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Letter: Vote in my place, and vote for Bruce Braley
Op-Ed · October 31, 2014
Only one and a half months ago, I was given the opportunity of lifetime to be an intern with the Iowa Democratic Party. Hoping to learn more about our political system, I graciously agreed to take the position.
Through my experiences thus far, I’ve not only learned a great deal about how politics works, but have been able to meet candidates and develop my own political views. Most importantly, I have developed a firm belief that we must invest in education because our future depends upon it.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Congressman Bruce Braley came to the Memorial Union in Iowa City on October 21, 2014 and I had the amazing opportunity to participate in this real-world civics lesson.
Given that this event took place in Iowa City, most of the audience members were students from the University. Therefore, education was the main topic of discussion. This issue hit home for me. My mother and father are both disabled and therefore have been unable to work. Because my parents did not have a steady income, I grew up on food stamps and Medicaid.
Additionally, because of my parents’ disabilities, they won’t be able to pay for me to go to college. I know that now is more important than ever to get good grades and be as involved in my school and community as possible so that I can get scholarships to go to college. And while I hope to receive enough scholarships to finance my education, I know that I’ll inevitably need to apply for student loans and Pell grants.
After hearing Bruce Braley and the First Lady speak about his strong vision for prioritizing education, it puts me on tenterhooks knowing that I cannot vote.
Braley plans to lower the interest on student loans, keep the Department of Education and will oppose privatizing student loans. Knowing that I’m going to have to pay my own way through college, it honestly scares me to think of the mountain of debt I would be burdened with if the Department of Education is eliminated or student loans privatized.
I’m definitely excited for Nov. 4th to see the outcome because this is such a critically important and close race. That’s why even though I can’t legally vote yet, I’m doing all I can to help get people to vote for Braley, who I know will fight for me and the rest of Iowa.
Sincerely,
Katie Hovancik, West Branch
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