUESTIONS for Our Future

The young people of Teen Mania have put together a list of eight questions for you and the other presidential candidates that they believe are critical to their future. They unveiled this list at the Feb. 8, TIMES SQUARE rally.

I hope you'll consider lending your support to these teens as they share their hopes, dreams, concerns and solutions with America. Please consider including America's teens' priorities in your presidential platform

This generation of young people will be significantly impacted by your administration should you serve as our nation's next president. Won't you consider their priorities as you craft those of your administration?

Enclosed are the RECREATE '08 Priorities that express the urgent concerns of more than 372,795 teens and the generation they represent. As the next possible President of the United States, they are looking to you to carry their priorities forward to Washington and the White House. They are asking you to fight for the 29 million Americans who make up the teen generation. Please don't let them down.

Sincerely,

Ron Luce
President and Founder
Teen Mania

Enclosure: RECREATE '08: Top 8 Teen Concerns

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