"A chance to help the world"
August 24, 2007

The State

By JIM HODGES AND JOE WILSON - Guest columnists

For the next few months, South Carolina is in the political spotlight as presidential candidates pour into our state looking for endorsements and votes. With our early primaries, our state's Democratic and Republican voters are uniquely positioned to influence the course of the next presidential election. Correspondingly, voters are also able to share with the candidates their expectations and hopes for the policies of the next president.

While we are on opposite sides of the political aisle, we share a common belief that the problems of global poverty and disease are a humanitarian and strategic priority for the United States. For that reason, we have agreed to be the South Carolina co-chairs of an initiative we know is critically important to our great country — One Vote '08. This initiative is an unprecedented nonpartisan campaign to build a stronger, more secure world.

Our goal is to energize presidential candidates and the citizens of our country to make the fight against global disease and extreme poverty a key foreign policy objective of our national leaders. Presidential candidates are, of course, talking about the war in Iraq, the nation's energy needs, the economy and the future of health care in this country — all important issues. However, we feel strongly that the candidates also need a plan to address global disease and extreme poverty and the impact these issues have on America's and the world's future.

We know that building goodwill for America by saving lives is a matter of national security. With constant threats from abroad to our national interests, extending a helping hand to those who lack food and basic sanitation is in our nation's best interest. We cannot afford to bury our head in the sand and allow our enemies to define America in the developing world.

Furthermore, ensuring that people have access to basic needs such as food, clean water and simple medicines is the moral thing to do. The One Vote '08 presidential platform aims to save 15,000 lives a day by fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; provide free access to basic education; and increase access to clean water and basic sanitation. It would also reduce by one-half the number of people worldwide who suffer from hunger.

These issues will never be solved by one group alone carrying the moral standard — it takes businesses, the faith community and government. Most importantly, it requires that our next president be passionate about the issue and committed to addressing the problem.

As voters, we have one voice, one vote and one chance every four years to make an impact. We hope that you will join us and our 15,000 plus one members in South Carolina in this historic and important movement. Together we can affect not just the future of our nation, but the lives and well-being of millions worldwide.

Mr. Hodges was governor of South Carolina from 1999 through 2003. Mr. Wilson has represented the 2nd District in the Congress since 2001. Please visit www.one.org for more information.