Vows to Act Swiftly

Friday, November 7th just three days after his victory, president elect Barack Obama promised that he would take immediate action to help with the current economic crisis. In his first press conference at the Hilton hotel in Chicago, Obama talked about his goals to help the current unemployment rates, plummeting payrolls, and the major Detroit issue. Friday’s reports show that 1.2 million jobs have been lost this year, which is the worst since March 1994. The unemployment rate is currently up at 6.5% from its previous 6.1%. Another report shows that the nation’s largest automakers GM and Ford show a huge loss. GM (General Motors Corp.) facing a $4.2 billion loss, states that it could be broke within six months. Ford Motors Corp. reported $3 billion loss. Both leading automakers state that they are being forced to reduce their staff and reduce capital spending to extend their life expectancy. This will only add to the unemployed, cause a decrease in spending, and increase in saving which would only slow down our economies growth.
To help these current economic issues president elect Obama, promises to pass a major economic stimulus plan as his first act as president and accelerate the rescuing of Detroit’s auto industry. During his White House visit he asked the Bush administartaion to speed up the assistance on Detroit; “help the auto industry adjust, weather the financial crisis, and succeed in producing fuel-efficient cars here in the U.S.A.”-Obama.

I personally think that what Obama is trying to do with the stimulus plan is nice and may be the only plan we have right now, but I think there are better plans we can come up with than just throwing money at the problem and hoping it goes away. To me it feels as if we are using another credit card to pay off the last credit card. In the end that money has to be paid back, and who pays for it? We do, either in the short term or long term. As for GM and Ford I think they should have managed their companies better. By laying off workers who make the cars would cause more work and fewer employees which could reduce the quality of the cars since the employees have to work harder. Instead of laying off workers they should reduce the executive’s wages. While the workers get min. wages the executives make millions. The Detroit auto industry also needs to make better cars to compete with leading auto makers like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, etc. By making them more fuel efficient or run off different energy supplies and more reliable.

Press Video

Questions:
1) How do you feel about the stimulus plan and how do you think it will affect us? Will it have a short term or long term effect?
2) Are there any other ways to stimulate the economy?
3) How do you feel about another bail out with GM and Ford? Will it only slow down or lengthen the economic recovery? How will it affect the tax payers and the employees that work for GM and Ford?
4) Should we let a failed or poorly managed company fall and not be bailed out? Do you believe that sometimes you have to hit bottom and start fresh?

"Pelosi Pushes Two-Part Stimulus"

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, poses a two-part economic recovery plan with a compare-and-contrast style view of President-elect Barack Obama's targeted views of a recovery plan during his campaign. Her proposed plan entails an immediate package to try to boost the economy, and then a second attempt with a permanent tax cut when Obama is sworn in. Her plan, however, does differ from Obama's campaign goals.


For an immediate boost, Pelosi wants to impose a $60 to $100 billion stimulus package to go into effect this month. She wants to impant the immediate spark because of worsening unemployment rates in the US, the wavering stock market, and falling house prices. She believes that during the lame-duck period between Bush's last days in office and Obama's first term are the time to act to ensure some sort of recovery. Pelosi says, "Let's see if we can't do something, working together now, that gives us a two-month jump," she said. "We'll take the longer view as soon as we take over in January"(http://http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122600310456906045.html). Of course economic recovery is the direction that we should be going in, but is $60 to $100 billion in new spending the way to do this? Would Obama be going against one of his main arguments about McCain's raising of the national debt if he supported this plan?
As for the second part of the recovery plan, Pelosi wants to create a permanent tax cut. This is where she differs from Obama. Obama wants to give tax cuts in the form of a rebate check for middle class Americans making less than $250,000 per year (http://http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/). Pelosi's plan is to give a tax cut instead of a rebate because it will boost the economy quicker. She believes that a tax cut puts money in the hands of Americans quicker than a rebate would. Obama meets with his newly appointed economic team of advisors today, so the two will have to come to an agreement about which will help the economy efficiently and effectively.

The following is a video that explains the unemployment crisis along with other hardships in the United States: http://online.wsj.com/video/jobless-rate-shows-more-labor-woes/CA4CB65D-B02B-401F-ACDA-003EFD2282C4.html
With unemployment rates getting worse, a plummeting stock market, and harsh economic times not only in the US but around the globe, do you think the new spending of $60 to $100 billion for fiscal spending will help the economy immediately, and if so, will it only help in the immediate but harm in the long run due to the national debt? Which do you feel will spark the economy more efficiently: a tax rebate check as proposed by Obama, or a tax cut as proposed by Pelosi?

