A new YouTube video by the supposedly civic-minded group “Rock the Vote” is so wrong, so objectionable in its attitude and unethical in its spirit in so many ways that it almost justifies the screaming rants that it is certain to provoke on talk radio and from excitable cable commentators like Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck.
The video features a comely young woman and a dim-witted male friend who urge America’s youth to be active in promoting health care reform, using sex as their primary tool of persuasion if reason fails, which it is certain to do since there are no factual arguments in the video pitch at all. Thus the spot is solely about building political support by sexual manipulation. The script of the video is fatuous from a policy perspective; it argues for the need to change the system without ever examining the effectiveness, costs, benefits or likely consequences of the current bill in the House and Senate. This is not surprising. Most passionate advocates of the health reform proposals, including many of those voting for or against them in Congress, don’t have a clue what the actual provisions of the bills are. Still, one would think that a video campaign that urges young people to “educate yourself” might display some interest in the substance of the reform it purports to support so passionately.
It doesn’t care about real arguments, however, or fair persuasion. As is the current fashion in political debate these days, the “Rock the Vote” kids simply assume that there is only one legitimate, virtuous point of view, and promotes a pure “anything goes” strategy to win support for it. “Flirt!” is one method of persuasion the video suggests, implying that a man will agree to anything once his lust is properly triggered. “Lie” is another. Finally, the video’s stars lead a group pledge that informs all opponents of current health care reform proposals (that the pledge-takers almost certainly haven’t read, remember) that “We will vote against you, work against you, and once again, just in case you forgot, never ever, never ever, never ever, never ever fuck you.”
Well, you must be right about health care, then!
Just to make sure this last flourish isn’t taken as satire or parody, the group’s website reinforces the sentiment with an on-line pledge for politically astute visitors who are sexually desirable to sign:
“We pledge ourselves to the health and liberty of young Americans. We pledge to educate ourselves and to stand with those who fight for us and against those who do not. We demand health care, and we are willing to hold out for it.”
Classicists among you might argue that the video and pledge are inspired by the ancient Aristophanes anti-war satire Lysistrata, in which women plot to end war by withholding their sexual favors. If so, then the creators of the video understand the play even less than they understand the complexities of the health care system. It is predicated on the anti-war myth that wars only occur because men like to fight, and that warfare is just another pastime that testosterone-enslaved males will gladly give up if made to choose between killing and, well, you know. Anyone who takes its tongue-in-cheek solution to violence seriously is, I’m afraid, too naive to trust in policy matters. The comedy is part feminist insult and part joke.
The video is an insult too, but it insults our system of government and the intelligence of the video’s viewers. Democracy presumes free choice, not coerced capitulation, whether the threat is one of imposing physical harm or withdrawing of physical pleasure. It displays disrespect for opposing views and those who hold them, by declaring that an individual who doesn’t agree with the party line on health care is literally unlovable.
The video also endorses buying support with the promise of sex–bribery, the mirror image of extortion. This message comes, remember, from a group whose website boasts that it gives “young people the tools to identify, learn about, and take action on the issues that affect their lives, and leverage their power in the political process.”
Some “tools.”
Obnoxious, corrupt, infantile, irresponsible, arrogant, dripping with contempt for American institutions and ignorance of ethical values, “Rock the Vote’s” video feels like a “bring your kids to work day” gone horribly wrong. Any one with respect for civic responsibility and public discourse should have the exact opposite response to it that its misguided creators intend: if this is the caliber of thinking typical of “Obamacare” supporters, I want to be on the other side.
Sure, sex is great, but nothing is worth hanging out with this crowd.
Ethics Alarms 
Jack,
Though it does nothing to change the ethical issues at play, it may make you feel better to know that “Rock the Vote” is to politics what MTV is music. The whole thing is just heavily sponsored youth marketing disguised as political activism. The “pledge” is less about encouraging grassroots involvement and more about acquiring email addresses and gaining website hits. It’s telling that their public face is composed mostly of musicians and entertainers; they’re putting on a show.
