The latest Rock the Vote video – as intended – has sparked heated debate and some welcomed engagement. But some of the comments posted on our blog and other sites seem to miss the point. Perhaps a little context would help… the video is satire!
It is meant to be a humorous way to cut through the noise at the end of the long slog on health care. It was, after all, written and produced by the talented team at Funny or Die. That should tell you something. It was meant to be a parody of the system, provocative, and, well, funny.
The barrage of health care ads on TV and radio and constant news coverage for nearly a year have created a bit of fatigue around an issue that is actually at the point where real participation from constituents matters. The issue of health care is one of the top issues for our members and for young people nationally. The issue is being decided right now, and whether you like the bill or not, it won’t get any better if we are sitting on the sidelines.
So, to spark conversation and get more young people to pay attention and speak out, we asked our friends at Funny or Die to make a video. They have a way of reaching those who are more likely to be surfing the web to find the latest humorous skits by SNL writers than to be tracking the health care debate on our website or CSPAN.com. We wanted to reach people . . . and have them reach right back. And, what can we say, “sex sells” – or in this case “no sex.”
The video updates the old “call your Congressman” adage in a funny, provocative, and attention-grabbing way. The video, which seems to have done its job of getting attention, then acts as a bridge to the sections of our website where you can get serious information on what is at stake, what is in the current bills, how the process works, and how to take real action.
We don’t want anyone to get “f**ked” by health care reform, so we have encouraged people to get educated and make their voice heard . . . any way they can. We want a health care plan that benefits young Americans by expanding coverage, eliminating discrimination for pre-existing conditions, and providing coverage that is affordable. That won’t happen unless young people are active and voicing their concerns, interests and needs to their members of Congress.
And if you don’t agree with the video’s suggestion of “holding out” for health care, well, lucky for you…it is the season of giving.
So, let the debate rage on, but lets also discuss how to improve the bill, what we want with health care reform, and how we are going to make our elected officials listen to us. We wish nothing more than to have young Americans pay attention to the critical decisions being made right now. And we wish you – all of you – a happy holiday.
In that spirit, I will end this post with another video for you:
Tags: funny or die, happy holidays, health care
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Mary Bio: @Rockthevote Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
Ok. well you socialists can just go fuck yourself then.
Aren’t you guys supposed to be bipartisan? If that’s the case, you’re clearly taking political sides. I’m also dissapointed that Zach Gilford did this ad–shut up and play football on Friday Night Lights. Who gives a crap what actors think anyways!
These people are too stupid to even understand what bipartisan means. This is just another arm of the democrat party.
“Aren’t you guys supposed to be bipartisan? If that’s the case, you’re clearly taking political sides. ” I agree Steve. This is discusting.
Unlike ACORN’s targets (the poor), Rock the Vote forgets that today’s youth are smart enough to understand liberal manipulation.
Why doesn’t the video even approach the 1 trillion cost of the bill, who actually pays for it (Mom and Dad), and the kickbacks it took to pass it?
All of America wants healthcare reform, but not this big stinking bill wrought with government oversight and loopholes.
What is RTV going to do next, suggest young folks patriotically hand over $50,000 (each person’s personal share of our national debt -which Obama doubled), for sex? Pretty pathetic.
First off, this add is giving the wrong message. I understand that using comedy to promote something works. An add that uses sex in a funny way is exactly what our country has been doing for the past forty years and look at where it has brought us. C’mon Man!! Get it together. We need to really find for ourselves the pros and cons of this health care reform.
Thanks for showing us again how uneducated these youthful actors are!
The vid is absurd on so many levels. Does Zach Gilford know the 18-30 year old age group is the least expensive age group for adult health insurance? A healthy 18-30 year old can get good health insurance for less than $100/month. The cheapest iPhone plan with data is $75/month. What happened to priorities? How many of these young people in debt for “health care” (which may be nothing more than buying condoms on their credit card) have cell phone, broadband Internet, cable television, or all three? How much do these young individuals spend on eating at restaurants?
Does Rock the Vote realize the single best, most cost effective health insurance option for young people are Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)? Does Rock the Vote realize the current Senate plan effectively destroys such plans?
Also, when did Rock the Vote advocate specific political candidates or issues? It used to only push young people to vote their conscience, not voting a particular way. If Rock the Vote was intellectually honest and had a sense of ethical integrity, it would voluntarily give up its 501(c)(3) status.
Does RTV realize that under the Democrats’ Health bill we will be forced to buy “adequate” health care insurance at an average cost of $3800/yr? There is nothing in the bill that controls costs. It just mandates that young people get coverage. RTV, you are not serving our interests! The health care reform has become a joke. We are a lot smarter that you seem to think.
Your video is very pathetic. You guys say you are for young people, yet all you are doing is teaching them to think with their penises. Yes you are getting attention, but if this is the kind of attention you want, well then to be honest, you sound more like a trashy movie star then a political movement. So congrats on getting your new attention with this video. You are getting what you want.
