Be An Educated Voter
With the 2008 Presidential Election only a few days away, I just wanted to ask everyone that votes to be an educated voter. Please don’t vote based on the mud-slinging ads you see on television. Don’t vote based on biased, single minded party specific opinions. Vote based on the facts and the facts only.
I’ve heard a lot lately about Obama being a socialist. The more I research this, the more I find this is simply something created by the McCain campaign. If you look at both candidates closely, both have potentially socialist views. Does that mean voting will automatically create a socialist country? No. Let’s face it, capitalism isn’t perfect. Until every person is taxed evenly and everyone has the exact same opportunities as others, this country will always be somewhere between capitalism and socialism.
That being said, capitalism is a wonderful goal. What I’m trying to say here is that you can’t always believe everything you hear on television. This is just one of the many things I’ve heard recently between the two candidates that’s incorrect. So before you vote, please look at the facts. Read both candidate’s plans and rewatch the debates if you can. Watch the interviews from talk shows and news stories from your local news. All of these are meant to be unbiased.
Can we fully believe everything a candidate promises? No. Campaigns are meant to make the candidate sound perfect. However, the problems with our country will not be fixed overnight. Nor will either candidate be able to fix everything. In fact, some things will probably worsen while others get better. What happens; though, is completely up to you.
If you can’t be an educated voter, don’t vote. If you can’t be unbiased and vote for the better candidate without regard to party, don’t vote. Whether McCain or Obama, vote for who you believe is the best candidate. Party doesn’t matter. Candidate plans, solutions, and the facts are what matter.
Beyond Politics – Could Campaigns Be Useful?
With the 2008 Presidential election less than a week away, candidates are busy trying to sway those few still undecided. However, for most Americans, we’re simply looking forward to different commercials, or at least something not dealing with political mud slinging.
Now, just to be straight right from the start, this isn’t a post about who you should vote for, or how wonderful a certain candidate is. Personally, I don’t care who you vote for, or even if you vote. Voting, or not voting, is a personal choice. Not to mention, there are plenty of ads and other people who will gladly tell you all you probably don’t want to know about their favorite candidates.
Every candidate promises change. Every ad promises they are better than their opponent. Every speech and debate promises us a perfect country. Every politician running for public office has always promised the same thing. However, it takes much more than words to make a difference.
I look at the figures for campaign costs and all the time the candidates spend away from their current governmental positions and wonder why we support anyone at all. If candidates really want support, how about doing something useful with their time and money instead of wasting ours?
Instead of spending thousands and even millions on a campaign, how about putting that money to good use? Donate the money to charity or use it to help fund state and national projects currently on the backburner due to lack of funds. Honestly, this type of candidate would be much more appealing to the masses.
Also, why would we want to vote for someone that isn’t even capable of staying in the position in which they were originally elected. Look at the presidential and vice presidential candidates for instance. Three are senators and one is a governor. Who’s doing their job while they’re off campaigning? Granted, they work when their campaigns allow, but do we really want someone who can’t finish one job before moving on to the next?
Now, candidates must campaign. That’s the only way anyone’s going to know they are running. Candidates should still have fundraisers, but only keep a small portion of the money. This money should be used for one or two ads that will run through the duration of the campaign. The same ad can be used in newspapers and on television. Also, state visits should be carefully planned instead of jumping back and forth constantly. Candidates can allow talk shows, local news, and newspapers to help spread the word.
As far as doing their job, candidates should only campaign when they’re not working. Their original position should be first and foremost with the campaign as more of a side job. This would prove they could handle their normal responsibilities and those of a campaign at the same time. Successfully handling both would prove the candidate is worthy of a new position.
Will anything really change? No. Although, it’s nice to think one day political campaigns could benefit everyone. But then again, what’s a campaign without waste and politics? When in truth, a campaign should go beyond politics. All that truly matters is what kind of person the candidate is and a straight answer on where they stand on important issues. There is no need for mud slinging or tons of political non-sense. So when you go to vote, look beyond the politics.
Have your say about the presidential election in the poll below.
The Truth Surrounding High Gas Prices
Environmental concerns are just the latest in the line of excuses as to why gas prices are hitting new records each day. I’ve read articles that have stated everything from short supply to weather being the culprits. I’m sure I’m not the only one that is finding it hard to believe that we are suddenly running out of oil. Unless I am horribly wrong, cars that run on alternate fuels were being created years ago and from all reports worked just fine. The reason we are not using these cars now is due to oil companies buying these small, but environmentally safe companies out.
