As a teenager, I struggle to define my future role in American democracy amid the ambivalent messages presented by the media and political culture. Although I have the power to make a difference, I am expected not to care. I am young, energized, and optimistic, yet excluded from major political decisions. I am affected as much, if not more than adults, by the actions of George W. Bush. I want him to know I attend public schools, thus I am affected by his inability to fund the 'No Child Left Behind Act.' I want him to know that I watch television, thus I see the blood, tears, bombs, and devastation of the War in Iraq. I am saddened, yet inspired to dedicate my life working to eradicate the long-established inequalities of America.

It was February of 2004 when President Bush announced his plans to work for a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. I look back on this country's history and remember the Constitution as a document granting Americans their rights. I couldn't fathom why Bush wanted to add discrimination into the Constitution. I want him to understand that as a gay American, I am most affected by his policies. Growing up I was told America was a country of liberty and freedom, yet I was taught wrong. I want Bush to understand the message he is sending to the younger generation. He is endorsing discrimination, and making people believe it is all right to exclude people based on their sexual orientation. I want Bush to know I will not allow him to dictate my life, and I will spend my life fighting for the rights granted to me as an American.

I am strongly opposed to the War in Iraq. I grew up in my own separate peace, and now I struggle to confront a war whose causes seem unclear and uncertain. It saddens me to see my fellow Americans, not much older than me, being sent off to jeopardize their lives in an unjust war. It also saddens me to think of the tears being shed by the Iraqis. I sometimes feel distressed being an American teenager, yet I can't imagine how difficult it is to be an Iraqi teenager. I want to know how Bush is able to get hundreds of billions of dollars to support war and defense, yet he is unable to provide money for my education and healthcare. The War in Iraq has created record deficits that will haunt my generation. I also have to fear the reinstitution of the draft as well as be subject to the presence of military recruiters in my school almost daily. Recruiters who claim the only way to college is through the military. Bush needs to know how much this war affects the youth of this country.

It saddens me that my education is second to War. President Bush needs to understand the importance of education. I attend public schools, and I view the devastation of budget cuts to our school systems. I want President Bush to understand the impact art and music have on students. The arts harbor intellectual minds, yet creativity is often undermined by the presence of standardized tests, which measure nothing more than one's ability to take a test. Education is more than an arbitrary number. President Bush needs to provide schools with a sufficient amount of money to stimulate and create responsible adults. My education is vitally important to me, and I deserve to be taught by the best teachers, in the best conditions, with the best resources. And Bush needs to know that a college education is not a privilege, but a right for all students.

It is vital that our current leaders listen to the leaders of tomorrow. I am an American, and I am affected by every decision the president makes. All I ask is that Bush live up to his job description, and represent all people.

Alex Morse, 16, lives in Holyoke, MA