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

Don’t send America a message, send them a President.

These words, spoken by John Kerry in front of 250 people last week here in Ames, sum up in a few words why I support the senator. As Iowans, we have the incredible power to determine who will be the next President. Among all the candidates, Kerry is unique: He is a genuine progressive who has a record of direct action, not just words. John Kerry is a real American hero and a real progressive activist. That’s what it will take to stop Bush.

Kerry is the Senate’s environmental leader. On environmental issues, Kerry holds an unmatched 96 percent lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters. He led the fight against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, protecting one of the few remaining pristine landscapes in America. He heavily promotes the development and implementation of renewable energy sources, including a progressive plan to achieve 20 percent of our energy from renewable sources by 2020.

John Kerry boasts the most foreign policy experience of any candidate in the race. He has served 19 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, building strong relationships with foreign leaders based on respect, not belligerence. Kerry advocates multilateral solutions to problems around the globe and active involvement in the United Nations.

Kerry is very angry at Bush for lying to him and the country about weapons of mass destruction before he rushed into war in Iraq. Kerry, who called for regime change in America shortly after the Iraq invasion, has the endorsement of former Ambassador to Iraq Joe Wilson, who uncovered Bush’s lies about WMD that made the case for war.

If Kerry were President, we would never be in Iraq. His plan to internationalize the rebuilding of Iraq removes the stigma of occupation on our troops while helping ensure that Iraq will be left in better condition than we found it. Only John Kerry has the credibility to make it happen.

On educational issues, Kerry proposes feasible plans that will immediately help students pay for college and significantly lower public university costs.

Kerry will urgently act on expanding college grants to public university students, ending Bush’s higher education cuts. Kerry will institute his Service for College plan, which includes a historic expansion of the Peace Corps. This plan would pay the equivalent of four years state tuition in return for two years of service.

John Kerry’s health care will lower health costs for all Americans and cover every child in America. First, he will eliminate the ban on bulk purchasing that prevents large organizations to leverage companies for lower prices. In every sector of the economy, this is a legal practice — why shouldn’t we use this to our advantage when dealing with our health?

Second, Kerry has developed a system where the government will help insurance companies pay for catastrophic claims. Catastrophic claims account for a fifth of insurance company expenses, yet are only a half percent of actual claims. By minimizing this large liability, insurance companies can substantially lower premiums and expand coverage to more Americans.

Lastly, Kerry will end Bush’s attacks on workers. He has sworn not to sign any trade agreement that does not enforce human rights and environmental standards. He intends to build a level playing field where Americans can compete fairly with other nations.

Sen. Kerry will also step up enforcement and prosecution of corporate executives who abuse their power and enrich themselves by robbing their employees and innocent investors. Only by aggressively searching for these criminals can we rebuild confidence in our financial markets. He also intends to close corporate tax loopholes that allow American companies to set up offshore and avoid billions in taxes each year.

Join me and my fellow ISU students in support of John Kerry. If you have any questions, feel free to check out www.johnkerry.com or contact me at [email protected].