Election Day 2008

It’s over. The longest and most expensive presidential campaign in U. S. history ended last night with Barack Obama’s clear victory, both in the electoral and popular vote. His victory did not come easy; he had to outfight formidable opponents in Hillary Clinton and John McCain and persuade Americans that he had the ability to lead them in tough times. But the precision and professionalism with which he and his advisors ran his campaign made him the decisive winner and gave America its first African American president. It was a stunning moment, especially for people like me who vividly remember that less than fifty years ago, segregation was legal in the South and de facto segregation was pervasive in the North. Barack Obama’s victory does not mark the end of racism in the United States, but I think that it marks the beginning of the end.

This election galvanized voters of all parties. Everywhere I went yesterday, people sported “I Voted” stickers and were eager to discuss the election. My husband and I went to West Springfield High School at 7:15 AM to vote and found that the line was already snaking its way out of the building. But despite the early hour and the long line, people were upbeat and talkative, energized (in part) by the coffee and baked goods volunteers were selling outside, but mostly by a keen awareness that we were taking part in a historic election. Our long line moved swiftly, and in less than an hour, my husband and I were inside the school and voting. The use of scannable paper ballots made it possible for more people to vote at once, and this new voting method kept the line moving and frustration low. What about you? What happened when you went to vote?

On Mason’s campus, the weather was dreary and damp, but spirits were high.

Student Government ran vans to the Woodson High School polling place, and volunteers promoted this service by becoming “human advertisements.”

Rain apparently, does not damper revolutions!


This guy stole my heart!

Our university was not without its own drama. Yesterday morning, a hacker broke into the Provost’s email account and sent out a fake message announcing that the election had been moved to November 5th. Rumors circulated that Mason students who voted could lose their financial aid.

But such lame attempts proved ineffective against the smart and savvy youthful voters who went to the polls in record numbers. Your demographic – voters between the ages of 18 and 25 – voted overwhelmingly for Obama and helped power him to victory. Now it’s your turn to act upon that mandate and consider how you will help him guide our nation toward economic recovery, energy reform, and improved security both at home and abroad.

How will you meet the challenge Obama made to all Americans in his victory speech last night that change can’t happen without “a new spirit of patriotism, a new spirit of sacrifice?” How has this election influenced your outlook on the future and the role you will play in it as a working professional?

Abracadaba

After reading "Obama's Magic", Kimberly Strassel, gives her insight about how Obama's policies does not add up to helping the economy or foreign relations and calls these feats that he supposedly will fix, magic. From the higher taxes and bigger regulations to businesses to leaving Iraq as soon as possible fixed or not fixed, Strassel points outs how Obama's policies are flawed. At the end, she also gives credit to McCain for not being as aggressive about bringing up these points.

The biggest issue on the minds of most Americans today is the economic recession and how the next elected president will attempt to fix this problem. The article also goes on to add in Obama's income tax policies and how 95% of Americans will have a tax cut at the sacrifice of the other 5% of Americans. Currently there 40% of Americans that don't pay income taxes at all. So my question is how do these Americans actually pay lower income taxes, unless they're actually getting paid by the government. The article also talks about the foreign policies and how If you want to figure out how much money you're going to save or pay under Obama's plan check out Obama Tax Cut.

Although the media currently brings up the idea that deregulation was the main reason why all these financial companies are in distress, Strassel brings up the point that during this current presidency, we had to actually put forth more regulations, such as Sarbanes and Oxley into effect due to the Enron fallout. So all this call of deregulation seems to be fabricated. Check out this video and see where a good deal of this whole housing situation started.



Although the article does not discuss capital gains tax, the increase of this will only continue to divert people away from investing their money. Although he does state that it won't effect people who earn over 250k, people who bought houses before this housing scheme has heavily invested money in their homes and come the day that they sell their houses they have to pay an extra 10% in taxes if the profits exceed 250k. Although 250k does sound like a lot of money in the United States, cities such as New York City has such a high cost of living 250k for a family who has 2 earners and 1 or 2 kids in private college does not have as disposable income as people would perceive them to have. During a democratic primary debate he is asked about this same topic his here is his reply:


Also, the fact that Obama wants to leave Iraq as soon as possible, even though the presence of insurgents and terrorist are still lingering in a country that is neighboring one of the biggest funder of terrorist activities could lead the country into another turmoil state with all the effort the US put forth lost. Even though much progress has occured in Iraq due to the surge strategy of General Petraeus, the seceding commander, General Odierno, is quoted in this news article that even he feels as that the violence has decreased their now needs to be a politically, diplomatic, and economic strategy enacted in Iraq to make sure a lasting stability. Obama fails to mention anything about helping restructure the country of Iraq. Obama also is mentioned that he promises to capture Osama Bin Laden but fails to understand the fact that there are several countries that will prohibit the US from entering their borders such as Pakistan could create even a bigger mess than we are currently involved in.

