Chad

Chad, 32, is an ironworker struggling to make a living in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. He has been unemployed for the last four month and only worked eight months in the last two years. In order to make ends meet, Chad is forced to seek work out of state.

My Story
Prior to 2002, I was earning more than $40,000 a year as an ironworker. Now, with the so-called "right to work" (or more accurately, right to work for less) legislation in Idaho, and the battered economy, I have to leave the state to find work. At this point, I've only worked eight months in the last two years, most recently in December 2003.

These days my biggest struggle is making ends meet. I used to think about going back to school for my nursing degree, but it's hard to think about the future when the economy is so unsteady. How do you plan ahead when it takes all your energy just to stay afloat day-to-day?

I used to be apathetic about politics because I thought it didn't affect my life. Watching my livelihood crumble so quickly under President Bush changed my attitude quickly. I'm voting for the first time in 10 years because I recognize that it is critical for us to get Bush out of the White House.

I'm excited about going on this tour because I'm realizing more and more how much of a difference people can make when they stand up for themselves. We can show America that when the president only takes care of big business and forgets about the people who make America work-he's the one who will get laid-off.