If you pay attention to the details of American society, then you might feel there’s a huge need for change. I was recently watching a political debate and they stated that more than 70% of Americans surveyed feel that the country is heading in the wrong direction.

This is extremely bad! It’s not far-fetched but most Americans feel that the government is neither efficient nor effective. We are trapped in a massive system that makes the individual feel helpless. We all want change but how?

The first step to creating change is to find common ground that a majority of Americans can agree upon. The national debt is an indicator of how badly the US government operates. The question is: could this issue unite the people in a solidified movement towards American change?

Up to Us is a movement that focuses on creating awareness, understanding, and engagement regarding the national debt and its long-term implications. Every year many colleges compete nationwide in the non-partisan contest. Up to Us compels teams to engage with peers by hosting events, tabling, and speaking to classrooms about why we care about the national debt and our economic future. The challenge is how do you relate the importance of the national debt to college students?

Our campaign emphasized the fact that we need to pay teachers better salaries! The $19 trillion national debt is growing with annual interest of more than $230 billion dollars. Our government currently spends twice as much on paying interest towards the debt versus total education funding. Investing in motivated teachers will change the future one student at a time. However, the laws of supply and demand prove that a competitive wage is what attracts talent. The growing national debt and outlays will guarantee that education budgets will continue to shrink. If you agree that teachers deserve quality pay, then understand how the national debt is crippling budgets nationwide.

I’m convinced that Up to Us has the brand name to unite the American people one issue at a time. It’s truly inspiring to meet passionate students that care about issues of change. The contest brings this unique talent together at the Net Impact conference, CGI U, and the Peterson Foundation summit.

In closing, it’s important for Americans to understand the issues and challenges that our country faces. It’s even more important for Americans to believe that we as a united country can create a better future. Support change and understand that if we do want a better country then it truly is…… Up to Us!