The U.S. Economy… We are part of the answer!

As soon as you turn on your TV, you can expect to be bombarded with political news and advertisements about the presidential candidates, with the U.S. Economy as a leading issue.  In an interview by Michelle Singletary (who was the 2006 AAFCS Annual Conference keynote speaker) with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, some of the grave concerns Americans face were highlighted regarding personal debt caused by mortgage payments, credit cards, college loans and/or medical expenses.  Senator Clinton says,  

“When I was in junior high and high school, we all had to take courses that we used to call home economics.  You were given information about how to manage your home, manage your finances… pay for your lifestyle.” 

While we shutter at the outdated terminology of home economics, this gives us credit for resource management education.  Bottom line, I believe our educational programs are part of the answer to the problem of the U.S. Economy.  How do we make this connection with other key decision makers?  

The AAFCS mission statement says that we are to give you — professionals in the field of family and consumer sciences – leadership and support in your work to “assist individuals, families, and communities in making informed decisions about their … resources.”  In fulfilling this mission, we affirmed Senator Clinton’s quote in Michelle’s nationally syndicated column and we expressed our appreciation to Senator Clinton for her acknowledgement of the role we play in educating students on resource management.   What activities are you engaged in to build this connection with your legislators and press, and what could AAFCS do to support your efforts?   

Singletary, M. (2008, Jan 20).  One Candidate and the Economy.  The Washington Post.  Retrieved February 13 from:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/19/AR2008011900057.html?referrer=emailarticle