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

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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

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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~