Can We Now Ask Serious Questions?

First off, and I didn’t get a chance to post about this yesterday, congratulations to Barack Obama for being “hired” as our 44th president.  I completely understand the historical significance of the election of an African American for the first time to the highest nation in the land.  For those that did not vote for him, myself included, he has a lot of work to do to convince me that he will govern from the center and not cater to his far left liberal friends.

But now, that we finally had some closure, it is my hope that we can finally ask President-elect Obama some serious questions, and that maybe the media will stop treating him like a saint.  And hopefully, there will not be any media blackouts like in the aftermath of the Biden tv interview with a station in Orlando, FL.

We have some serious issues that need to be resolved, and nobody, NOBODY, should receive a free pass when we’re trying to solve some serious problems.  So I am cautiously optimistic, that when Obama makes some mistakes, the media will not gloss it over as if it is nothing.  I expect similar treatment from the media as they have shown to President Bush.  But for now, with the election season over, let’s see about concentrating on transitioning the government and solving these problems that we have, in a common sense centrist way.

My Voting Experience Today

Today, I woke up bright and early, so I could vote first thing in the morning, like I normally do on election day.  When I got to my polling station this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to find the parking lot full, and a line wrapping outside of the building.  I was in and out in little more than an hour.  Of course, as with any election, volunteers were out handing out respective political party sample ballots.

Also, when I got near the front of the line, it was a little disorganized, but overall, everyone was friendly, and we had a choice of either using an electronic (touch screen) or paper ballot.  I went ahead and went with the touch screen ballot.  I must say, it was really easy, and clear, and I did not have any problems registering my respective votes.  The screen even showed me, after voting, a summary of what and who I was voting for, and allowed me, if I wanted to make a change, to click on the name and change my vote.

Overall, a very simple process, and I’m definitely glad I took part in this historic process today.  I always feel really good when I vote, no matter who wins, and am really happy that we are able to go to the polls, in an orderly fashion, and be able to cast our votes without any coercion.  Today is one of those days where I’m glad to be an American.

If you haven’t already done so, go out and vote!  I’m hoping when I turn on the news this evening that record turnouts are reported.

Tomorrow Is The Day!

Finally!  We’re on the cusp of yet another national election day.  I hope everyone does their civic duty tomorrow and votes!  I’ll be one of the few who will be in line bright and early in the morning.  As I’ve mentioned in a couple of my previous votes, I’m glad we’re at election day.  To cap this post all off, I’ve been reading an article on ABC news’ website regarding the final day of campaigning, and that can be seen here.

What I find interesting about this article is the fact that Senator Obama, after three debates, is finally saying that he may not be able to accomplish everything he would like in his first term, due to the economic downturn.  Can’t say I’m overly surprised by this revelation.  Obama has said quote:

changing the tax code, investing in clean energy, controlling health care costs and improving the education system remain his “core commitments.”  We will have progress on all front by the end of my first term.

Hmmm….  Interesting.  All of those “core commitments” may be more difficult to accomplish than he, and his democratic allies may think.  Obama has recently stated that he will bankrupt coal companies.  That’s definitely a good way to invest in clean energy.

Senator McCain, of course, is touting his underdog status and how much he relishes it.  His campaign’s own internal polling shows races tightening up in “key” battleground states.  After seeing poll after poll, I’m not so sure we can count on the accuracy of any polls going into tomorrow.  Who knows what people are going to do once they’re behind the curtain tomorrow.

One thing I do know for sure is that we are in for an excellent turnout and we are in for a historic election tomorrow no matter who wins.  And I, for one, am glad to be able to participate in such a historic election

2 Days and Counting…

So we now have two days until we all go out and vote.  I’m very happy that we’re just about ready for election day.  Between the daily polls that are released on the morning news and the predictions, we’ll finally have a decided winner.  This election is historic for many reasons, but the reason I would like to touch upon today, is the fact, that for the first time since JFK was elected in 1960, we will be electing a sitting senator to be president of the United States.

This fact got me to thinking about what type of relationship, no matter who wins, that either Senators McCain or Obama would have with Congress, in particular, with the Senate.  There’s a great article in today’s Washington Times about this very topic and it can be viewed here.

