Jason Croucher, 23, a newly elected member of the Osage City Council in Osage City, Kansas is no stranger to politics. He's served on several campaigns from Congressional to US Senate, state races, not to mention his active participation in the state's Young Dems. It was only a matter of time before Jason ran for office.

"While I'm certain all of my fellow council members have the best for the city at their hearts, being 23 with plans to live in Osage City for the foreseeable future, I have a stronger drive to see us make progressive investment in the future of the city." Croucher says.

Neighbor to the south - a 2 term State Representative in Oklahoma Ryan Kiesel agrees.

"I think I have a good prospective of long term policies. Take an older guy who entered out of retirement, for example, you can hear them talk about how policies will mean a lot for his kids or her grandkid - but I'm part of that generation. Being younger helps give you greater long term prospective"

Kiesel was elected having finished his undergraduate degree but still enrolled in law school at the age of 24. He was the youngest Representative ever elected in Oklahoma.

And they are not alone. Young electeds are popping up all over the place. Cindy Montanez was the youngest person ever elected to the Assembly in the state of California at the age of 28 as well as the youngest person ever elected to the San Fernando City Council at the age of 25. Eugene Pearson was 22 when he narrowly lost his bid for the Boulder City Council - he graduated from CU a month after the election and now serves on the New Era Colorado board. In Massachusetts, 23-year old Ken Procaccianti ran on the Republican ticket for state Representative in the 3rd Suffolk District. 22-year old Patrick Schmitt - Democratic candidate for State Senate in Rhode Island.

"Both Procaccianti and Schmitt face challenges other than just their ages. Procaccianti is taking on an incumbent who has been in office for nearly 30 years and is currently House Speaker. Schmitt's opponent is the Senate Minority Leader, who has run unopposed since 1992." Campaigns and Elections Magazine

One of the greatest thing that I loved about the new film Amazing Grace is that the Abolitionist Movement in England was pushed by the youngest elected officials of its time. My personal favorite came in an exchange between young William Wilberforce and William Pitt (Jr.)

William Wilberforce: "No one of our age has ever taken power."
Pitt the Younger: "Which is why we're too young to realize certain things are impossible. Which is why we will do them anyway."

Croucher isn't afraid to follow in the tradition.

"All of the members of the council want to see growth, of course, but many of them are retired individuals, or at least middle-aged people who have already seen their children graduate from high school or college. They aren't nearly as willing to grab the progressive bull by the horns and really fight for dramatic change as I am."

But how is it possible? Do older people really take age into consideration when they are voting or are younger members exploding in their area. Croucher and Kiesel don't have big youth populations - in fact Kiesel has said he gets more support from the seniors in his community.

"I think they see me as a positive representative of my generation and someone who will represent their interests and they want to support that."

Croucher agrees - saying its an old cliché that he's hoping holds true for him "they wanted the young idealist with the energy to get something done,"he said.

"Now that I hold a "real" elective office, I have seen young people in the community, from high school-aged kids to young professionals, become very interested in what I'm doing, and they've been quick to wish me well and offer any help the can give me. All I've asked from them is to make sure I know what they need from me as their councilmember."

New Era Colorad's Executive Director has seen similar activity since their bill passed.

"I've actually talked to quite a few students who said they'd be interested in running for the Boulder seat (in the Colorado House of Representatives)," said Steve Fenburg, 23, Executive Director of New Era Colorado, an organization that lobbied for passage of this bill." Colorado Daily

The US isn't the only place with an astounding number of young people stepping up to run for office and work in political service. In Toril, Davao City in the Philippines, Jeppie Ramada, 25

"shakes hands with his audience, composed mostly of barangay leaders and local residents. He introduces himself and goes on to discuss pressing issues, particularly those closest to his heart: people's issues, such as high cost of prices and civil liberties." May 14, 2007

The Colorado Daily claims "Opponents say young people should gain background and experience before qualifying to hold high-ranking political positions." I would argue - that philosophy didn't stop President Bush from taking office. The day we start saying age is a reasonable tool for "experience" and who is "qualified" and who's not is the day we end up with a whole bunch of politicians who are only in it for their own benefit and their own.... personal..... philosophies...... hang on.. . . . well, I'll be damn.

With rampant corruption, fondling of interns, constant miscalculation misallocation of funds, kick-backs, setbacks, and creative facts one can't help but wonder if a few keg parties - and tennis shoes with suits would be the least of our troubles....

Croucher just wants to bring more to the fold. He might be one of few in Osage City, but he joins an army of young leaders, political workers, and activists across the country and indeed the world in making things happen.

"I hope I can show young people that live around me that you can run for office if you're under 30 and that you can make a difference regardless of age."

Watch some of the 30 Something Caucus battle it out in Congress ... after midnight of course