Editor’s note: The Daily invited registered student organizations supporting presidential candidates to write columns in support of their candidates.

As the once-forgotten state of Iowa becomes a national attraction, I wonder what has suddenly thrown little old Iowa into the spotlights. One simple reason: We have the first caucuses in the nation, and possibly the most pivotal.

The coming elections are crucial. We have an opportunity to take our country back from power-hungry politicians who will do anything for money and campaign contributions. We must give the most powerful position in the world to someone who not only knows how to speak in complete sentences, but is also able to provide for the citizens the office represents.

The candidate we will be caucusing for has a platform that warms our hearts and fills us with joy and hope. We need to elect a candidate who has his head on straight and his values in order. Many of you know who we are speaking of — Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Representative from Ohio.

His plan for universal health care will rival some of the best health care plans in the world. More than 40 million American live without health care; this is unacceptable, and as the richest country in the world, we should be able to offer health care to every citizen.

This candidate plans to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization. These two global trade regimes are helping the multinational corporations become richer and leaving everyone else behind. For workers, family farmers and the environment, it has meant a steady deterioration of rights and working conditions. Any future trade treaties will be based on values and morals, including fair trade and human rights.

This candidate will also repeal some of the most destructive acts ever passed. The Patriot Act is one of the single most dangerous threats to our civil liberties and privacy. This act has all but destroyed the Bill of Rights our country is based upon. A new level of fear has developed in our country, and it has done nothing but make us less safe.

This candidate has plans to return the rural communities and family farms back to what they were meant to be. Smart growth and protection of the family farm is something close to our hearts, and we want a president that will help stand for so many outspoken farmers.

Two of the most important issues to students are: 1) Guaranteed quality education, from pre-kindergarten all the way to higher education, and 2) A commitment to peace and international relations.

As our tuition keeps increasing, our funding from state and federal sources keeps declining. The universities need to make up that revenue without cutting services or quality, so the tuition must increase. The best way to lower tuition and keep the standards of education as high as they are is to pour more funding back into state and local education budgets. Every single one of us on this campus is affected. It is time we stand up for our education and elect a candidate who will keep his promise and return public education back to the public. Studies show that education is the single most effective way to reduce poverty. Let’s do this for not only us, but also for our future children.

As my final point, we would like to echo Dennis Kucinich’s commitment to peace. Social justice, demanding human rights, encouraging other countries to disband their nuclear arsenal by leading by example; these are all things that need to be done for our world to be safer. We don’t need to wage a ruthless war on innocent people for the United States to become safer. We need to extend our helpful hand and become friends with, not wage war on, other countries. Kucinich is the only candidate who speaks of nonviolence and doesn’t believe war is inevitable.

For the reasons stated above, we give our endorsement to Dennis Kucinich. As Kucinich himself said, “I would be electable if you would just vote for me.”

We, the citizens of the United States of America have a duty that we must uphold, and a position of privilege that we must use. When we go to the caucuses on Monday, Jan. 19, we will uphold our duty and caucus for Dennis Kucinich. Save the world, vote Kucinich.

Ramsey Tesdell is treasurer of Students for Kucinich. He is a sophomore in technical communication from Slater.

Tamim Mahayni is a member of Students for Kucinich. He is a sophomore in liberal arts and sciences from Ames.