Moreover, any success they have in “reaching” kids is usually off-set by blow-back from the other side. Not that popularity should affect consideration, but I have a hard time getting worked up over something so meaningless. As always, however, your comments are much appreciated ..
-Neil
Oh, I know all that. And I don’t think many votes or converts are won this way. If I were in my 20’s however, I’d be insulted, and whatever their objective—marketing, politics—videos like this are moronic, and fulfill the worst fears of adults about where politics is headed. Hollywood’s not going to remake America in its dim-blib image, but we still need to call foul every time the try.
The use of the four-letter word for intercourse in this commercial is a microcosm of the coarseness of our political discourse. Where are the cries from the so-called leaders of our body politic decrying the misguided nature of this message, regardless of the efficacy of the policy it seeks to promote?
He who is silent is understood to consent.
Oh, but that’s a trap: anyone who criticizes the form must be criticizing the motive, don’t you see?—and thus is an evil, Fox-like conservative fogie. Why is objecting to this brain-melting insult to democracy ideological? Why aren’t all the news commentators collectively retching? Because this dumbing down and coarsening of political advocacy to using bodily functions as leverage is for a “good cause”? Really? REALLY?
I don’t understand why Dems don’t call out their extreme ranks and be critical of the means. I’m a fence sitter. If Obama came out and said “hey, I know some people have done some weird things to incite dialogue in favor of my goals, but they aren’t communicating my message properly. My message is this….”
If he said those words, I might actually start to build some trust in him. But he sits there silent while everyone runs amuck. When you have a lot of support for something, you need to quiet the distractors, and no one is more distracting than extreme-thinkers.
This goes directly back to our previous discussion on silence setting a new standard. When the kids come into the shop making a scene and Jack tells them to behave because the clerk has no power over them, jack is reinforcing acceptable standards.
In this story, GOP is the clerk (no power) and Jack is the Dem leadership, while the kids are the extreme-thinkers. They need guidance and positive examples.
On the bright side, I guess I don’t have to worry about being seduced by these fine young examples of political and sexual activism.
See, there is a silver lining, even to this swill!
Boy, I don’t know, Glenn…did you see the video? She’s awfully cute…perfectly qualified to be an opinion leader and transformative figure.
Would it be ethical to release a video in response to this with two guys saying, “What makes you think you have a choice in the matter? If you support that bill, we’ll make sure we rape you. Because screw you telling us you won’t have sex with us because of some bill. I’ll decide whether or not I’ll have sex with you, not you.”
Never did like Lysistrata… some of my female classmates read it like it was a battle plan.
“Would it be ethical to release a video in response to this with two guys saying, “What makes you think you have a choice in the matter? If you support that bill, we’ll make sure we rape you. Because screw you telling us you won’t have sex with us because of some bill. I’ll decide whether or not I’ll have sex with you, not you.”
It would most certainly not be ethical, why would the idea even pop into your brain, what the **** is wrong with you anyway?
I think Jeff was being hyperbolic, but yes, it would be unethical. There are a lot of good responses to the video–threatening violence would not be one of them.
Yes, the tone would have to be VERY specific to even read as funny.
Don’t worry, I hear that particular sentence a lot (the one that starts “what the ****”) when I let my brain wander.
To put in my two cents, I AM in the demographic they’re trying to reach. I may be an aberration (sic?) but I feel slighted that these fools think I (or any of my peers, many of whom would feel the same way if they knew) would be influenced by such nonsense.
I would think—hope—that your reaction is typical. I think the whole campaign is condescending and insulting to its supposed target group. Why not offer young voters candy or a trip to Busch Gardens? Free videos of “American Pie”?
Is long term care insurance covered in health reform? I want to update my web site.
As I understand it, it is. To be certain HOW it is covered, you would have to find someone reliable and unbiased who has actually read both bills. You might have better luck finding a yeti.
Mr or Mrs Webmaster i just received a alert from my firewall when i opened your website do you happen to know why this occured? Could it maybe from your advertising or something? Thanks, really odd i pray it was harmless?
I have no idea. There’s no advertising here.