What is more important more for America today, jobs or more a couple hundred dollars to the people who don't pay taxes already? Should we leave a county knowingly that we destroyed their government, lost US lives, even though the country is not proven to be stable for a even a year? This November 4th, make an informed decision and support the candidate that you believes has better policies.

While Sarah Palin’s history in debate says she should perform beautifully during tonight’s show-down with Senator Biden, many Republicans have their doubts. After Palin’s unfortunate interview with Katie Couric last week, I myself (a fairly centered Republican) questioning her ability to answer even the simplest questions of policy and legislation.

Joe Millman’s article in The Wall Street Journal, “Palin Proved a Formidable Foe in Alaska Debates” (October 1, 2008), discusses Palin’s previous debate history and her more recent shortcomings (as they could affect the outcome of first Vice Presidential debate). Millman states that in the past, she has surprised her audience with an unexpected wit and charm, but that she proves quite elusive with more specific questions of policy. He furthermore says that Palin’s performance has been “shaky” throughout this election, but that even the Democrats have some fear of her ferocious political charm. The article continues to state that the Obama campaign considers Sarah Palin “a terrific debater”, and is therefore not writing her off.

It seems to me, and this may be harsh, that Sarah Palin is nothing more than a people pleaser. Her ability to get on stage, as she did at the Republican National Convention, and reassure the crowd that yes, indeed there is hope for the conservative right wing. However, I find that she lacks the substance I desire in a candidate but at the same time she says the things we (Republicans) want to hear. Not unlike another Candidate in this election (need I give names?), Sarah Palin can embrace her audience and draw every last ounce of support out of their conservative woodwork (but with what substance does she do so?). To this extent, I think she was an excellent choice. However, with McCain’s age and the numerous critical issues at hand (i.e. the financial crisis, war, global warming etc.) I wonder if she was the best choice for this position.

I do not think that I am alone with my feelings of uncertainty. An article published by ABC News, states that Sarah has slipped in voter standing since her announcement at the Republican National Convention. The article concludes that “six in ten Americans now doubt” her ability to lead this nation. However, like Millman’s article, this article states that she could come into tonight’s debate with a fresh palate and open horizon. What could be the repercussions of Sarah’s performance? If she performs poorly could it make or break McCain’s campaign?

I am hoping, along with most other Republicans that Sarah Palin can reassert herself tonight as an intelligent lady who can gain the conservative confidence that we so longingly want to give her.

Does anyone feel that Sarah Palin has not made a fool of the Republican Party in her recent interviews? Do you think that this could make or break the McCain campaign?

(Picture from http://foxnews.com/)

“Command-and-Control Economy" is this a good thing or bad thing?

From major companies that promise you “You can relax with AIG” to Bear Stearns Bank, should the Federal Reserve System really intervene? In the article, written by Bob Davis on September 22, 2008, named, “Tough Calls for Next President,” Mr. Davis states that “the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates to 2% from 5.25% in September 2007…” is that really such a bad thing? The two next Presidential candidates Barrack Obama and John McCain have very different views on the idea of a “Command-and-Control Economy.” John McCain’s view is: “These are tough times for many of you. You’re worried about keeping your job or finding a new one, and are struggling to put food on the table and stay in your home. All you ever asked of government is to stand on your side, not in your way. And that’s just what I intend to do: stand on your side and fight for your future.” Barrack Obama’s, on the other hand, view of a “Command-and-Control Economy” is: “My tax cuts will create jobs. His tax increases will eliminate them.”

From the chart on the right, you can see what the average household makes, what the average amount in taxes is paid, and what the government spends on miscellaneous things. Many people have critiqued and said that President Bush is the reason for this trend, but can we really say that this is true? Since the terrorist actions, on September 11, 2001, and President Bush’s decision to “hunt down the terrorists,” we have seen more and more government intervention, i.e. – tapping into the phone calls of Americans, in hopes of finding terrorists that are in the US.

Unfortunately, with the way things are going, with the amount of intervention from the Federal Government, the picture, shown above on the left, is what may foreshadow if things don’t turn around and turn around quick. Mr. Davis brings up a good question, “With next year’s deficit likely to grow significantly from this fiscal year’s $400 billion, what spending or tax plan would you scrap to keep the tab down?” Would you think that there is a way of cutting some type of program that is unnecessary in order to reduce the American debt, and thus reducing the value of the American dollar overseas? Senator Obama states that he will raise taxes on wealthier Americans, thus redistributing that money to poorer families, but those policies can have a double-edged sword with the reduction on the incentives on productive earners. Senator McCain, on the other hand, wants to cut corporate taxes to boost jobs, but that, too, has a double-edged sword with channeling the money to modest earners. With the Presidential Election coming up, both candidates have to take into consideration these problems, as well as many others, in order to keep us from going into a recession. Many people have to realize that, although we are in some type of recession and paying high gas prices and numerous amounts of other stuff, we are more secure then if we did absolutely nothing when we were attacked on September 11, 2001. What can America do to lessen its dependence on other countries and pull themselves out of this small recession, that about half of the US population think we are in?