Since the Senate is made of only 100 members, there is more of a club feeling than you might find in the House.  If either were elected, I don’t foresee their former colleagues being overly cordial toward either a President McCain or Obama.

If Obama were to lose on Tuesday, I’m confident he’ll return to the Senate and be a strong presence in opposing any McCain administration policies and proposals.  He could ride this tide of opposition to a renewed White House bid in 2012.

However, if McCain were to lose, I’m not so sure he would return to the Senate, and if he were to return, what type of role would he play?  Would he be like Senator Kerry and just fade into the background for the remaining two years of his term, and quietly retire?  I don’t know for sure about that.

If Obama wins, will his Senate colleagues continue their cordial behavior toward him?  I question, beyond the election on Tuesday, just how united the Democratic party truly is.  True, Obama is one of the most liberal members of the Senate, but once he’s elected, will he become more centrist in order to generate more appeal toward the masses?  Plus, I already know that members of his own party are far more radical and liberal than Senator Obama is.  For example, Barney Frank in the House is in favor of decreasing military spending by 25%, before our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are completed!

True, you would figure that since it appears the Democrats are in store for a huge landslide victory on Tuesday, will unified government automatically mean progress?  I think an Obama presidency may be weakened simply due to internal party division, and because Obama will be so beholden to his massive donors and their particular policy stances.  I wouldn’t count on too many serious policy shattering changes during a unified democratic government.

If McCain were to win, I think we will see massive gridlock, and the continuance of gotcha politics that we’ve seen since 2006.  If the democrats gain as much as they’re projected in the house, and reach 60 in the senate, the democrats could, potentially, override any McCain vetoes and get their agenda passed regardless.

Either way, I think whoever is elected, I think we very well may be in store for a do nothing presidency simply because congress won’t be as cordial to either candidate, whoever wins.

Could America Be Facing A Far Left Liberal Triumverate?

Something that the GOP has been talking about in recent days is a unified democratic government.  Can you imagine how liberal of an agenda could be passed with Barack Obama as President and with Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, and Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader?  I don’t want to even begin to imagine the far left agenda that we’ll be looking at potentially this time next week.  Let’s briefly go down the list of possibilities:

• Higher Taxes, check
• Government subsided universal health care, check
• Democrats guaranteeing retirement, possible check
• Increased national debt, check
• Bigger government, check

This list only names 5 items of a laundry list that the Dems are hoping to ram down our throats.  In my opinion, the problem with where the Democratic party has gone today, is that they have become extreme believers in an entitlement society, and that big federal government, in Washington, is more capable of taking care of our everyday needs than ourselves.  I feel they have lost all faith in Americans to figure it out on their own.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a big fan of an overly conservative agenda either.  I see what 6 years of unified government under Republicans has gotten us, and I’m definitely not a very big fan.  Unified government presents just as many cons, as it does benefits.  This time around; however, I think, overall, we have gotten royally hosed.  With the exception of the midterm elections of 2006, generally speaking, you should be able to see work across the aisle.  These past two years, we have seen anything but that.  We have seen one of my biggest pet peeves ever, gotcha politics.  I can’t stand gotcha politics.  But that’s a topic for another post.

Given the fact that we could be facing a far left liberal triumverate, I have located a pretty funny video that the Republican National Committee has released.  Take a look, pretty funny stuff!

What’s the Number, Barack? $250,000 or $200,000

So I just saw another Barack Obama campaign ad and it was about his tax plan.  In this ad, and unfortunately, I cannot find it on youtube, or anywhere else for that matter, he indicates that any family making LESS THAN $200,000 per year will not see their taxes increase.  Well, gee, and I wrote about this very issue the other day, according to Barack Obama’s website, his plan, which can be seen here, is as follows:

• Middle class families will see their taxes cut – and no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase.
• Families making more than $250,000 will pay either the same or lower tax rates than they paid in the 1990s.
• Obama’s plan will cut taxes overall, reducing revenues to below levels that prevailed under Ronald Reagan.

So, Senator, which number is it?  I also raise this question again tonight, because I was reading on The Politico, Ben Smith’s blog, about how New Mexico’s governor, Bill Richardson, has defined the middle class as people making less than $120,000 per year.  Here’s a video of it:

I personally am concerned with how the number is decreasing as we’re moving forward.  I say, let’s set a number and stick to it, Senator.  Stop confusing us voters which number it really is.  I, for one, already believe that the number is going to be significantly lower than the $250,000 that you indicate on YOUR website.  Barack, let’s have some straight talk about this issue, and nail down this number!