Obama on Verge of Historic Victory

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Shouts of victory spread quickly across the country, as the night of Tuesday November 4^th welcomed a mood of celebration. A day of waiting, hoping, and praying led to a night of full of excitement.

Presidential elect Barack Obama took one giant step toward the White House on Tuesday night when news of John McCain's defeat in battleground states Ohio and Pennsylvania spread across the nation. Television, internet, and a favorite of my generation text- message, facilitated this spread. Voters between the ages 18-29 voted more than two thirds for Obama. More than other age brackets, the millennial generation views Obama as that man who can bring about a real change. McCain represents the obsolescent views of American culture and the younger generations seek to create their own America more conscience of its global perception. Did this have anything to do with McCain’s inability to gain electoral votes?

McCain’s loss in the state of Ohio was very important because no republican candidate has ever won the election without the support of Ohio. This loss was also accompanied by that of other key swing states which McCain was hoping to capture. One of the main down falls of the McCain campaign was the inability to connect with the American population on the important issue of economics. Eight to ten voters agreed that the state of the economy was the number one issue of the campaign. McCain’s tried to paint Obama as one who planned on increasing taxes; little did he know the American population felt that all taxes would be raised no matter who they choose for president. In the same way he was unable to unfavorably depict Obama, he could not make the American people believe that he had their best interest in mind. Voters agreed that Obama was more in touch with the common people and their needs. This translated into the feeling of superior judgment by Obama increasing his capabilities as president. Do you believe in Obama’s idea of giving help to those who need it most? More inline with McCain? Why or why not.

I personally interpret Barack Obama’s victory as more than the election of the 44^th president. It represents a change in the system that shouts equality and fairness but does not grant these privileges to all its citizens. For centuries minorities saw celebrations of independence and constitutional rights as nothing more than hypocrisy, for they only included certain Americans under the scope of their protection. But this is changing with the election of the first African American president to lead the nation and free world. November 4^th truly was a day of celebration. What does November 4^th mean to you?

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?

Powell Endorses Obama

Many people were shocked to find out that Colin Powell has now endorsed Senator Barack Obama. According to multiple sources including The Wall Street Journal article "Powell Endorses Obama, Reflecting Fractures in GOP", this shows that there is a "fracture" in the GOP. Colin Powell being a secretary of state under president Bush, stated his criticism of Palin stating that he does not believe she is ready to be president. This being said is probably one of many reason why he is now endorsing Obama.

Powell's endorsement of Obama was said by McCain not to surprising. Although Obama has now received Powell's endorsement along with many others, McCain made sure to mention that he has many other endorsements from "four former secretaries of state, well over 200 retired generals and admirals." However, McCain still does admire and respect Powell even after the endorsement of Obama.

Over the past week many conservatives have begun to endorse Obama. Some of these include Michael Smerconish (radio talk-show host), Christopher Buckley (conservative columnist), and William F. Buckley (son of the National Review founder). Also for the first time ever, the Chicago Tribune has now endorsed Democrat Senator Obama, the first democrat to be endorsed in 161 year history of the Chicago Tribune.These many endorsements just come to show that many important people, including Republicans are now supporting Obama and his campaign.

This is an extremely important election that is getting not only the elderly and middle aged peoples attention but also the attention of young adults who, as we have seen in the past have not been very active in presidential elections or getting out there to vote. The many endorsements and the articles that have been all over the different news papers, Internet, and TV have now gotten peoples attention.

I have already made up my mind as to who I would be voting for and after watching the debates and hearing the endorsements, I am very proud to say that I am supporting Barack Obama! I was also very happy to read that Obama has declared that if he is elected to office that Powell will be offered to be one his advisers as stated in the article "Obama: Powell Will have role in administration" (MyFox Washington DC). This is not only a great idea but will be very helpful to Obama in office since Powell has such a long and large amount of experience.

Video: Powell Explains Obama Endorsement

Questions:

Does having a specific person such as Colin Powell endorse a campaign, does that then change your opinion of the other person running?

