America needs a candidate to fight special interests

e-mail this story discuss this issue in our forums Guest column • Jenny Sanford: Better health choices mean savings, better quality of life for South Carolinians (02/10/04) • Ed Leap: Tyrannical parents prey on guilt of adult children (02/09/04) • David Shi: Blackwell helped Furman spread its wings (02/07/04) • Dr. Mark O'Rourke: Increase the cigarette tax for the right reason (02/07/04) • Rep. Thomas G. Keegan: Funding university research helps state's economy (02/06/04) More details Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is serving his fourth term in the U.S. Senate. A graduate of Yale University, Kerry is a Navy combat veteran and a former Massachusetts lieutenant governor. For more information, go to www.johnkerry.com.

For millions of hard-working families who are struggling to make a living, that fight could not come soon enough. We have a president who puts tax cuts for the wealthy and special favors for the special interests over jobs, health care and education. And we have too many Americans who feel like a better life is always just beyond their reach.

As I've traveled across America and listened to the concerns and the hopes of working families, people everywhere are standing up to say that they want a candidate with the experience and the background to beat George W. Bush and fight for everyday Americans.

I'm running for president to free our government from the grip of the lobbyists, the drug industry, big oil and the HMOs. I'm running to make America fair again. I'm running so you will have a president who's on your side and who will take on the powerful special interests that stand in your way.

And I'm running to restore fairness, prosperity and justice to our economy; so that instead of Americans working for the economy — the economy works for them. And we're going to repeal the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy so we can invest in health care and education.

Since George Bush took office, 54,620 South Carolina workers who have lost their jobs, and this president has waved goodbye as 56,800 manufacturing jobs have disappeared overseas. When I'm president, we will remove every single loophole that gives a benefit or a reward to any CEO or corporation for sending jobs or profits overseas.

Since George Bush took office, another 8,000 people in South Carolina have lost their health insurance, bringing the total to half a million uninsured. The insurance companies who fund President Bush's next campaign have made millions, while millions of working families can't afford skyrocketing premiums. I'm running for president so that affordable health care will finally be a right, and not a privilege, for every American.

This president has an open hand for his friends at Halliburton, but he has turned his back on our friends and neighbors. He has turned his back on America's teachers and America's schools. If George Bush had kept his promise and funded his own education bill, South Carolina schools would be getting an additional $143 million next year for textbooks, teachers and the resources our children need to learn. He broke this promise, and I will make sure that in this campaign we hold George W. Bush accountable for making a mockery of the words "No Child Left Behind."

We're going to win this fight, but first we need to win against George W. Bush. And I think we need a Democratic nominee who can stand up to this president eye to eye, toe to toe, face to face and make it clear: We Democrats know how to make America safer. I've served my country in Vietnam and for 18 years on the foreign relations committee, and I'm not about to let Tom Delay and Karl Rove question my patriotism.

I'm ready to win this fight. I've been there for the tough fights — and I've stood my ground and fought for what's right. I've beaten the special interests before — and I'm ready to beat them again.

Unlike George Bush, I believe America's strength doesn't just come from captains of industry or corporate leaders on the cover of Fortune magazine. I believe it flows from the millions whose lifestyles aren't rich or famous but who work hard and do what's right. They get up each morning, go to work, raise their children and pay their taxes. They don't ask for special favors or special recognition. They simply want fairness.

A salary that pays the bills. A health-care system where a check-up doesn't empty the family checkbook. A workplace that's fair. College tuition that's affordable. And a chance for their children to have a better life than their parents.

That's not too much to ask for. And the American people have waited too long for someone to deliver. The time for waiting is over. I'm ready to get it done. And I hope you will join me in this fight.