Immigration: Strangely Absent From The Debate Part 2 of 2

This post is the second, and final post, in a two part series that I started yesterday on immigration.  Yesterday, I took a look at Barack Obama’s immigration stance, and today, I will look at John McCain’s.  I have taken the liberty of pulling, from John McCain’s website, the key points of his immigration plan below, which can be seen here:

• Secure our borders
• Prosecute “Bad-Actor” employers
• Meet America’s labor needs
• Address the undocumented
• Eliminate the family backlog

It is strangely interesting that both candidates have similar key points in their respective plans.

First, let’s look at securing our borders.  Both McCain and Obama are in favor of adding increased funds to assist in shoring up border security issues.  Definitely not a bad idea, and it’s good to see that both candidates have similar views on securing our borders; although, I can’t help but wonder if Senator Obama is against a physical fence along our borders.

Secondly, prosecute “bad-actor” employers.  Both candidates support ensuring that employers are hiring, and retaining, legal, documented workers.  However, I feel that Senator McCain has a more robust policy of prosecuting those firms that refuse to comply with immigration employment laws.  I don’t believe that Senator Obama will take the controversial steps, when employers don’t wish to comply, to raid work sites that are suspected of employing undocumented workers.  If deterrence will not work, than harsher measures should be taken to discourage the employment of undocumented illegal aliens.

Thirdly, meeting America’s labor needs.  I do believe, like Senator McCain, that we need a temporary worker program in place, that is monitored, so that temporary workers do not “slip” through the cracks and stay longer than their work visas permit them.  We should employ a simple tracking system, and then verify, that these temporary workers are indeed working where they say they’re working, and living where they say they’re living.  This no nonsense step, of course, will require additional manpower, but with immigration being such a serious national security issue, we should take these measures, to ensure these workers are not staying here beyond their legally devoted time.

Fourthly, addressing undocumented aliens.  Senator McCain is in favor of having undocumented immigrants enroll in a program.  This program will perform background checks on these individuals to determine if they should be deported or not.  Sorry, I don’t think we should be performing background checks, these people have already broken the law!  I do like the fact that these people, who came out of the shadows, as Barack Obama says, will not receive green cards prior to those who have followed the rules, but it sure does sound like some form of amnesty.  Also, McCain indicates a fine should be levied on these individuals as well, along with the payment of any background tests, and to take a citizenship test.  What will this fine be?  Does this stance also mean that we will consider illegal immigration some form of federal misdemeanor, instead of a felony?  I do agree with McCain that we do need to resolve the status of these individuals; however, off them a path to citizenship?  I’m not so sure I’m keen on that idea or not.  I will need to see what this final plan entails prior to making any final judgment.

Finally, eliminate the family backlog.  Senator McCain makes a very good point here.  There needs to be reform in this area if persons, who are legally attempting to receive green cards, shouldn’t have to wait for 20 years for their number to come up.  We need some serious specifications and procedures on how green cards should be acquired, and what these people, who are legally doing the right thing, can follow to expedite the process.

With the exception of the fines for being here illegally, I cannot find too much to disagree with on McCain’s immigration policy.  However, I can see that both candidates have similar viewpoints on this all important national security issue.  As I mentioned in my first post, I really am not in favor of a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, but I do realize something needs to be done with the status of these people.  This policy should be fair, first off, to those who have followed all the rules and laws to come here legally.  We also shouldn’t be giving any sort of amnesty, because then that sets an equally bad precedent, that, in my point of view, just increases the odds that even more people will come here illegally, especially if they know they’re going to be forgiven of violating our immigration laws.

Immigration is definitely an issue that should be discussed in more detail.  It should be included in our national security, and homeland security debate.  We should come up with a robust policy, and reform an ancient system to suit the needs of the 21st century.  Until we can address this politically complex issue, who knows who exactly is coming across our borders.  For all we know, terrorists from Al Qaeda and other such organizations, could be illegally, and secretly, coming across our southern border.  The time to address this issue is here and now!

