This Thanksgiving, as we gather around the table with friends and family it may seem that we have little for which to be thankful. Many Americans are out of work, our economy is struggling, and our government is paralyzed by partisanship. Still we all have things for which we are thankful and we all have on thing in common. This year I am thankful for many things but, with a child on the way, I am most thankful for America's future. I am thankful for America's future because we have an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen the promise of our nation.
I am thankful for America's future because we have the opportunity to reshape our nation's economy. In the coming months and years we can move from a bubble based financial sector economy, back to an economy built on manufacturing and innovation. We can reward companies who hire American workers and take tax breaks away from those who ship jobs oversees. We can enforce trade deals with worker and environmental protections. Our workers can be offered training for industries in the new economy. Our national infrastructure can be rebuilt as we put Americans back to work building roads and bridges. The nation's teachers, police officers, and firefighters can get back to work as we provide aid to state and local governments. We can make our financial system more secure and prevent risky Wall Street banks from taking sinking our economy by passing an updated Glass-Steagall Act. Because we can take these steps our children will have a more prosperous and stable economy in their future.
I am thankful for America's future because our education system will improve as we make needed investments in our schools. We will hire more teachers, sometimes putting more than one in a classroom. Our nation will set minimum textbook and curriculum standards to insure the Thomas Jefferson appears in every state's textbooks. We will find a better system than standardized tests to evaluate our students and teachers. In the future we will make higher education more accessible by reducing the cost of tuition and by expanding grant and loan programs. In America's future our children's education will allow them to compete for jobs with those in any nation.
I am thankful for America's future because the 99% has found our voice. This movement will ensure that even those who can not write large checks will still have a voice in Washington. We have the opportunity to reform our tax system so that we all share the burden. As the 99% we can make sure that Washington focuses just as much on main street as it does Wall Street. In America's future the 99% will be heard.
This Thanksgiving I am thankful because America's future is bright. I am thankful for what that means for my child who is due to arrive soon. This is what will drive me in 2012 and beyond. As we give thanks, let us remember that these things will not happen on their own. Let us remember that it will take our unity, our dedication, and our sacrifice. Then let us be thankful for America's future. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Sean Hubbard
Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate
www.hubbardforsenate.com
www.facebook.com/hubbardforsenate