When I was a child and I first considered the that problems people faced, I concluded as if it were obvious, “Why can’t we just help each other out?” My life since has been spent trying to reconcile my youthful idealism with the shortcomings of our world.

2004 arrived after a long four years of our current administration and my will to help solve problems was frustrated. I was eager to find someone on the national stage who I could put my trust in–someone who the political system had not compromised–someone who could relieve my cynicism and revive my faith in the good tomorrow might bring.