President-Elect Obama

-First, I would like to congratulate Mr. Barack Obama for a hard fought and rightfully won historical election.

-Mr. Obama used many campaigning techniques, both new and old, to help achieve this victory. One of his main focuses was on the young citizens of America, 18-39 years. Obama found a common ground between himself and the young voters, the texting fad. His campaign workers sent out billions of text messages that supported "Change."

-Technological advancement has always played a major roll in electoral politics. First, electoral candidates were able to air their debates on the radio. Then, television provided the viewing of the debates from thousands miles away. Some, may remember the first presidential candidates that were viewed on television. This cost former President Nixon to lose a race against former President Kennedy all because Nixon refused to wear make-up. Next, the Internet was created by former presidential candidate Al Gore. Gore's great invention has now become a major campaigning tool. However, many sites are created that may not be very accurate. Finally in this election, not only did Obama make history by being elected the first African American President of America but he also made history by using a new form of campaigning.

-I believe I have the right to assume that most Americans, despite our races, are all waiting for the day of President-Elect Obama's inauguration. We are waiting for the "Change." Like Mr. Obama stated in his acceptance speech on that night of the historical win, "We might not accomplish this in the first year, or even in the first term.... but we will have change!" Posted below, is a snippet of that night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jll5baCAaQU

-America and her people will just have to pray, wait and see.

-Good luck to Mr. President-Elect Obama.

~Rachel~

The Candidates' Views on Issues

John McCain's View on Issues
Abortion
-Pro-life
Budget
-Curb wasteful spending
Business and Labor
-Lower trade barrier between countries, make American workers more competitive, reform training programs
Capital Punishment
-Supports use of death penalty for federal crimes and drug kingpins
China
-Believes China’s economic boom is a concern, current rise of China and Russia call for a stronger US military
Economy
-Lower taxes to help small businesses
Education
-Supports school vouchers
Energy
-Supports alternative energy sources, possibility of more nuclear power plants, off-shore drilling
Immigration
-Supports permanent legalization for illegal aliens, tightening of the border, increase number of visas issued, restrict use of social programs on illegal aliens
Health Care
-Opposes universal heath care, Supports importing prescription drugs for lower cost
Iraq
-Favors maintaining troop levels, but criticizes management of war
Same Sex
-Supports same sex civil unions but not same sex marriage, same sex issue should be deiced by individual states
Social Security
-Is failing because it is used to fund other government funds, allow workers to invest a portion of payroll into private accounts
Stem Cells
-Supports federally funded embryonic stem cell research on existing cell, not new ones

-------------------------------

Barack Obama's View on Issues
Abortion
-Pro-choice
Budget
-Force lawmakers to pay for new spending
Business and Labor
-Supports United Auto Workers, Employment Free Choice Act, and raise minimum wage
Capital Punishment
-Supports death penalty
China

-Enforce all standing trade agreements with China, Reduce the amount of US debt held by Beijing
Economy

-Supports tax incentives to keep jobs in the US, put more money into employment insurance
Education

-Opposes school vouchers
Energy

-Supports renewable energy, clean coal, hybrid production, cutting emission standards by 80%
Immigration

-Supports permanent legalization for illegal aliens, efforts of building a fence along the Mexican border and increased personnel, tougher laws
Health Care

-Promotes affordable, accessible, high-quality health care, mandate all children have heath care coverage
Iraq

-Supports the removal of all combat troops, phased withdraw
Same Sex

-Believes in Gay equality, Supports civil unions but not same sex marriage, Same sex decided by individual states
Social Security

-Opposes privatization of Social Security, believes system is faulted and can be fixed with small changes
Stem Cells
-Supports federally funded embryonic stem cell research

---------------------------------

I hope this will help all my blog readers make a more knowledgeable and informed decision when voting.

Please, do go out and vote. Voting is on of the most important rights we have as American Citizens.

May the best man win!

~Rachel~

Issues on the Ohio Ballot

It is proven that when a person goes to vote they either don't vote or vote no on a issue if they do not know what the issue supports.

Today I will inform you on the issues!

Issue #1: Proposed Constitutional Amendment
-To change the deadline for ballot initiatives to 125 days before the election (currently 90 days)
-Yes: Making earlier deadlines gives the board of elections more time to verify signatures and saves them from advertising issues that don't make it to the ballot
-No: This would place more limitations and restrictions on the peoples freedom to propose issues
Issue #2: Proposed Constitutional Amendment
-To authorize the state to issue an additional $200 million in bonds to continue the Clean Ohio program for environmental revitalization and conservation
-Yes: It has worked in the past to conserve and protect the environment and wild life, and deserves more funding to continue.
-No: Government should not take out debts to conserve the environment, it should be left up to the citizens

Issue #3: Proposed Constitutional Amendment
-To amend the constitution to protect private property rights in ground water, lakes, and other water courses
-Yes: It allows property owners to use their resources, protects property rights and protects eminent domain.
-No: It would be an unnecessary addition because property owners have already have free access to these water ways, but the state has the right to regulate it.

Issue #4: Did not make it (see issue #1)

Issue #5: Referendum on HB545
- It is a referendum on legislation making changes to check cash lending known as "pay day lending," it would change fees, interest rates and practices
-Yes: Max loan will be $500, max APR at 28% (currently up to 300%), and will require minimum payment.
-No: Status quot agreements are personal choice and require responsibility on the individuals parts. Also, a loss of jobs.

