I've spent year after year barely making it and watching those around me eke out a living, praying that nothing goes wrong. I have a friend whose car won't go more than 25 mph so she leaves for work at 5 am. She can't afford the repairs. I have another friend who hasn't been able to afford groceries this week. I have a tooth that broke in half a couple of months ago. I have insurance but I don't know when I'll have the $200 copay to spare.

We're all college educated. We all work 2+
jobs, 70 hour weeks. It's crushing out there - the feeling like you're barely staying afloat and that there's no relief in sight. The feeling that the rest of your life is going to be spent swimming in circles, knowing that one financial blow could drown you.

I have felt hopeless for a long time. John Edwards has given me hope. I didn't think that any politician would stand up to any corporation as long as he/she could make a buck. His campaign has actually made me feel more valuable than big business. I had given up on that. I care again and feel like I matter in this country. The difference that makes is indescribable.