Before you vote, learn the issues

By: Megan Lynch

Posted: 11/3/08

With Election Day so close, there are many important issues to focus on before you vote. These important issues do not include the word "nucular" or how Sen. Barack Obama's name ties him to terrorism.

Has anyone else noticed that the "Obama - Biden" signs sound a lot like Osama Bin Laden? Does this really matter? This campaign has been the source of countless jokes for the past few months, leading all the way to "Saturday Night Live" skits and a a Hustler-produced porno in the works. Voters need to know the issues that will really affect our nation before casting their ballot.

The economy has been the biggest issue to hit the candidates, and just two months before Election Day. For those of us who are not economists, what do we really know about it - besides that it is really bad? Each candidate has made plans to mend this economic crisis and, before voting, it is extremely important to know them.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) plans to continue President Bush's tax cuts to individuals and business at the top of the income scale. As stated in The New York Times, McCain's new plans also include, "tax cuts on capital gains and on withdrawals from retirement accounts by people 59 and older, bigger write-offs for stock losses and a tax waiver for unemployment benefits" for the next two years. Republicans believe that this will help strengthen the job market, ultimately providing job opportunities to middle class families.

Obama's stance is much different. He plans to give tax cuts directly to the middle class in addition to increasing public works spending in order to create jobs. Obama also plans to create millions of new jobs by commissions to rebuild schools, roads, etc. and by investing in alternative energy. With a stimulus proposal consisting of $60 billion, Obama still plans to invest in universal health care and to offset oil prices to provide $65 billion in tax rebates to middle class.

These plans will go into effect when either McCain or Obama is elected. They both plan to reduce U.S.' budget gaps by the end of their first term. It is important to take note of how much money they are promising and to whom - and just where it is all coming from.

The next big issue would be the war in Iraq. At this point, it is impossible for the U.S. to pull out the troops without causing Iraq's wobbly government to collapse. Whether Americans should be in Iraq is no longer the issue - the government should be focusing on how we can complete the mission we started while protecting the soldiers. Voters need to decide which candidate is best prepared to finish this war.

Obama blames the Bush administration not only for getting the U.S. involved with Iraq, but also for ignoring other pressing foreign policy issues in the process. Obama told The New York Times, "I will focus this strategy on five goals essential to making America safer: ending the war in Iraq responsibly; finishing the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban; securing all nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists and rogue states; achieving true energy security; and rebuilding our alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st century." Obama also added that he would make the war the top priority that it should be once he is in office.

In response to Obama's plans, McCain took a few shots at the backwardness of Obama's research for Iraq. "First you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy," McCain said, to criticize Obama's plans to take a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan without first talking to the officials in charge and without know exactly what's going on.

Another important issue is the future state of the Supreme Court. In the next few years there could be between one and three Justices stepping down, leaving the president to appoint new ones. In the third presidential debate, the candidates were asked how they plan to choose new justices. McCain answered that he would find capable judges who have a strong history of adhering to the words of the Constitution. Obama answered that he would find judges who have ideals similar to his own. The Supreme Court is now roughly half liberal and half conservative. Whomever the president chooses will likely sway the Court to one side, affecting the outcomes of countless cases in the future.

With a few of the top issues in mind and knowing each candidate's stance on them, make sure to decide which would be best for every U.S. citizen - regardless of the fact that Obama is black and McCain is old.

One of these men will be the next president and you have the chance to help choose which one. You will ultimately have a hand in fixing the economic crisis, protecting our troops and choosing the next Supreme Court Justice.

Sometimes it is hard to judge whether the candidates are actually going to stick to the things they promise and claim to believe in. Look at their history and past debates. It is important to notice how Obama criticized Bush for spending so much time focusing on Iraq, but then promises the nation that he will make the war his top priority. Also, McCain has reminded Obama that he is not Bush, however McCain has plans to build on several of Bush's policies.

Focus on the issues affecting our nation and who is most prepared to lead us. It will personally affect every person in this nation and you have a chance to decide. Just be sure to decide based on the right reasons.