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For my generation, the end of a war is something of a foreign concept. I was 22 years old when we went into Iraq, and for most of my adult life, our country has been at war in Iraq.
Our military has fought valiantly throughout those nine years, fulfilling every mission it was given, even though it seemed at times as if our occupation would be indefinite.
But on Thursday at a ceremony in Baghdad, our military leaders cased its colors and left the country. By the holidays, our troops will be home with their families.
For those of us who supported Barack Obama in 2008 in part because of our shared opposition to the Iraq War, this is a significant day. The leader we helped elect has kept his word and brought this war to a responsible end.
We are also proud that our President has restored our image around the world and relationships with allies, both of which had been tested by our involvement in Iraq. The President rightly refocused our attention on Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the 9/11 terror plot was hatched, and has eliminated more than half of al Qaeda's leadership - including, of course, Osama bin Laden.
While the end of a war may be new to young Americans, the return of our veterans is something we know well. My generation takes great pride in our military and what it has accomplished, including this new era of democracy for the Iraqi people who, starting today, will determine the future of their nation.
The President takes seriously his responsibility to ensure that everyone whose service made this day possible can get the care and benefits they earned. And we support the President's fulfillment of another promise: to make sure our Iraq veterans can go to college at no cost, get quality healthcare and get the training they need to find a job in the civilian workforce. He's also encouraging companies to hire our veterans and put them back to work - a plan that will help not only those companies and veterans, but also our economy as a whole.
As we celebrate the end of a war, we keep close to our hearts the memories of 4,500 brave Americans - many of them young Americans like us - who gave everything for our country. They are my generation's truest heroes.
In the coming days, Congress will consider the extension of the Bush tax cuts. I am hopeful that Democrats and Republicans alike will stand up for the next generation of Americans by opposing an additional $700 billion in deficits over the next decade. It comes as no surprise that our young people will be left to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans.
Republicans have insisted that we can't afford to let the Bush tax cuts expire for anyone during a recession. The truth is that by allowing the cuts to sunset for high earners, the top 2% will be taxed at a rate on par with the 1990's, which was one of the greatest periods of economic growth this country has ever seen.
The GOP is presenting a false argument. President Obama has already acknowledged the importance of extending tax cuts for those making less than $250,000 a year. We can, in fact, offer tax relief for 98% of Americans, accelerate economic growth and ensure some semblance of fiscal responsibility.
Congress has a choice to make. We can either begin investing in the middle class or we can continue the failed fiscal policies that left us on the brink of economic collapse. My generation is closely watching this vote to see if our leaders have the courage to do what's right for our future rather than what's politically convenient right now.
"Today the Young Democrats of America mourn the loss of Senator Robert C. Byrd, the longest serving member of Congress in U.S. history. While his distinguished career has come to a close, his impact on our democracy will live on for many years to come. He leaves behind a heritage of public service and commitment to the Constitution that was unrivaled by any of his peers. In many ways, he emblemized the legislative branch of our government, and his presence will forever be felt in the halls of the United State Senate.
"Senator Byrd rose from humble beginnings and, in turn, dedicated his entire life to the working men and women of West Virginia. He was also a leader who sincerely acknowledged his own shortcomings and regrets, which is all too rare a quality in modern politics. The next generation of public servants would do well to follow his example.
"Most members of YDA only witnessed the closing years of his tenure in Congress, but by his own admission, those years contained some of the finest moments of his career. In 2002, at the age of 84, Senator Byrd inspired a new generation of political leaders through his courageous opposition to the Iraq War. In a memorable speech on the Senate floor he proclaimed, 'History will prove it was wrong to invade another country without provocation. That is wrong. That was wrong then, and it would be wrong fifty years from today.' In some respects, the Change that was achieved in 2006 and 2008 was born out of a movement that began with his powerful words.
"As a lifelong West Virginian, I was deeply honored to be not only his constituent but his friend. All West Virginians and all Americans have benefited from his tireless service for nearly six decades. While we have suffered an irreplaceable loss, Senator Byrd's legacy will long live on as the conscience of a nation."
Rod Snyder
Acting President
Young Democrats of America
I had the pleasure of attending the West Virginia Young Democrats State convention last weekend in Shepherdstown. The Environmental Caucus met, which got a lot of people renewing their thoughts about Mountain Top Removal (for brevity MTR). MTR has unfortunately plagued this state for a number of years, so I though that naturally there would be a general consensus that it was indeed a bad thing. For the most part I was right, but the idea was met with some opposition.
When expressing their dismay about MTR, one young fellow persisted to defend its importance to the state saying "we should all just accept it as a part of our state and the state's economy as a whole
Personally, I oppose MTR. It wreaks havoc across the state and is an environmental nightmare. Just ask the distinguished environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about it. He has visited the state on numerous occasions, championing the expulsion of MTR as a way of mining.
I realized after this brief encounter with an opposing view in the Democratic party arena, that maybe there isn't unanimous dissent of this mining method. I, however, still oppose MTR on the grounds of what it is doing to the state.
West Virginia's own Rod Snyder was elected this past weekend as executive vice president of the Young Democrats of America.
Rod Snyder is a native of Jefferson County, West Virginia. He graduated in 2002 with honors from Eastern University in Philadelphia with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and currently works as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. on agriculture policy.
Rod was a candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2004 and was named the state's 2005 Outstanding Young Democrat of the Year. He serves as Mid-Atlantic Region Director for the Young Democrats of America and is also completing a two-year term as President of the West Virginia Young Democrats.
In 2008, Rod managed three successful campaigns in West Virginia, including the election of the youngest ever female legislator in the history of the state. He also served on the Agriculture and Rural Policy Advisory Committee for the 2008 Barack Obama for President Campaign.
Rod is an accomplished singer/songwriter and was a semifinalist on season four of the television show "American Idol." In 2006, he released his debut full-length album entitled "Leaving Hollywood Behind."
Current Office:
Director, YDA Mid-Atlantic Region
Previous Offices:
President, West Virginia Young Democrats (2007 - 2009)
Secretary, YDA Mid-Atlantic Region (2005 - 2007)
National Committeeman, West Virginia Young Democrats (2005 - 2007)
President, Jefferson County (WV) Young Democrats (2004 - 2005)
Top Three Young Dems Accomplishments:
*Vastly expanded the membership of the West Virginia Young Democrats by doubling the number of local chapters and creating a brand new caucus structure within the state. Also emphasized strong high school programs and leadership development opportunities for the youngest members in the organization.
*Created a long-term base of funding for the West Virginia Young Democrats by establishing an annual donor program called the Jennings Randolph Society.
*Cultivated effective working relationships within the Mid-Atlantic Region as Region Director through regular conference calls and communications, as well campaign invasions and other networking opportunities.
I remember canvassing with several young Democrats from Washington who came out because Rod asked them to.
The West Virginia Young Democrats (WVYD) is a broad-based, youth-led grassroots political organization. WVYD mobilizes young people under the age of 36 to participate in the electoral process, influence the ideals of the Democratic Party and develop the skills of the youth generation to serve as leaders on a local, state and national level.
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