What do people really want from their president? If it were that easy to answer, then most campaign analysts and political pundits would be unemployed. Although the answer to this question can easily become complicated and convoluted, I believe it is really quite simple - we want someone who can make our lives better.
Our individual ideas about who this person is will vary depending on our needs and priorities, but let's think for a moment about who will make our collective lives better. The Democratic party and Al Gore are about empowerment. George W. Bush's mantra for the past six months has been, "Instead of trusting the government, I trust you." This sounds great, but what it really means is, "I will leave the forces of nature to do as they will with you." He believes that if you have money or resources, you should do what you want with them. But if you don't... well, then he doesn't believe that it's the government's responsibility to help you.
Empowerment, on the other hand, isn't about growing the federal government by enormous amounts or about not trusting the American people. It is about providing opportunities for people who need help. It is about sharing our prosperity so that it benefits not just those who already have money, but those who are working hard to better their lives. It is about the "American Dream".
Empowerment is embodied in affirmative action, labor unions, and education for all Americans. It is embodied in a woman's right to choose, environmental protection, and a balanced budget. Al Gore believes that all people should be afforded the same opportunities regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Al Gore believes in the rights of the working class to be protected with a higher minimum wage and health care benefits. Al Gore believes in tax credits for higher education, performance testing for public school students and teachers, and universal pre-school. Al Gore believes that a woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body. Al Gore believes that we should protect and preserve our natural resources so that we don't limit our options in the future. Al Gore believes that we should balance the budget every year and pay down the national debt so that we can spend our money in productive ways.
Gore's stance on these issues shows that he believes in giving people the power to affect their own lives. The federal government has an important role to play in making this happen, but that doesn't make Gore, or the Democrats, "big spending, Washington cronies." The problem with George W. Bush is that he doesn't understand what government really is - the American people. We are a self-governed body and by using our collective resources to execute our collective will we can make our collective lives better. That is Al Gore's vision and that is why he will be the best president.
Megan Dooley is a senior majoring in international relations. She is currently teaching an exploration class entitled "The Making of a President: The 2000 Election."