It’s a satire, obviously. Pretty funny. I am truly disappointed that some people just don’t understand that this mocks the majority of the information given to us by our news & government – slim to none. If my interpretation is correct – shouldn’t this make everyone want to demand our media to start reporting facts and demand our government to protect our future not their own wallets. I get it. Maybe we should stop looking to sound bites for our news and start investigating facts ourselves. Bravo to a quite comedic “PSA.”
I don’t support the healthcare bill but if I would have found your PSA intellectually funny, I would have given you credit. Unfortunately, I didn’t. It just once again displayed the ignorance and lack of intelligence in Hollywood. You don’t represent me and BTW, aren’t you suppose to be bipartisan? You have only ruined your reputation as being seen as a reputable voice for the young adults of America.
Funny how you think the only way to get young people to pay attention is through comedy involving sex. I am a college student, your target demographic, and crap like this disgusts me. I am not some holier-than-thou right winger, but this Abercrombie-esque style is not a good way to attract the proper attention to a serious issue. Attention, yes, but not the kind that promotes positive political change. Not to mention the serious partisanship this ad (and organization as a whole) displays…
Regardless, no young person should support the current health care bill because we will be paying the bulk of the cost. As we leave college and find our first jobs and start our careers we will be paying for this “reform.” Reform is absolutely needed, but force feeding the public this current bill and making sure it is done before Christmas (solely so that Obama, Pelosi, and Reid can say they got it done before 2010) is disgusting. This was supposed to be an open debate (as per Obama’s campaign promises) and it has been straight backroom deals and earmarks for difficult senators.
Rock The Vote!
…as long as you vote for what THEY want.
Your stats on young adults who are denied healthcare currently is an outright lie. You fail to tell these same people that under Obamacare, they will be required to buy healthcare or be fined. If they can’t afford it now, nothing will change except now they will be required by the government to buy it, and pay more taxes to boot. How’s that hopenchange workin for ya? You guys are outright liars.
Pathetic… At least I know which shows I’ll be blocking so my kids don’t hear this crap. Your against me??? OK. Now I am against you! We’ll see how things turn out.
This is really funny. I found this video on another site where they were so offended by it. I think it’s great. Are all these people so dense they cannot understand parody and humor?
You rock, Rock the Vote.
If she was supposed to represent an enticement to refuse sex then I, an avowed heterosexual male, would rather become celibate. The main reason for that action would be, that if you are stupid enough to become intimate with such an idiot, you could receive treatment for a probable STD in an emergency room. You do not need the “healthcare” legislation to be taken care of in an emergency room, which is what we have access to in this country, which has the best health CARE in the world! To think that the garbage which Harry Reid has bought with YOUR money, is going to improve on the best, you are indeed headed for psychiatric care, which I believe is missing from the legislation.
Just so you know, a 19 year old girl in my area can get health insurance for $40.84 a month. It’s not a cost issue right now, it’s a choice issue. The majority of the uninsured are young, and CHOOSE not to buy it. This bill will force you to buy it, and also raise the cost. Educate yourself before you “hold out.” Try ehealthinsurance. You’d be amazed.
Re: “It was, after all, written and produced by the talented team at Funny or Die. That should tell you something.”
The only thing that it tells me is that, since they failed at being “funny”, they should try to see if they are capable of the other option. I doubt it though, since their attempt at humor was so humorless, it is probable that they can’t pull off the alternative!
BTW!
Your “Open Letter” is nothing more than a lame attempt at CYA! It would be better if you had devoted that space to announce a name change for your organization to “”Rock The Mopes”!
Oh, go stuff it. You suck! You’re fatigued? Well, the real, non-plastic, non-Hollywood, non-NYC America are fatigued too. We are fatigued with all of you morons that think awards shows, commercials, interviews, & trendy “pop-o-licious” campaigns are the place to spew your ignorance. I really don’t see how being an entertainer or some toked up, liberal ass, UC Berkley or NYU post-grad student qualifies you to attempt to influence American youth. JUST SHUT UP! No one needs your crude, tacky & tasteless campaign with these no-name douche bag actors nor Sarah J Parker saying “Oh, my god, it’s Sarah Palin”. It’s not funny, it’s just desperate, pitiful, & sad. Humor is supposed to make you laugh, this makes me gag. I don’t need to hear anything about another woman’s “Aunt Flo”. Classy!
I will Rock the Vote by asking my congressman to submit legislation to revoke your tax-free status.
Bi-partisan, my ass.
we rocked the vote and all it gave us was a more centralized cheesedick music industry. what comes with this cheese empire and history has proven this!… another wave of cock rock. you can see this already when you watch music videos of peter pansies lip syncing with sulky faces and pucking their lips.
to anyone who is considering to rock the vote – it’s much better to die without getting your dick wet than to put weight behind collective thinking and girls from hollywood who have zits when seen in hi def 1080p 120 hertz.
