Tye Parks

[I edited and sent this letter to our local paper]

“As a voter, and a member of the poverty-fighting group ONE, I have partnered with the more than 2.4 million ONE members nationally in an effort to make the fight against extreme poverty and global disease an issue in the 2008 presidential election.

I know global poverty is usually not part of the conversation when it comes to presidential politics. But through ONE Vote ’08, ONE’s non-partisan effort made up of ordinary voters and some of the most experienced political and policy experts in America, that’s all changing. ONE members are engaging the candidates at campaign stops across America and asking them about their plans to fight poverty and save lives. Candidates are responding, some with policy speeches, others by incorporating global poverty into their national security platforms.

As “Super Tuesday” approaches, ONE Vote ’08 only plans to turn the pressure up. For instance ONE members have gotten all of the major candidates to go on the record and lay out their concrete plans to fight global poverty and disease if elected, for all voters to see. I encourage voters to view those plans and compare the candidates at www.onevote08.org/ontherecord.

We live in a country with global influence, and in our vote we have a voice in how that influence is leveraged. For the sake of the lives being lost and the security of Americans here at home, addressing global poverty and disease must be part of this year’s campaign. Interested in hearing something a little different out of the candidates this year? Visit ONE.org and get involved.”

I normally wouldn’t send a partially pre-written letter to the newspaper but I liked most of what it said and I believe in the efforts behind the ONE campaign. We live in a powerful country but I think that sometimes we get caught in this inward focused interaction with the world.  I think some people might respond defensively toward America’s involvement in a global issue.  Some believe that the best way in be secure American is to focus our energy and resources on “America’s problems”.  What is at times missed is that by leveraging our power for powerless people globally we make things safer here. Efforts to increase the availability of clean water, for instance, helps reduce the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS and opens the door of opportunities for people who have been trapped in cycles of poverty and violence.  It is not difficult to understand how making a positive impact globally can bring security to our own nation.  We have seen the ramifications of injustices going unchecked (and at times even being aided) on our national security.  I don’t normally like being publicly “political” but I think that this issue merits a public response.  Seeing the effects of disease and poverty destroy lives is reason enough to worry little about saving face.  Leveraging power on behalf of the powerless is at the heart of God, it is what He has done for us through and requires of us in, Christ.