Presidential Debate and the Issues

We have been watching the debates and we have really enjoyed them. I think this is the most involved I have ever been in an election. The Bush/Kerry election just made me angry and I didn't really care which side made it out so I just ignored the election and waited it out. We are now in the McCain/Obama election and I have been more involved this time. Reading the plans and discovering the issues that they think are the issues versus what I feel are the real issues has been entertaining to say the least.

As we watch the markets tumble, unemployment rise, home values go down, and debt go up it is time to really think about the future of America. No matter the outcome, America will never be the same again, at least I hope anyway. We are over-consuming, "me" oriented, and stuck in the 20th century post-war version of the "American Dream". We watch celebrities in their multi-million dollar homes and want that lifestyle. You drive through neighborhoods with McMansions going up all over the place and wonder - who is going to live in the homes? If no one moves in they will sit vacant for years, become slums, or homes to gangs and drug lords or maybe even multi-family homes (which is an entirely different issue I will revisit later). It is said that the "ruins of the 20th century are fast becoming the frontier of the 21st." This seems to be the biggest case for a combination of incentives for decentralized and community thinking combined with strong federal programs to stimulate investment in the proper industries, industries that can turn this around.

Back to the election, who will really be able to make a difference. The President is not in charge of everything, however, we hope he/she can work with their advisers and committees to make a difference. I don't believe there will be immediate change because it takes time to fix these issues and change people's way of thinking. If we do not want to be in the same problems we are in now we need to change the way people think. It is not cool to drive a gas guzzling SUV/Truck if you don't need it. If you don't work construction or haul things you don't need a truck. If you do feel you need one but you are just driving around town maybe you should have a car. We cannot continue to buy vehicles that are less than 60mpg. We also need to go back to our grandparent's way of thinking on a few things. It DOES help if you turn off your lights when you're not in a room, if you turn off the water while you brush your teeth, etc. If 100,000 households did that, it would make a difference and these ideas would catch on. We are far too wasteful, we don't recycle enough, and we don't care enough about the future generations. We will leave them a damaged planet with no hope for repair. No matter who or what you believe in, you cannot in good conscience destroy your planet. There is so much you can do with so little. Once again, getting off topic...

So back to McCain/Obama. Who will you vote for? Who will you stand by to make the changes we need to survive. This is just the tip of the iceberg - we need to start the change now. A good place to go to see all of the issues laid out and their voting record is www.ontheissue.org. I just really hope instead of just voting with whoever looks better everyone will look at the issues and make an educated and informed decision. I personally do not agree on everything with one side or the other but have taken into consideration not only the Presidential nominee but also the Vice Presidential nominee.