May

24

Polarizing issues

Filed Under Barack Obama, Chris Dodd, Democrats, Iraq, Politics, Presidential Debates, get informed!, john mccain, life, live green, presidential candidates, recycle, republicans, soldiers, taxes, war | Leave a Comment

flag buttonPro Choice or Pro Life? Gay Marriage? New taxes? Welfare reform?

I recently had a very long conversation with my friend regarding abortion. She has long voted for Republicans simply because she’s pro life, and in line with the leaders of her church, she votes for extreme conservatives. She also took advantage of programs available to her when she had her children such as no cost health care for her delivery (provided by the government) as well as WIC and food stamps. Her husband owned a small business and they had a few very lean years. The fact that the people she was voting for were basically against those programs intended for low income families never really dawned on her or mattered to her.

So here’s my real question? Do the real, daily-life issues matter to voters? Or only the big, sensational issues?

For example, the cost of health care really effects my family. We have high deductibles for our PPO, and end up spending a lot out of pocket. We pay into Social Security every month weeks, and yet, there’s about 100% possibility that we’ll never see that money again. Same with Medicare. We have a young son, and we’d like for there to be quality public education for him and some natural resources available for his grandchildren. Likewise, we pay a lot in taxes and we’d like to see that used more wisely - if not, then give it back. We could use it to save for our retirement, since we won’t have Social Security.

What I’m saying is that I’m glad to know where the candidates stand on issues like abortion. It helps me to understand what kinds of Supreme Court Justices they would appoint, the kind of legislation they might pass/veto. However, I wish less time was spent during the debates on these polarizing topics. I want to know what these people are going to do about issues that effect our everyday lives.

One last topic…Bring the troops home or stay the course? Some candidates (Obama, Dodd) say that they’re going to bring the troops home immediately, while some are sticking to the “stay the course” doctrine (McCain)…do you think this will be a deciding factor in the election? Personally, I want the troops home yesterday - three years ago, even. But what I’d rather hear them talk about is how they’re going to repair the US’s reputation and standing in the world. How we exit Iraq will be a part of that, but I’d like to hear more specific plans for diplomacy.

Apr

23

Greenpeace Training Scholarship Opportunity

Filed Under change it 07, greenpeace, scholarship, seventh generation | Leave a Comment

change it logoSeventh Generation & Greenpeace are training and empowering dedicated student activists to become the next generation of leaders in the global movement for change.

They’re providing 200 passionate students with full scholarships to an intensive, all-expenses-paid, week of grassroots training, led by the experts at Greenpeace.

All expenses, including travel to Washington, DC, room and board, and the training itself, will be covered for 200 bold and visionary full- or part-time students, ages 18-24.

To apply…go to changeit07.org

Application deadline is May 15, 2007 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. Good luck!