1st District Democrat: Anesa Kajtazovic

My family and I fled war-torn Bosnia nearly 20 years ago and settled in Iowa because my parents wanted to give my sister and me a chance at the American dream. Coming to Iowa at the age of 10, I saw the opportunities this country offers, but I also saw our shortcomings.

Those shortcomings were apparent as I watched my mom struggle between her employer and insurance company after sustaining an injury at her meatpacking job and being denied access to her own doctor. I saw it again when time came for me to go to college and my father worked two jobs, while I also worked two part-time jobs to afford a shot at making it into the middle class.

I understand the struggles middle class families and those trying to make it into the middle class face every day. I know the worries of retirees and the paycheck-to-paycheck burdens of working families because I've lived them. The middle class in this country is shrinking and income inequality is on the rise - my plan in Congress is to create a wider path for the middle class and provide a fair shot for all.

My American dream Agenda does that by focusing on three main issues: education, economic security, and energy independence. My plan will create jobs, protect the environment and educate the workforce of tomorrow.

Starting with education, my plan invests in early childhood education and ensures that education is fully funded all the way up to college. It also calls for making college more affordable by passing student loan reform. I stand by Sen. Elizabeth Warren in calling for students to get loans at better rates than big banks.

We must also provide everyone with opportunities to get good jobs that pay a living wage. My economic security platform defends Americans in all stages and walks of life by defending and expanding Social Security and Medicare, raising the minimum wage to $10.10 and tying future increases to inflation, and enforcing equal pay for equal work. I also will fight for the right of our workers to organize and collectively bargain. Labor Unions have helped protect the working class and I will be their ally in Washington.

Lastly, I am proposing an energy plan for the 21st Century that begins with a carbon-pollution tax, which will hold companies that pollute our air accountable. I will use the revenues to invest in critical infrastructure projects and in renewable energy. My plan will create jobs, save Americans millions in energy costs, and protect the environment.

My American dream Agenda is possible, but we must be mindful of big-money interest groups that threaten our progressive vision and our democratic process. That is why I will not waver on campaign finance reform. In Congress, as I have done in the Iowa House, I will stand true to progressive values and stand up to powerful interests to give all Americans a fair shot at their American dream.

l Anesa Kajtazovic of Waterloo is a Democratic 1st District candidate for Congress. Comments: anesaforiowa@gmail.com