Last Saturday, I attended my local Democratic Party caucus to vote for the delegates to the state convention. It was an exciting afternoon for two reasons: first, because so many BU students turned out to vote and to speak; and second, because so many students supported Steve Grossman.
Week after week, The Daily Free Press runs articles and letters that bemoan the apathetic and uninvolved nature of our student body. But this weekend, dozens of BU students turned out to prove that they really do care about politics, about our school and about our city.
I don’t think it’s an accident that so many of these students support the campaign of Steve Grossman, as I do. Of all the candidates in the confusing governor’s race, Steve is the only one who combines progressive Democratic values with real-world business sense. He isn’t a Beacon Hill insider, embroiled in the patronage and corruption that have turned so many students off from becoming involved in local politics. Instead, he’s a local business owner with fresh and realistic ideas that appeal to lots of young people, including college students.
As students, we will all be looking for jobs in the next couple of years. Many of us want to stay in Boston when we graduate — if we can find the jobs! Steve Grossman doesn’t just talk about creating jobs — he’s done it in his business year after year. He is the only candidate in this race whom I trust to make sure that the jobs will be here when I get out of school in a year.
I like Steve Grossman because of his values. He is in support of civil unions for gay couples and even received the endorsement of Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who signed similar legislation in his own state. He also has a specific plan for improving education in Massachusetts: He has proposed a “21st Century Teacher Corp.,” which would provide students with a four-year college scholarship in exchange for a commitment to teach in Massachusetts public schools for at least five years.
What’s very exciting is the Democratic Party has actually carved out a special place for young people to take part in the state convention. They reserve “add-on” delegate slots for young people ages 18-35, as well as for minorities and people with disabilities. As college students, we qualify for at least one of these groups; if you’re interested in getting involved, just send me an email (amargo@bu.edu).
As the election gets closer and the Grossman campaign continues to gain momentum, I think college students everywhere will get on board with the candidate who promises the best future for the students who live here. In the meantime, I’m proud the motivated activists on our campus have thrown their support behind this progressive candidate.
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