RE: Romney's Quote About Young Americans

GOP Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was recently quoted saying he couldn’t see why young Americans could support Democrats. Of all the bogus things Romney has said, this shocked me the most. Particularly because it’s easy to see the advantages young people have gained under the Obama administration.

As a result of Obama and the Democrats’ work, young people have benefitted from:

Ø  Doubled funding for Pell grants so more young people can go to college and graduate with less debt.

Ø  Credit card reform that protects young people from being taken advantage of by credit card companies

Ø  Student loans forgiven for those who go into public service after school

Ø  The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and a continued fight against hateful discrimination

Ø  The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which ensures that women are paid as much as their male counterparts

Ø  The Affordable Care Act, which allows young people to stay on their parents’ insurance policy until the age of 27.

Ø  Fuel efficiency standards that will double vehicles’ fuel economy by 2025 to protect the environment now and in the future.

I’ve only listed here President Obama’s accomplishments that directly affect young people. The list of all the President’s reforms that he and Democrats have carried out in just three years is much longer – and much longer than most presidents can hope to accomplish in two terms.

But speaking as a college student, I’m grateful for the major steps President Obama has taken to help young people, especially in making college more affordable.

As a young American, I’m proud to support our President and the Democratic Party because they advocate for me every day. I don’t see how young Americans could support a Republican candidate who wants to dismantle the benefits we’ve gained from President Obama’s direction.

Gracie Brandsgard