voting experience

As a first time voter, voting was unlike any other experience I have ever had. I had voted in past local elections, but always by absentee ballot. I don't really know what I expected, but waiting in line for two hours to be in a voting booth for 3 seconds was not what I had in mind. So here's what happened...I arrived at my voting place at 2:45pm. I had a meeting that I was running at 4:30 and thought I was leaving myself enough time. Wrong. I waited until 4:26. At this point I was in line to actually vote. I was in the building and had already signed my name on the paper when I realized that I was going to have to leave. I asked one of the women directing traffic if I would be allowed back on the voting line if I came back later since I had already signed in: "Well, I'm not sure. I don't know if I'll be here then, and I don't want to tell you yes and then have you have to wait again later". I explained that I had to leave regardless and I just wanted to be able to vote. "Come with me," she whispered and pulled me across the room. "Act sick; look like your going to pass out. Excuse me, this girl feels ill she can't stand anymore. She's going to pass out. Can she vote?" With that I was lightly shoved into the voting booth, cast my ballot, and power walked out the building to my meeting. It was interesting to say the least.

I ended up making a decision about who I was voting for the night before election day. I decided to vote for McCain. I had a feeling Obama would win the election. I actually think that he is very qualified and is probably better for the country then McCain would be given the current situation. Why didn't I vote for him then? McCain is the better man for my family. I've always been a parent pleaser, and I couldn't not vote for him knowing how strongly my parents felt about Obama's tax plan. Overall, 'm happy with the way the election turned out. I support Obama and wish him luck in pulling this country out of economic crisis and toward a brighter future. I think that his original narrative of hope still rings true.

Ba"rock" the vote

Over the weekend a video appeared on CNNBC depicting the day after the election with Obama having lost by a single vote. This site allows people to customize the video with their friends' names and e-mail them the link. The name will appear in the video as the lone voter who forgot to go out and vote for Obama. The concept of losing by a single vote has been a real topic of interest. Over the summer a movie called "Swing Vote" played in theaters telling the story of an election year that comes down to one vote. One man's vote will determine the next U.S. President: "Suddenly, Bud Johnson, the nobody, becomes the voice for everybody when the world realizes that his vote will be the one that elects the next president." Bud Johnson sounds like Joe the Plumber.
Does the country really have to "fear" Obama not getting elected tomorrow? If our system works, and votes matter, and the majority is for Obama, wouldn't logic conclude Obama will be elected? This video was meant to encourage people to actually get out and vote; supporting a candidate means nothing if you don't vote for them. It will be interesting to see actual voter turnout at elections tomorrow.

is change possible?

After watching a series of videos in class last week of clips of political speeches, I left feeling discouraged about the history of our nation versus where we could potentially be headed after this year's election. Each of the speakers referenced the tough times the nation was currently facing. For example, Roosevelt mentioned the suffering economy, King spoke of hate and discrimination, and Obama talked of our current economic troubles. Throughout the last century, not much has really changed, or so it seems. We are currently experiencing the worst economic crisis this nation has seen since the Great Depression, and there are Americans who won't vote for a black man or a woman. Our country has come a long way, but many problems still exist. This makes me wonder: how realistic are promises for change from each Presidential candidate? Can either candidate pull us out of these tough times and put the United States in a truly better place in the future?
If you can't tell, I'm still undecided in this election. I'm actually a very indecisive person, and have recently been feeling a lot of anxiety about my inability to make a decision with only two days before the election. I don't even want to think about after the election and seeing the consequences of the nation's decision! This New York Times article was interesting to me especially, as I feel like I can connect with a couple of the people interviewed. Every time I feel like I am close to making a decision, I change my mind. I better decide before I enter the voting booth, or I may be in there for awhile.

If the world could vote...

Last Tuesday, a panel of foreign journalists spoke about how they felt their countries would vote in the United States Presidential election. This article from Lehigh's Brown & White highlights the general feeling of the panalists. Basically, if the world could vote, they would vote for Obama. Many foreigners believe that Obama has a better approach to foreign policy: he sees the world as countries needing to work together. A representative from Russia stated that Palin was a joke and that many Russians feel McCain would worsen the foreign policy situation.
Foreign interest in American politics is overwhelming considering many Americans have little interest in politics most of the time. In addition, a large majority of Americans are completely unaware of anything involving foreign policy and international politics. This video has nothing really to do with the election, but does show just how uneducated some Americans are. Being a superpower helps to explain why many people from other countries are so interested in American politics.
Obama's popularity has created high expectations from other countries and even people in the United States. If he is elected, he will be expected to make big changes. People are easily disappointed, and if he fails in the eyes of foreign ambassadors, other countries will continued to feel disgruntled toward the U.S. and our politics.

tax cut facts

I was watching TV and saw an advertisement supported by Obama for taxcutfacts.org. Since tax policies of the two candidates differ largely, and have been a main concern of mine during this campiagn, I wanted to check it out. The website redirects to http://taxcut.barackobama.com/. Here appears a tax calculator where you can enter in your information on annual income, dependents, age, dependents, etc. Then it calculates the tax cut you would receive under Obama versus McCain. After entering my parents' information, I received this message: "You will probably not get a tax cut under the Obama-Biden plan."
Obviously taxes are not the only important issue in this election. And what's best for my family, is not necessarily what's best for the country. I am not blind to the fact that trickle-down tax plans don't seem to be working for our economy. Not everyone who makes enough money to be cahritable is. The reality of the situation for my family is that we won't be able to afford our current lifestyle under Obama. We will have to make sacrafices. Since I plan on being dependent on my parents for another couple of years, this thought scares me. My parents both work extremely hard to give me and my sisters things they never had growing up. Under Obama's tax plan, some of those things would be taken away. I know I sound selfish, but my family has also been very generous to other people and organizations, something we not be able ot afford any more. This is really the main issue in my choosing a candidate.

Battleground PA

This video highlights the importance of Pennsylvania as a battleground state. With 21 electoral votes at stake, PA is an important state in this election. McCain is still determined that he will win Pennsylvania, despite Obama's lead in the polls. According to a New York Times article: "Losing Pennsylvania could undo any electoral gains Mr. Obama might make by winning over such longtime Republican states as Virginia, Colorado or Nevada." It is exciting to be allowed to cast my vote in such a crucial state.

McCain's campaign in the toilet?

Is McCain's campaign really going down the toilet? Calling on Joe the Plumber and attacking Obama through television advertisements have not been working for him lately. At this point it almost seems as if there is little else he could do to turn things around. I'm not saying he should publicly give up, that would reflect poorly, but I have started looking more closely at his strategy. In a swing-state like Pennsylvania, where the majority seems to be in favor of Obama, McCain has seemed to focus his efforts. The critical difference is that Pennsylvania contains some regions, such as Appalachia, that are primarily democratic, but have voted for McCain. Some Pennsylvania Democrats are keenly aware of race issues, the New York Times reported. There is a lot of uncertainty in the polls today. In addition, as the NY TImes article highlights, there may be "hidden resistance among whites to casting a ballot for an African-American". Taking the Bradley effect into account, the McCain campaign's Pennsylvania fixation becomes clearer. It is exciting to be allowed to vote is such a critical state, and it will be interesting to see what really happens on election day and if the polls correctly reflect voter turnout or not. Further, it is shocking to see that this underlying racism exists in our country. It is further surprising to see how it is largely subconscious. This is frightening because if people who are not outwardly racist, don't believe they have racist tendencies or thoughts, then nothing will be done to counteract those beliefs. It is at this point that beliefs turn into actions.