If the United States is such a great and wealthy country, why are so many Americans struggling to make ends meet? Why has our country not seen more progress in our social life? For decades, many politicians from both major parties have been telling us to be satisfied with the crumbs that fall from our nation’s economic table. While at the same time, in other countries of Europe and Scandinavia, the quality of life has increased with many major improvements implemented.

Changes such as more job security, a reduction in the work week, higher incomes, quality public schools, debt-free higher education, strong technical trades programs, comprehensive quality health care for all residents, publicly funded day-care, enhanced environmental protection, strong support for clean and green industries and less income inequality. At the same time, they manage to fund their modern infrastructure, including high-speed trains.

Most of these countries have a fairer and simpler tax system as well that manages to fund their public benefits, without a significant national debt.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is running for president to change this situation. She recognizes that what this country needs are big changes, like President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, and not just minor adjustments or a few crumbs from our economic table. She knows first-hand what it means to struggle with minimal income. Growing up in Oklahoma, her biggest dream was to become a public school teacher. Her determination and strong work ethic eventually earned her, first a law degree, and then a professorship teaching the law. As part of President Barack Obama’s administration, she, almost single-handedly, created the new Consumer Protection Bureau, which since its inception has returned to American consumers $17 billion of fraudulently collected fees and charges. Of course, making change will be resisted by many established institutions.

But the final verdict on the direction of our country belongs to us, the voters. Change won’t be easy, but our country and our fellow Americans are worth the effort. And to those who are concerned that a woman can not be elected president, I would only say, look who was just elected president. Can a woman not do better? I believe, yes, she can, and I’ll be voting for her.