Ok, maybe that is being a little dramatic. Everyone knows tomorrow's election is important, in fact, its huge. But every year since 2000 it seems as though the electorate has to have this continuing message shoved down its throat that somehow, THIS is the most important election of our lives. Lets be clear, 2004 was huge. Iraq was a mess, and wasn't getting better anytime soon (thank God for General Petraeus), and pretty much every important world leader worth mentioning made him or herself popular by bashing the U.S. How times change.
Tomorrow is going to be very important, the U.S. is going to either elect its first black American as its new president, or the oldest man as its new President. However, here is why the 2008 presidential election is NOT the most important of our lifetime. First of all, the Iraq war is over, point blank. October saw the lowest amount of deaths since the war's inception, with 12 deaths, 6 of those combat related. South central LA has a higher rate of violence. Afghanistan, while not as rosy as it once seemed, is still not anywhere near a desperate operation. The Taliban cannot by force take Afghanistan from coalition soldiers, and there have been reports they are even ready to negotiate.
Financially, yes the U.S. is in a mess, but look around, so is the rest of the world. The British were the first (and therefore smartest) country by guaranteeing the backing of their financial system. For those who have decried the bailout, consider the alternatives for a moment. Yes certain banks need to be held accountable, but let the nerve center of your country's financial system collapse? No, not going to happen, and considerably dumb idea to even begin with. The developed world is in store for a recession, but this happens about once every decade, it is almost inevitable. By the way, take a second to notice that the economic downturn has produced one very desirable effect: gas is as low as $1.92 in certain parts of the country.
Control of the government is the only issue which deserves severe contemplation. Democrats already control the house and have a tenuous hold on the Senate. Should Barack Obama become the next President, and Democrats gain enough seats in the Senate to maintain a filibuster proof vote, the U.S. is in store for a large increase in spending. Obviously, the Republicans let spending get out of control when they had power over both chambers of Congress and the White House, and they have rightly bared the blame. That said, should Obama become the next leader of the free world, it is imperative that he be held to his promise of delivering post-partisan togetherness, or this country could potentially see the largest increase in spending ever witnessed.
So there it is. We as a country have important issues facing us, but in no way shape or form should we feel pressured to vote for one candidate or another because this election is so unfathomably dire. Its not. In fact, it is just like every election we have ever had: important, but not irretrievable. Vote with your heads America.
Tomorrow is going to be very important, the U.S. is going to either elect its first black American as its new president, or the oldest man as its new President. However, here is why the 2008 presidential election is NOT the most important of our lifetime. First of all, the Iraq war is over, point blank. October saw the lowest amount of deaths since the war's inception, with 12 deaths, 6 of those combat related. South central LA has a higher rate of violence. Afghanistan, while not as rosy as it once seemed, is still not anywhere near a desperate operation. The Taliban cannot by force take Afghanistan from coalition soldiers, and there have been reports they are even ready to negotiate.
Financially, yes the U.S. is in a mess, but look around, so is the rest of the world. The British were the first (and therefore smartest) country by guaranteeing the backing of their financial system. For those who have decried the bailout, consider the alternatives for a moment. Yes certain banks need to be held accountable, but let the nerve center of your country's financial system collapse? No, not going to happen, and considerably dumb idea to even begin with. The developed world is in store for a recession, but this happens about once every decade, it is almost inevitable. By the way, take a second to notice that the economic downturn has produced one very desirable effect: gas is as low as $1.92 in certain parts of the country.
Control of the government is the only issue which deserves severe contemplation. Democrats already control the house and have a tenuous hold on the Senate. Should Barack Obama become the next President, and Democrats gain enough seats in the Senate to maintain a filibuster proof vote, the U.S. is in store for a large increase in spending. Obviously, the Republicans let spending get out of control when they had power over both chambers of Congress and the White House, and they have rightly bared the blame. That said, should Obama become the next leader of the free world, it is imperative that he be held to his promise of delivering post-partisan togetherness, or this country could potentially see the largest increase in spending ever witnessed.
So there it is. We as a country have important issues facing us, but in no way shape or form should we feel pressured to vote for one candidate or another because this election is so unfathomably dire. Its not. In fact, it is just like every election we have ever had: important, but not irretrievable. Vote with your heads America.
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