Apparently, there have been quite a large number of accidents in the oil refineries this year. This has decreased the production of gasoline by over half. Maybe I misheard when Hurricane Katrina hit that we had reserves. It has also been stated by our government that oil refineries produce more than is actually needed. If both of these are facts, then we should be fine until production is back up and running. Instead, gas prices are soaring. Since Hurricane Katrina hit, Americans have seen gas prices go up and down by dollars, not cents. I live in North Carolina, so I will use our prices as a comparison. During the hurricane, our prices spiked $3.26 for regular unleaded. During the course of the next two years, I have seen prices drop to $1.98 and average out around $2.30 per gallon. In the past month, prices have risen from $2.70 to $3.05 for regular unleaded. One man is even being sued by the state for selling gas too cheap. I also have the wonderful privilege of living in one of the highest gas tax states.
As I mentioned earlier, environmental concerns are one of the main reasons for the high prices so suddenly. Oil companies believe that by charging more for gas, Americans will drive less. However, thanks to the rising prices, we have no choice but to drive. How else can we afford the gas and the increased prices of basic necessities such as food? Cars and of course gasoline have allowed communities to become more spread out. It is difficult to find a job, let alone one nearby. Therefore, people must drive farther to support their families. With companies shutting down left and right, it is hard to expect people to stay within a few mile radius of their job and simply walk to work.
Neighbors no longer work in the same places, so car pooling usually isn’t an option. Unless you live in a large city, buses do not exist either. Hybrid cars are selling at a much higher value than your average car. Plus, electricity is created in nuclear power plants and costs a pretty penny as well. Pray tell, how is one supposed to afford the switch when they cannot even afford gas? I do not see how these hybrid cars are any better for our environment. From various posts I’ve read on discussion boards, neither does anyone else. Our government has allowed companies to move overseas and is now so desperate for replacements that they are providing large incentives to companies to start up. However, the draw back is that the tax payers are paying for their own jobs. In a few years, companies will move to another location to receive a new set of incentives once the ones from their current location are said and done. No jobs equal longer commutes to other jobs, which in turn equals more oil consumption.
I am sure any government or oil company officials will be glad to provide more excuses when Americans complain about gas prices. This is their job. As a free country, it is every working person’s responsibility to demand the truth and be treated fairly. Gas is rising simply to provide raises to those who did not need the money to start with. In the long run, higher gas prices will cause the economy to fall and if something does not change, another depression will soon begin. Someone needs to resist being bought out and start producing the alternative fuel cars, such as the corn meal and even garbage. Some hydrogen cars have been created as well. Either that, or the oil guys need to listen to the voice in the back of their minds and give up their raises so everyone else can prosper and have financial security.
Freedom of Speech
For a definition and history of free speech, please visit Wikipedia.
Now that the definition is out of the way, everyone should ask themselves what they truly believe free speech is. On the most basic level, this is the right to express opinions openly either through the spoken or written word. The only condition is to be certain no physical harm results from these words. Whereas an individual can speak freely, assault is illegal. This issue also goes a little deeper with emotional or mental abuse, which is considered an equivalent to physical abuse or assault. So where does one draw the line?
Common sense dictates you should not speak with malicious intent. In writing for a newspaper or magazine, libel is forbidden. The same should hold true with all forms of speech, whether verbal or written. To put it simply, speak your mind and your opinions, but think of how the other party will be affected first. To be taken seriously, use at least a miniscule amount of intelligence to consider a) how you would comprehend the opinion or comment and b) do you have any evidence to back up the claims or opinions. Be respectful of others, despite any reservations or prior knowledge you may hold.
These particular statements stem from the recent media attention given to a group that protests the war on Iraq at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. Say what you will about the war, but these are still human beings that deserve the respect of a decent private burial. Also, one must think of the families affected by these protests. Not only have they lost someone they hold dear, but they must listen to someone shouting over the prayers that their loved one was worthless and deserved to die. Let’s think a minute here. How would you react in the same situation? Do you have any proof this person deserved to be shot or killed through a random car bomb?
The current war is a good example of using our right to free speech. You can approve, disapprove, or have no opinion. You can openly say how you feel. This has been evident through the many protests, rallies, newspaper editorials, television programs, and casual conversations with friends, family, and co-workers. One has to remember that although we have been given this right, it can be taken away. Our government has changed over the years. It’s not the same as when our fore-fathers signed the Declaration. In other countries, differing opinions are punishable by imprisonment, torture, and even death. The citizens are told what to think and how to speak.
Little by little, we are stripping away our right to free speech. This is a tremendous gift that most take for granted. Say what you feel, put in your two cents, but please think first. Free speech has helped change this country and make it what it is today. The things you say today could very well be the future of tomorrow. Do we want a future of hostility and fear, or one of peace and freedom?
Thank you for reading my first editorial on the 3rd Side. I will try to make this a weekly column. Feel free to post comments and ideas for future articles.