Do you think that Powell endorsing Obama has in fact created a "fracture" in the GOP?

Do the people who endorse the candidates make or break who you would vote for?

What is your opinion of Palin's readiness to becoming president?

What is your opinion of the President having bi-partisan advisers?

Bailout Blunder: Congress Not Listening to Constituents

Why is the U.S. Congress deciding to shove a bill down our throats that no one wants? As everyone knows, Congress is trying to pass a $700 billion plan to bail out Wall Street. Though the politicians say it’s about Main Street, the voters aren’t buying it. A recent poll from Gallup said that only 22% of America believes that we should pass a plan similar to Henry Paulson’s plan. Stephen Power and Gary Fields of the Wall Street Journal explain why in “How Voter Fury Stopped Bailout.”



In the article, Power and Fields introduce the idea of most of the nation being infuriated over this bill. Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House during the Clinton years, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a liberal leaning independent from Vermont, and Rep. Darrell Issa, (R) CA, all voiced strong displeasure over the bill that failed this past Monday. They are not alone. Whether it is radio talk shows or internet blogs, people have been told to call up their representatives and senators and tell them to vote against this bill. Opposition to the package is so great that it may cost some of the supporters in Congress their jobs this election. An obvious example of this is taken from another article in the Wall Street Journal, that shows how the most vulnerable House members voted.



This article explains how voters don’t want the bill to pass at all. In the article, a contributor to blackamericaweb.com stated that "This is the biggest robbery of the US in the history of the nation" while Newt Gingrich feels that Paulson should resign from his position. Congress is about to pass the bailout package in the next few days.

Something I have quickly understood is that conservatives don’t want to pass this bill because they think it is one more step towards socialism. Liberals don’t want to pass the bill because they believe they are getting a raw deal and don’t want to bail out the rich folk. I find it ironic now that the media and Democrat controlled Congress have railed against the rich, but now seem to be all for this bailout. They are stunned that only a quarter of their own constituents support it, but still they are bent on passing it anyway for our own good.

In my opinion, this bill is not a good bill at all. It does not include reform and gives the Secretary of the Treasury more power. Like Gingrich said in the article, a former Goldman Sachs chairman is now trying to get money to bail out his buddies on Wall Street. That man is Henry Paulson. Conflict of interest? I think so. But, Congress will pass this legislation and they should pass something. But, not this. Not a blank check.

What do you think? Should this bailout be passed and why? If not, what should be changed?

Opening picture taken from StopTheHousingBailout.com

How Sarah Got McCain's Groove Back?

Has Sarah Palin really saved McCain's campaign? The article in The Wall Street Journal titled "How Sarah Got McCain's Groove Back" seems to think so. The article says that McCain was losing public interest simply because he was "too old". Paris Hilton's comments didn't seem to help his cause as many people felt that he was not relevant and couldn't connect with the American voters. In contrast people saw young and fresh Barack Obama who always seemed to be optimistic as a threat to McCain's campaign. Then came along Sarah Palin, the always cheery woman who seemed to be exactly what the McCain campaign needed. Not only does she connect with women but she has also connected with the Independents. The article draws attention to how Palin has made it into the entertainment world when Saturday Night Live performed a skit depicting Palin as a bimbo. The author believes that the skit did just the opposite, he feels that it depicted Palin as a cheerful and optomistic runningmate to McCain. The article finishes up by criticizing Obama by sayin that he remained calm and collected at the beginning of the campaign but now as the race has progressed he has become tactless and defensive.

Personally I feel that this article was completely bais in favor of Palin. The authr gushes about how wonderful Palin is and what she has brought to the campaign. However the only evidence the author provides is that she is always cheery and optimistic. To be honest I don't see really antying that Palin has brought to the table other than the fact that she is an attractive woman. Yes, she may have brought popularity back to the McCain campaign but I fail to see why. I do not consider myself to be a feminist in the least, nevertheless this quote from Women Against Sarah Palin sums up my feeling about Sarah Palin: "Feminism...It's about protecting and supporting the rights of women of all classes, races, cultures, and beliefs. Palin's record and beliefs do not align with this. She was chosen by John McCain specifically because he believes that American women will vot for any female candidate regardless of their qualifications".

What are your thoughts/feelings about Sarah Palin? Do you think she has revived the McCain campaign? If so what do you feel she has brought to the campaign to do so?