The Issues
We know that America has the smarts, know-how, and desire to fix these problems. But to address these issues effectively, we need an aggressive, nationally coordinated plan with strong leadership from the very top. Our next President needs to provide this leadership. Therefore, we’re calling upon every Presidential candidate to outline a detailed plan to address these issues and to communicate that plan clearly through every means available to them. Global Warming
Global warming is happening, and if we don’t act fast, the consequences will be severe. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the UN body that assesses global warming research, found that the evidence of global warming is “unequivocal” and human activities are responsible for most of the increase in global temperatures. We are already seeing early signs of climate change with melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and increasingly severe storms and droughts. More College Affordability
An affordable college education is becoming obsolete for millions of Americans. States have cut college budgets in the last decade, so tuition has increased while financial aid programs have failed to keep pace. Meanwhile ancillary college costs have skyrocketed, exacerbating the problem. Now, students are forced to take on unmanageable debt – over $19,000 in college loans. In total, this debt burden increasingly shuts out students from the lowest incomes from a college degree and restricts graduates’ career choices. More Health Care
The price of doctor visits, prescription drug prices and other basic medical needs is out of control. This puts even the simplest health care basics out of reach for many young people, while one medical emergency can throw a young person just starting out on her own into crippling debt. Financial Security
There are numerous ways in which financial security is out of reach for many young people. Credit card companies ensnare young people with manipulative terms and conditions that pile on debt and ruin credit ratings. Payday loan stores lure customers with the promise of easy money, and then trap young people with usurious payback rates.
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