What a bunch of cry babies. Grow up. Most of you probably have an STD or AIDS and I certainly don’t want to pay for your stupidity. Someone needs to rock your ass.
I sincerely hope that all of the government-control ObamaCare freaks abstain from fucking, forever. That would greatly reduce the Leftards in the population and prevent future Harry Reids and B. Hussein Obamas from entering the gene pool.
Amen! I agree Exador.
The Liberal Harlot video as we have called it.
One of the most alarming aspects of the video is that it is encouraging, enticing and promoting that children/youth tell lies. What nations/peoples or religions create videos telling its young people to tell lies? Islam. Satire it might be for you. However, some youngsters viewing it may not see it as so. Political consciousness is a very serious matter indeed and so is the well being of children and adults. The video was completely irresponsible and typical of the Liberal Democrats. Its time to live in integrity America.
I recommend that you read Revelation chapter 17 and 18 it tells you about the American Harlot.
i just got done taking the pledge! it gave me herpes and genital warts. once my girlfriend pledges and rocks the vote i’ll give into her sexual desires. she’ll then get the susan sarandon sand in her vagina disease. std’s are bad enough, but the hollywood std’s just compound all the symptoms until you look like a walking venereal disease and not able to hide your condition. as you can see in the video susan sarandon’s daughter looks like a venereal disease in hi def 1080p. rock the vote/take the pledge…get something that will make your dick hang sideways.
The sad part is, I am for health care reform, the problem is the stance of ROCK THE VOTE. I was under the impression that ROCK THE VOTE was about encouraging people to speak & vote for themselves, not trying to form those opinions. It’s sad to see this organization use the same tactics that BOTH political parties are guilty of using in order to impose a political agenda. Sad really… but what’s new… ROCK THE VOTE has lost credibility… and considering the defiant stance, will never get it back.
Responsibility begins with a coherent message. I suggest you look at whom is composing these messages int he future. To whit I have fired two of my employees who decided to have rock the vote bumperstickers in their cubicles. I hope they can find healthcare, as their retarded liberal asses no doubt will be in a soupline for a long time to come.
I don’t think anyone who saw this video actually thinks that young people are out there refusing sex until their partner takes a position on healthcare. Maria might be holding out on Arnold until he promotes the bill, but to say this was taken literally is a joke. It is simply a deflection of the issue. The underlying message is to promote the public option in one of it’s current forms (which has not actually been seen by the public).
Money has been wasted in the government on the daily basis, and that is the nature of the bureaucratic system we are a part of. The value of the dollar is declining and taxes are going up anyway with other debt taken on recently. A public option is a horrible incentive for the medical community. Doc’s currently take on the bare minimum government insured clients because they don’t get paid. I huge incentive for going into the medical field is to make money and land girls like the ones in your video! There is no reason to endure 10 years of hell otherwise. Do we really want everyone to have bad healthcare, or would it be better to have quality healthcare for those who decide to pay for it? Remember, the poor and elderly are covered by Medicare and Medicade already.
-Mike, 23
MTV viewer, graphic t-shirt wearer, and target demographic
To Shannon……I really don’t want the gov protecting my future….I think that should be left up to me as a free thinking individual to decide how to protect my future. And what are we doing to our younger generation??? trying for over sex them? The cougar touch was over the top fucked up.
I guess all the negative feedback posted on the RTV will allow RTV to keep their tax-exempt status. both sides are clearly..well maybe not-so-clearly…represented. the reforms were not perfect, they never are, but I think the majority of people understand that what usually happens is the poor get screwed. And, with this legislation it is getting worse and worse for the disadvantaged as the politicians hack the bills to smithereens. then, we all end up with less. at least the liberals are trying to help the under-privileged. the “conservatives” usually help the rich, especially the very rich. from what I’ve read there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding among dissenters.
Asses up ladies and gents…Mack Daddy Obama is going to Rock your world!!!
what do you mean “everyone?”
EVERYONE!
“the professional”
Classic.
You have got to be kidding. This is out and out promotion of an agenda. I never thought you were nonpartisan, but this is really goes above and beyond. Promoting an agenda — even if you think it helps youth or is aligned with what most young people think — is clearly not what non-profit status should be used for. And to claim that you are promoting “issue education” is absurd – you presented arguments for healthcare and none against (and ridiculed one argument against) and suggested that people support the legislation. That’s fine if you want to take stances – just stop pretending you’re nonpartisan or entitled to tax exempt status.
