ONE issues we can all agree on

To the editor: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 presidential election.

I know global poverty is usually not part of the conversation in presidential politics. But through ONE Vote '08, ONE's nonpartisan effort made up of ordinary voters and experienced political and policy experts, 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 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. I encourage voters to view those plans and compare the candidates at onevote08.org/ontherecord.

We live in a great country with global influence. 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 from the candidates this year? Visit ONE.org and get involved.

TYE PARKS, Cape Girardeau