In 1994, I was in a creative writing class in which the teacher gave the writing prompt of "What would you do if you were president?"
I was probably the only one who had a fairly clear idea of what I would do in that situation and of why I wished to hold that office.
I addressed my essay to the person who held the job at the time, Bill Clinton, and gave him a list of what I wished he would do.
I envisioned the president as the person whose job it was to lead and protect us, the one in whom we trusted to heal our troubled nation in the wake of the many tragedies our nation faced during that decade -- to hold us together in the wake of horrors and also make us truly the strong and respected nation that we need to be in this world, even in times of peace.
I beseeched Clinton to be true to the beliefs that he holds dear in his heart -- to not merely align himself with the issues that his public relations department advised him he needed to support to continue having the approval of the nation.
I stated that he was "the first person who I ever voted for, and I take my decision to vote for [him] very seriously, so if [he] fail[s], I failed in my judgment as well for my vote was an act of faith to [his] your character and discernment in heading the leadership in our elected governmental body."
I may sound cocky, advising the president how to do his job, but even the youth that I was when I wrote this essay understood something that is still true today: I am -- just as you are -- one of the many "bosses" to whom the person in this position is responsible.
Why did I see myself as a good potential candidate? I am truly a representative of the people. Instead of being one of those who grew up with a silver spoon, I grew up working class and I'm making my way toward a white-collar career.
I've actually had experience with the social programs that often are debated in our capital: I've received food stamps, welfare and unemployment.
How about you? Instead of talking about the leaders we elect to serve us, become one yourself!
Make a difference!
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