My story is one of let down and loss.  My story is also of hope; of realizing that what we need in this country is change.  My story is like many in Ohio, many in the country.  That may be what makes it so compelling -- it is a story of America, today.  
 
When George W. Bush became President in 2000, as a patriotic American, I accepted him as my President.  As a practicing Catholic and Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, I looked forward to his compassionate agenda. As a father of a beautiful 2-year old boy, I looked forward to a President that would lead our country to economic stability and global respect, opening up the doors of possibility for my son.   
 
Eight months into the Bush presidency, America was attacked.  I united behind our leader when he stood on that rubble pile and uttered those famous words to the fireman:  "I hear you loud and clear and the people who knocked down these buildings will hear from us very soon."  I was not happy with many of Bush’s policies, but I was convinced that his compassion would guide his actions.  I was behind the President on foreign policy and if he handled the terrorists that attacked us then he would get my vote for sure in 2004.   
 
Fast forward to January 2003, and the State of the Union through my eyes.  I  was still at my telecommunications job, though the company was on its third round of layoffs.  There was a hiring freeze, expenditures were being cut back and my benefits including health care were being diluted.  Several of my co-workers were called up for military duty.  However, it was not for Afghanistan where Osama Bin Laden remains at large. Somehow the response to the 9/11 attacks was shifting to Iraq and Saddam Hussein.  Still stinging from the attack on our soil, I was ready to believe our President about the threat from Iraq.   
 
Despite the Holy Father’s unequivocal condemnation of the Iraq war, echoed by my Catholic Church here in Columbus, I supported the war.  In May of 2003, President Bush landed on that Aircraft Carrier and declared "Mission Accomplished."  I was glad to still have a job, and the President assured  us that combat was at an end. He promised to create more jobs and restore the ones that had been lost.   
 
On January 26th 2004, everything changed for me and my family.  My turn had come.  My boss informed me that my position was being eliminated amidst downsizing. In the following months my family survived on savings and severance. Health insurance was the first to go. I was unable to afford COBRA coverage, and premium costs rivaled my rent.  After the savings were gone, unemployment was all we had left.   
 
My job search was fruitless. I sent out hundreds of resumes, only to find that available jobs were paying less than $10.00 an hour without benefits – a 67% pay cut for me.  I have since come to realize that these low paying; no benefit jobs are the ones George Bush is touting as the jobs he has created.  My question: where is the compassion?   
 
I heard the President on TV say that the kind of economy we are in now requires us to retrain and that money was available for it.  Inspired and wanting to find a public-service career, I set my sights on Nursing School.  I looked into this “retraining money” only to find it came in the form of student loans.  My wife and I, already in debt with student loans, were disillusioned that this was the only option.  My question: where is the compassion?   
 
On June 16th, 2004, I had the opportunity to see Senator John Kerry speak in Columbus. At the rally he spoke of the jobs lost here in Ohio and the millions who have no health care. He noted that he, the President and those in Congress get the best healthcare around. He spoke about the increased tax burden on the middle class and how the wealthy were getting all the breaks.   
 
I did not know much about John Kerry then but came away wanting to know more. The more I have learned about his policies I see that he will be working for me and the working people of America. Recently, I got to speak to him directly at the airport in Columbus.  That meeting confirmed in my heart my support for him as President. He has lived a life of compassion and he has continually turned his words into deeds.   
 
We connected as practicing Catholics, and I shared his inspiration to ask first what we can do for our country.  As a member of the Knights of Columbus, I knew that issues of social justice, opportunity for the least among us, just war, and human dignity are very important to Catholics.  It is then that I founded the website www.CatholicsforKerry04.org, joining forces with some fellow Catholics who had supported President Bush in 2000.   
 
Since that time, another 9-11 anniversary has past with none of the justice Bush promised on that pile of rubble. The men ultimately responsible for knocking those buildings down are still at large and Bush never mentions them – or the crowds of terrorists joining al-Qaeda in reaction to his policies. The death toll of US Soldiers – over 1,000 children of God each with a family – and innocent Iraqi civilians – well over 10,000 children of God each with a family.  Bush never mentions them. And once again, my question:  where is the compassion?   
 
I look around and see a community of Catholics being pulled back to the Democrats. We hear the US Bishops’ call to Faithful Citizenship requiring consideration of all Catholic issues. We are Catholics who want decent jobs and healthcare.  Catholics who want a safe world for their children to grow up in.  I am that kind of Catholic and I believe John Kerry is too. That gives me hope again that America can regain the ethic of being our brother’s keepers and have a leader who champions the common good.
 
 
Eric McFadden resides in Dublin Ohio with his wife Jana and son Devin. Eric is a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, The Worlds Largest Catholic Fraternal Organization.