Immigration: Strangely Absent From The Debate Part One of Two

As I have been listening to the national debate this presidential election, I have noticed one significant issue has been absent, immigration and immigration reform.  Especially after 9/11, immigration is most definitely a national security issue.  I will discuss my thoughts on immigration reform in two distinct posts.  One post concerning my thoughts on Barack Obama’s immigration plan, and the second on John McCain’s.  I have taken the liberty of pulling from Barack Obama’s website, the key points of his immigration plan below, which can be seen here:

• Create secure borders
• Improve our immigration system
• Remove incentives to enter illegally
• Bring people out of the shadows
• Work with Mexico

It’s good to see that both candidates support securing our borders.  Both candidates wish to throw extra money at border security initiatives and providing CBP agents the tools they need, so I have no problem with securing the borders, and I generally agree with both candidate’s thoughts on securing the borders.  Now I will discuss my thoughts on the other areas of each candidate’s plans.

One issue I have with Obama’s plan is the idea of bringing illegal immigrants out of the shadows.  What he suggests is that those who have come here illegally, and have been here in good standing, could pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for citizenship purposes.  So let me get this straight, we’re going to reward people who have broken immigration laws to pay a fine and become citizens?  So let’s go ahead and reward illegal behavior…  Sounds like the basis of a good plan to me!

On the learning English portion of bringing illegals out of the shadows:  Does this mean that Obama supports a concept where we ensure English is the official language of this country?  I think this is an issue that really bears discussion.  We should have a requirement that in order to become a citizen, you should speak English, because that’s the only language the test should be given in!  There should be no expectation that the government will translate any government documents into any other language!  So, Senator Obama, I hope you can get on board with naming an official language.

On Obama’s thoughts on revising the immigration application fees, that’s something I don’t have any issue with for improving the immigration system.  If high fees are a detractor and is a root cause of illegal immigration, then, perhaps, this is a good route to take.

I am also in agreement with Obama’s thoughts on discouraging employers from hiring illegal immigrants.  This is an area where ICE needs to increase enforcement of.  Now, as the media has reported, there has been an increase in work site enforcement raids, in Iowa and Mississippi, just to name a couple, that have made people very upset; however, in the long run, I think these raids will begin to show employers that the government means business on ensuring one, proper documentation, and secondly, that the government will not tolerate employers to employ undocumented workers.

Work site enforcement is another area where I disagree with Barack Obama, and I am convinced, if he is elected president, he will decrease efforts in work site enforcement.  According to Barack Obama, and you can see this quote directly here:

Immigration raids are ineffective: Despite a sevenfold increase in recent years, immigration raids only netted 3,600 arrests in 2006 and have placed all the burdens of a broken system onto immigrant families.

Now, I find it very difficult to believe that immigration raids are ineffective.  Do they place a burden onto immigrant familes, that’s something I can definitely buy.  Especially the children when they’re more than likely American citizens to lose their breadwinner.  To this I say, you shouldn’t have broken the law.  I know, that sounds really insensitive, but, are we supposed to make exceptions to breaking immigration law because you have a family?  I don’t know, and I’m glad I don’t have to determine a solution to that issue.

One area I can definitely get behind Obama on is making it easier for immigrant soldiers to quicken their path to naturalization.  Senator Obama, you’re right on, that we should make it easy for those who are fighting to protect our freedoms to become citizens quicker.  They are paying the ultimate sacrifice, and showing up front, before receiving citizenship, that they’re prepared to die for something they don’t have.

Finally, on the issue of working with Mexico, I completely disagree with Senator Obama with.  How would you propose that we work with Mexico?  Mexico has no interest in curbing their citizens from entering the United States illegally!  As a matter of fact, the Mexican government publishes pamphlets encouraging citizens to do so, and the best ways to not get caught!  Interesting that the Mexican government would be in favor of illegally entering the United States when Mexico has the strictest immigration laws in the world!  The Mexicans have no interest in assisting us with securing our borders and always, ALWAYS, throw a fit when we attempt to even begin talk of securing our borders, or increased border patrols.  I don’t think the Mexicans can be trusted as partners in this regard, and working with them will be a huge waste of our time and effort.

Overall, with the exception of his “Bringing illegals out of the shadows,” a decrease in work site enforcement, and working with Mexico, I largely agree with Senator Obama’s plan; however, I will reserve judgment until a comprehensive plan has been introduced with the final proposed language.