Funny yes but it assumes that we have had a healthy political debate on the health care issue. We have not! Even if it is satire have any of these actors read the health care bill. Most of the poloticians have not. This site should provide information for people to make up their own mind not try and sway a persons thoughts one way or the other using satire. That is one of the best manipulative techniques around. Get someone in a good mood, mention Sex with hot girls, and most peoples guard will come down.
I am not supporting the government holding a gun to my head and forcing me to fork money over to the health insurance companies.
That is fascism.
End of story.
I LOVE this concept. I’m almost 50 and will need your payments into healthcare soon. Your demographics’ portion is estimated to be $8,000 per year. Don’t like it? Too bad. The IRS will send you to jail. Think your employer will pay? Welcome to unemployment. Having trouble finding a job? Too bad. I’m an employer who is planning more layoffs if this Socialism passes. Keep marching lemmings!
WOW, what a load of crap! And clearly the majority of those that are commenting on it here, thinks so as well.
Like TalkRadioDylan said, “your against us?” for not supporting this hideously outrageous bill………. just wait. You’ll see who is against who when the final shoe falls. We, and I’m talking the majority of all Americans, are against this bill. So as much as you think the “Rock the vote” group is going to effect change, you’ll see, in the end, that it didn’t. Well maybe it did. The Rock the Vote group is helping the “other side” see the truth (thanks to the “satire” of this disgusting video) and quickly hop on the “don’t pass this bill” wagon.
I’m glad me, and most of my friends have seen thru’ the crap of “Rock the Vote” and not become part of your silly, immature group of sheep.
Maybe you should abstain for the sake of abstaining. Do what is morally right
This is great!! I support your initiative fully.
I figure, less sex results in less unwanted pregnancies, less disease, less welfare and social programs needed and, since I’m sure you’ll be democrats…..LESS DEMOCRATS.
Talk about a Win-Win!!!
Fantastic!!
I can’t tell you how disappointed I was in the healthcare-themed spot. First, it’s HORRENDOUSLY partisan, which is really shameful. Encouraging engagement by young people in the voting process is great. Encouraging a vote in a certain direction, regardless of the direction, isn’t. Second, the spot paints women as fickle whores, who are incapable of using intellect to win over people of the opposite sex to their way of thinking, and can only offer sex to secure a vote in the direction they like. If that’s Rock The Vote’s position on women’s rights, I really want nothing to do with you.
Rock the vote bipartisan??? NOW THAT”S FUNNY ! But the video is not funny. It’s supposed to be satire? I don’t think so … please someone from rock-the-vote .. explain how it is satirical?
Hey! I have an idea, guys — in the spirit of being nonpartisan, why don’t you try actually giving both sides of the story? It’d be great if you’d fully educate the youth on both sides of the argument and allow them to make their own INFORMED decision. Otherwise, what you’re doing is propaganda, pure and simple.
The silent majority will be heard from in 2010 and 2012. We’ve had enough of fiscal irresponsibility, increasing government control, and social liberalism run amuck. The responses to this shamefully ridiculous video is proof of that.
Unbelievable! Your organization states,”We are creative, effective, and controlled by nobody’s agenda but our own – we tell it like it is and pride ourselves on being a trusted source for information on politics.”
The implication from all your published info is that you are somehow unbiased (tell it like it is) and objective (trusted source for information…) and want all young people to vote, but in truth, the only youth you want to vote are those that will further the agenda set by the left.
Oh, and I suppose if you can’t get them to vote your way up front, not to worry, you also state that you create curriculum that, “demystifies the political process and empowers young people even before they can vote.” Why don’t you just say, “We indoctrinate you before you are of age to vote to guarantee that your vote can be counted on to further our agenda.” (You know, the one you claim as “your own.”)
What a silly ad. I would like to know where the funding from Rock the Vote comes from? I can’t seem to find it anywhere on the site. I am sure much of the funding comes from liberal groups. What a great idea suggest to young Americans to slow a little more to people who vote for health care. If Rock the Vote was really for Young American’s the group would show how the bil actually hurts young americans. It adds fines and taxes to all young Americans. Plus it scrap the best health care program for Young Americans in HSA. These insurance plans run around $100-$200 a month for Americans 18-30 and cover almost everything. But thanks to the Rock the Vote none of these issues are spoke about on this website. We should be ashamed as Americans to allow this kind of video to be made. It is great to tell young Americans to “blank” or not “blank” based on healthcare reform. Way to go Rock the Vote. Please provide some facts on the website from the healthcare bill both good and bad. It appears you haven’t even read it. Also why don’t you let us know where the money comes from to fund “Rock the Vote”?
So go fuck yourself then.
The best gift that has already been given to the Republican party and the intelligent taxpaying citizens of America is actually Obama.
It will be a very very very long time before the Democrats will be able to dig/crawl/scratch themselves out of the hole they are quickly putting themselves into.
Besides, who in gods name would want to fuck a liberal puke like Sarandons daughter. Crawl back to mama little nobody.