Issue #6: Proposed constitutional amendment
-To amend the constitution by initiative petition for a casino near Wilmington in southwest Ohio and distribute to all Ohio counties a tax on the casino.
-Yes: It will create 5,000 jobs and additional economic development owner will pay $200 million in a special tax.
-No: The amendment creates a monopoly for one out-of-state casino owner. There are too many loopholes in the way the money would be distributed. Casinos create a haven for alcoholics and gamblers.

*all of the information came from and in class lecture given by Anne Hanson

~Rachel~

Richard Duncan for President

Duncan '08!

Richard Duncan is running for president in Ohio. Being from Ohio, I would like to focus on him for my first blog post. I first read about him in "The Plain Dealer" pdQ&A in section D3. I believe he is honest and needs to be supported. what struck me the most, was that he went door to door and collected 13,000 signatures of registered voters for his name to be on the ballot (only 5,000 is needed). Plus, he continues to promote himself each and every day until the elections are over. He is a money saver, too. He plans on only spending max $2,000 on his campaigning. That includes copy costs, gas coasts, hotel costs, etc. "Time is what I spend the most" (Duncan). That is one dedicated man. Get this! His Veep is Ricky Johnson, a preacher out of Farrel, PA.

You might be asking yourself..... Who are they????????

But when was the first time you heard about Sarah Palin? Or, how about Obama?
NOT UNTIL THEY STARTED CAMPAIGNING!
Right?

Here is a letter posted by Joseph on http://www.plunderbund.com/2008/10/12/richard-duncan-for-president-official-campaign-information/. It is an actual letter from Richard Duncan. I hope it will help you make a decision on who to vote for. First, thank you Joseph and Richard Duncan.

Remember to think about Richard A. Duncan, whether you are in Ohio or any other state.

A Government and Politic Student
~Rachel~

The letter from Mr. Richard A. Duncan:

My name is Richard A. Duncan.

I am running for President in 2008 and my name will be printed on the ballot. I am 55 years old and reside in
Aurora, Ohio (Portage County) near Cleveland. I graduated from Kent State University in 1979 with a Masters Degree in Urban Geography where I prepared myself for a career as a city planner. I specialized in governmental land use controls and the development of New Communities such as Irvine, California; Columbia, Maryland; and Reston, Virginia.

I am a member of the American Planning Association, which keeps me informed on modern city planning principles. I am also a member of the American Center for Law and Justice and the Methodist Church.

I was a write-in candidate for U.S. President in 2004. I also ran for U.S. Senator in 2006 and received 803 write-in votes. I have not held an elected office except for being Vice President of my freshman class at Mount Union College in 1971. Indirectly, I have been involved in the political process as I was a pro se plaintiff (self-represented) in the landmark Ohio zoning case of Duncan v. Middlefield (1986). In this case I successfully argued what would be the correct law on area variances before the Ohio Supreme Court.

I raised my 2 daughters, have practiced real estate sales under my license I have held since 1976, worked for the U.S. Postal Service, worked as a security guard and have invested in rental dwellings. I remodeled a
home into my current campaign headquarters in commercial area in Middlefield Village.

Now that my children are adults I want to devote time toward helping the public and to improve the quality of lives in the future. I completely fund my own campaign, and thus have no ties to anyone except the needs of the American people. For years I have been circulating a petition to get my name on the Presidential ballot and personally obtained over 13,000 signatures in most of the Ohio counties. In circulating this petition, I have
listened to the people as to what is important to them and their futures. This has been instrumental in formulating my platform.

PLATFORM

Obviously, the top priority to the voters and myself is homeland security vs. terrorism and the resolution of the war in Iraq. I believe militarily and strategically it is beneficial to be in that region to monitor terrorism, but
the cost of lives and tax dollars must be curtailed drastically, or at least attempted to be cut back.

Secondly, the goal of creating new jobs and preserving the ones we have in this country is crucial to me. I believe I am equipped to tackle this goal due to my training and background in city planning principles. I
believe many economic, social, governmental and public goals can be accomplished from the
following governmental actions, means or tools:

* Launching major urban renewal projects in our major cities. These will be targeted to crime and blighted areas closely accessible to our central business districts and involve high density projects.

* Commencing an aggressive industrial or business development program which encourages corporations, etc. to locate in these revamped areas.

* Improving intra-city public transportation systems with links between cities by a high speed rail system similar to those in Europe. Such projects will hopefully lessen dependence on automobiles and foreign oil,
provide jobs, help eliminate crime and reduce our prison population, and provide tax dollars for inner city schools, etc.

Other issues of concern to me are:
* Assuring equal opportunities for all children to receive an education.
* A firm and fair immigration policy (possibly a fence) which deters illegal crossings and encourages the increase of the quotas if a need for jobs still exists. This will stop the waste of tax dollars on health care and
schooling and other governmental services and give Americans the first chance at jobs.
* The continued development of alternative energy sources.
* Providing a national health care program for the middle class who need it most.
* Restoring morals in our country, preserving the right to life, and maintaining God and the right to religion as constitutionally possible.

I respectfully request that you, the voters, give to me the incentive to pursue my journey of improving the
quality of lives of Americans.

Thanks for the support!