In my next post, I will go over my thoughts on John McCain’s immigration plan.

Obama’s Tax Plan: Are the Numbers Changing?

Barack Obama has spent a significant amount of time promoting his comprehensive tax plan to voters.  Senator Obama has been saying for months now, that under his plan, families making under $250,000 a year, would not see their taxes increase under his administration.  Yet, during a radio interview on Monday, Senator Biden had this to say about taxes:

“Under the old tax policy that was put in by George Bush, people making an average of $1.4 million a year, good people, decent people, patriotic, they’re going to get an $87 billion tax break.  What we’re saying is that $87 billion tax break doesn’t need to go to people making an average of $14. million, it should go like it used to – it should go to middle-class people, people making under $150,000 a year.”

Now, I must say, that reasoning, conflicts with what is the official policy on Barack Obama’s website under the Obama Plan, which can all be found at Barack Obama’s website in full, and I quote:

• Middle Class families will see their taxes cut – and no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase.
• Families making more than $250,000 will pay either the same or lower tax rates than they paid in the 1990s.
• Obama’s plan will cut taxes overall, reducing revenues to below the levels that prevailed under Ronald Reagan.

So what does all this mean?  Is this yet another gaffe by Senator Biden or is this a sign of things to come?

I know it’s been well reported on that Barack Obama has lot of spending he wants to do once he gets to the White House, if he’s fortunate to serve.  With that being said, does this mean that his tax plan is undergoing some serious revisions?  To me, this wouldn’t be an earth shattering development because, of course, the plan will need to change!  Why do you ask?  Because there aren’t enough of the extremely wealthy out there to support all of his spending measures.

There are a couple of things in Obama’s plan that causes my eyebrows to raise:

• Putting aside the monetary classification of this plan, what is a middle class family?  Is a family just a husband and a wife?  Or do you need to have a certain amount of children to qualify under middle class?  Interesting on how the mainstream media just seems to leave out this all important point.  It kind of reminds me of the 2000 campaign when Al Gore said there would be “targeted” tax cuts.  Could the language in the Obama plan be misleading?  Perhaps, I’d have to wait and see the final plan when and if he wins the Oval Office.
• Under this plan, Obama will, quote,

“Ask the wealthiest 2% of families to give back a portion of the taxes they have received over the past eight years to ensure we are restoring fairness and returning to fiscal responsibility.” 

• What exactly does this mean?  A lot has been said about Obama and redistributing the wealth, and I won’t rehash any of that here.  Does this mean, that the wealthiest 2% will have to revise their previous tax returns and pay back taxes?  And what’s this about restoring fairness to the tax system?  Apparently someone is asleep at the switch here, since when is any tax policy fair??  Hello????  Anyone home????  There is no way for a tax system to be fair.  There are always going to be special interests, some people will want deductions for x, and y.  The only way a tax system can be fair is for their to be a flat tax where everyone pays the same percentage, but that’s something I’m convinced will never see the light of day.  Steve Forbes is really onto something here, but I digress.
• How does this plan address small business owners who file their taxes on a standard form 1040?  Now, I don’t claim to know anything about the tax code, but if small business owners are filing the 1040, and they provide jobs, does this mean they will pay a higher tax rate?  This loophole needs to be figured out in this comprehensive plan.

However you want to cut the pie, it sounds to me that Barack Obama is suggesting raising taxes during an economic downturn.  That stance is definitely not good for a struggling economy, and it has the potential to backfire on you significantly.  Quick, someone needs to ask Herbert Hoover about that.

I went to Obama’s website and used his nifty tax calculator and it showed that I would get a $1,000 tax credit, rebate, refund, whatever you want to call it.  However, I also realize, that these things can change significantly between election day, and an actual, finalized package is presented to Congress.  Until then, I am going to remain skeptical about this, and John McCain’s plan.

What I can tell you though is that I’m personally against using the phrase “Redistribution of Wealth”, and I also don’t approve of punishing successful people with higher taxes, so that those who don’t work as hard are given free handouts.  To me, that penalizes you for successfully pursuing the American Dream, something citizens of our country strove for from the very beginning, and still do today.

References:

ABC News:  “McCain Jumps on Another Biden Interview for Hit on Taxes”
Barack Obama:  Taxes