The Obvious Choice in 2008

The Obvious Choice in 2008

Every generation has a shared experience, a set of circumstances that shape and define their lives, and sadly, ours is looking like a generation defined by economic oppression and a lack of opportunities. That life has become more stressful and that more of us are struggling to keep a roof over our heads is clear, and that we have less than our parents had at our age is also a cold reality.

In New York, it has been said that rents have tripled in the last decade; people no longer can afford to move out at 18. In fact, adults in this economy move out somewhere near the age of 30. So, rents have tripled, but our salaries have not.The quality of jobs, fairness in wages, and disappearing benefits have impacted our personal lives in countless ways; we're working harder, many households are either 2 or 3 income families, not by choice but by necessity. We're working more hours often because we need the overtime and some are taking 2 jobs to make ends meet. Suffice is to say that we're working more, but we're getting less.

Benefits are no longer a given, and corporate America has found a loophole to cheat workers - part-time workers don't qualify for benefits. Part-time workers also don't get paid sick days; 401K(s) are becoming something we fantasize about. Having two part-time jobs is something of the norm, even among those that hold advanced degrees.In an economy that oppresses so many, I think we're all ready for a leader who will stand up to corporate greed, a leader that detests the manner in which workers are being exploited; someone that cares that workers are not being paid fair wages, someone that realizes that America has to right this wrong being done to Americans. Suffice it to say that we are all ready for what is long overdue in this country - kinder and gentler capitalism.

The leader that seems to understand this is Senator John Edwards (D-NC). Senator Edwards is bravely doing what most politicians fear - pointing out corporate greed and standing up for the worker. Many political figures look to corporate America for contributions, and so, a certain blindness exists in them, and "see no evil" means that the evil is allowed to flourish and the exploitation continues. But I think our leaders can do better than that. I also think that we've seen enough corporate influence in Washington. And the way to stop this madness is to send a non "insider" to Washington in 2008.If being experienced and a Washington "insider" means seeing more failures on domestic policy, then we're far better off electing someone without this kind of "experience." Senator Edwards does not come across as a man entrenched in Washington dysfunction and corruption, rather, this "outsider" with common-sense values has a pure desire to serve the American people. His focus on domestic policy puts America on the right track.

While we all comprehend the seriousness of foreign policy and our global image, Senator Edwards seems to have brilliantly recognized what Washington "insiders" seems to have missed, and his platform of America putting Americans first is exactly what America needs.Ours is a great country, and when Americans are at their best, they are a fair and generous people with a will and a desire to help everyone around the world, but when we fail to provide economic opportunties at home, we strip America of her ability to remain the benevolent superpower that she is.

We must invest in our people, and we must develop a domestic policy that enables us to educate our people, and to provide them with good, soild jobs. To squander our assests abroad and neglect our people at home seems to be the policy of our current leaders, and this is to the peril of our people and our country, and also, to the rest of the world. Keeping America strong by nuturing its citizens benefits the entire world, and it seems that John Edwards has put two and two together on this critical matter.Our ability to have a postive impact on the world starts at home; on your block, in your city, and in your state. And when each and every American is given the promise of a better tomorrow, they're more likely to do better today. The bitter divide in this country stems from the "two Americas" that Senator Edwards has so eloquently spoken of in the past, and his wonderful vision of one America sounds good to me.

In a America obsessed with the mess in Iraq, nukes in N.Korea, and tensions with Iran, it sure is refreshing to see that someone knows the root to healing these ills starts with healing our own ills at home first. For if we fail to solidify our country and nuture our citizens, it then becomes of matter of when, and not if, we'll sink. Therefore, all I can say about someone like John Edwards is, it's about time.