In a world that is so greatly connected by instant communication, where every issue is brought to our attention everyday through tv, ipods, and internet it is hard to narrow in on issues that are the most important. They are all important but some stand out more than others.
First and foremost the economy is the most vital issue we face today. If America is a capitalist nation, money is sometimes all politicians care about. The reason we must restore our economy is needed because America will not be able to act on any other issue without money. America must fix itself in order to be able to reach out and successfully help others. To restore our countries we must take drastic cuts! Fifty Four percent of our budget goes to military funding, it is money that should not be spent were never going to wipe out terrorism from the Middle East. Bring the troops home now protect them and end the political humanitarian effort in Libya were only there because the fighting interfered with the oil wells. There are other countries involved in NATO but we always seem to take full lead and the citizens pay the price. America could easily save 54% and drastically change the economy yet we take from the educational system, and other much needed systems. President Obama must go as well it may not be his fault we are in this recession but it is his fault that it has not changed. KRS One said "We must not get caught up in emotional politics if you are satisfied with the way the country is going re-elect the politicians you have, if you do not like the way the country is headed elect new politicians". America must change the economy and the President in office does not have the skills to change it therefore America needs a new president.
Much of Americas' money has been spent on protecting oil resources, lowering its prices, and insuring America can access it. This is why I feel Energy Independence must be the first issue we deal with when we restore stability to our economy. It happens time and time again Presidents sending young soldiers to foreign parts or the world so the price at the pump does not go up yet we pay for the military effort in taxes. Its an endless cycle that has been seen in the Iraq war, the Libyan/NATO military effort, and many other wars. Oil is Americas drug of choice, we go to war over it, pay about $2500 for one cars annual gas, and if we can't get it we would shut down. America is to dependent on oil not just on foreign oil but oil itself. Not only do we pay to much in money for it but the emissions from gas, oil, even the "clean fossil fuel" natural gas are life damaging and greatly effecting our globe. Global warming is just a distraction from the bigger picture, global warming is just a symptom of fossil fuel use. The reefs in the ocean are dissenegrating, animals that are vital life to our biosphere are being drowned in oil from spills like New Orleans, and The Exon spill. America must be the leader on this issue a law should be issued that by 2020 all businesses and new developments should be 50% self reliant on energy with the use of solar panels, wind turbines, or other ways such as Bloom Boxes. Our fellow citizens should switch to electric cars. The average price is around $32,000 however over the coarse of ten years with a gas car one spends at least $20k to $30k, the electric is still cheaper and produces zero tailpipe emissions. If America can do this our world will be cleaner and we will be self sufficient on energy as long as we utilize our own resources. A vital step America must take.
The last two political issues I feel very strongly about. They are the pro-life movement, and the Save Darfur Movement. I believe that as an American we take things for granite I try not to but I know I do. When we as Americans are giving so much it is hard to sympathize with those who do not have much because we are so far apart. However I believe that all people are the same we all have good and bad in us despite our differences were all more similar than different. It is our duty as being privilaged people have computers, homes, cars, water, food, and freedom to raise our voices for those who can not be heard. I am the President of the STAND for Darfur club in school and even though I know that I can know instantly cure Darfur it is my goal and duty to make sure that there voices are heard and they are not forgotten. Along with Darfur I am against abortion because I think it is incredibly backwards for someone who is living to decide what is life and to reject life from having a chance in this world. We all deserve life. Life is life just because someone decides a potential baby is not life does not justify the act of abortion. If someone is responsible enough to have sex than they should be responsible enough (mother and father) to raise that child. In the case of incest and rape they victim could just give the baby up for adoption. Even though just because one crime is committed it should never lead to another crime of punishing innocent life. We all must fight for people who don't have the God giving rights our country is based upon. Everyone deserves the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
This was a very well-written blog post. Not only did you present strong points, but you also backed them up with facts. I agree that the government should make a lot of cuts. Not only does a lot of the money go toward military funding, but other things, such as the educational system, need more support. When we watched the republican debate today, a candidate said that a very large sum of money goes toward air conditioning for our troops in the Middle East; if we put that money to better use somewhere else, not only will the other system be funded, but we will also be bringing our troops home. Other than education, what other things do you think should be funded? I also agree with you about abortion; you put forth very good points. One question for you about the issue of oil: do you think that Americans are hesitant to switch to another type of car? Even though, for example, gas prices rose drastically in spring, people still drove instead of taking public transportation; they complained about the cost of gas instead!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on many of your ideas, in my opinion the economy should be the main issue of the day and if history has taught us anything it’s that even a popular president can be voted out of office in the economy is in shambles by the end of their first term. Although, you said that military spending hurts in many ways it helps the economy because the military regulates that military equipment has to be made the United States and this creates jobs for many average Americans and this in turn helps stimulate the economy and brings down the unemployment rate. Also you said that we should reduce our dependence on oil fuel, which I also believe in, but if we do that the corporations will be sent into a state of panic and they will start laying off workers to save money, so how could we possibly at this time reduce our dependency on oil? Also with helping in Darfur, which I agree we should help them, but as you said about NATO we are not the only country in the world that is possible in helping others, other countries as well should be helping, the weight of this should not entirely rest on our shoulders.
ReplyDeleteMatt I was very surprised when you said people spend up to 20-30 thousad dollars within 10 year for gas on their cars. The ideas you presented were well thought out and I agree with most of them. The US does need to make cuts on military funding 54% is outrageously high! I believe this nation can change alot if there was less military funding. I respect that you are pro-life, but how would you feel if your parents abandoned you as a baby and left you for adoption? Probably terrible. Growing up without your biological parents and waiting day by day to just hope to be taken to a nice home must stink, this topic is debatable , but I think it could be accepted in certain circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI meant 2-3 thousand a year My bad Tom
ReplyDeleteI agree that all of these issues are important. The economy is in a bad state and we need to make budget cuts, like on military spending. Also, I believe that the people in Darfur need our help too. There are probably still problems there that most Americans are unaware of. Next, on the abortion issue, I'm kind of undecided. The mother shouldn't really choose whether to get rid of her unborn baby or not, but because the unborn baby can't decide the mother has to "play God" and choose the unborn baby's fate based on if she thinks she can raise well or give it to a good family. Do you believe that the baby should be born in every situation or are there exceptions for certain situations like bad mothering or medical problems?
ReplyDeleteMatt - I love the fact that you put so much heart into this response and really showed your true feelings. On the issue of abortion, I am undecided. I feel as if it could go either way. If a teen becomes pregnant she ultimatly has three choices, adoption, to have the baby, or abortion. I feel that it is the mother and father only that can make this decision. If they feel that they are unfit to care for the baby, then they can choose to either have it and put it up for adoption, or to take care of it right away and have an abortion. If you got a girl pregnant in high school, how do you think you would handle the situation? It would be awfully hard to take care of a baby while focusing on furthuring your education and working on your career. Also, if you are just going to give the baby up for adoption, why bother making the mother go through all the pain and time for something that she wont even get to enjoy and watch grow up in the world? I feel as if it is fully the mother and fathers choice to decide how a baby should be handled, however, i respect your opinion just as much.
ReplyDelete