Obama's Mission Statement

We will fix the healthcare system by creating “universal healthcare” making coverage available for all. We will stop the rising poverty rates by building “promise neighborhoods” that will provide necessary resources for low income families. Together we will repair the economy by offering tax cuts to middle class families and using alternative energy source to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and lower the price of gas. Together we can bring America to a new glory.

Barrack Obama Jr.’s Biographical Sketch

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1682433/bio

http://www.biography.com/featured-biography/barack-obama/index.jsp

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/

Barrack Obama’s background offers him an awareness of many issues influencing Americans today. When his parents divorced, he was raised without a father. This experience gives him insight into different types of families and he supports same sex marriage because of it. He moved to Ohio, while therre he was a community organizer and helped people cope with job loss. The time he spent in Ohio has given him a perspective at the unemployed of America and this has caused him to raise a fund to prevent foreclosure. The influences and experiences in Barrack Obama’s raising have given him a connection to the American people.

Barrack Obama’s exposure to poverty and racism has been the basis for many of his stances. Later, Obama was raised in lower middle class by his grandparents in Honolulu, the way he got out of it was through a scholarship to a top prep-academy. Obama wants to eliminate poverty through education, the way he’s doing it is creating an American Opportunity Tax Credit which will allow all Americans to attend college. When Obama moved back to Hawaii he was only one of three African-American students in his high school and had his first experience with racism there. This exposure to racism as high scholar has lead him to say the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender. Obama has experienced the aspects of everyday life and can connect with the American people.

McCain's Mission Statement

We finish the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will honor the commitment of our veterans, giving them tax breaks and ensuring they have affordable healthcare. We will protect your constitutional freedoms including your right to bear arms. We will continue to ensure our safety from unfriendly nations by strengthening homeland security. Together we can make the integrity and the security of America better than it has ever been before.

John Sidney McCain III’s Biographical Sketch

http://www.biography.com/featured-biography/john-mccain/index.jsp

http://www.answers.com/topic/john-mccain

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/

John McCain was raised in a typical American military background, which has a strong influence on him now. John McCain’s father and grandfather were the first father and son to hold the position of admiral in the navy. The strong military background in McCain’s family has had a strong affect on McCain’s stances on the Iraq, Iran and Afganistan wars and wants to send more troops into Iraq. John was brought up in a traditional household of one father and one mother. His typical family upbringing has lead him to oppose same sex marriage. Like all people John McCain likes to stay in his comfort zone and makes decisions based of it.

John McCain understands the hardships of war and what it means to sacrifice for your country. During his torture in Vietnam he was offered early release, but refused because of military code of conduct and remained a prisoner of war for five half years. His honoring of military code and experience of torture first-hand is why he wants Guantanamo Bay closed and the prisoners tried in military courts. After was released from the Hanoi Hilton, he went through painful rehabilitation. One his main stances is for veteran healthcare, he was veteran and is empathetic to what veterans are going through now. His military experience gives him perspective into the Iraq war and the returning soldiers.

Joe Biden’s Biographical Sketch

http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=39995&page=1

http://www.ontheissues.org/Joe_Biden.htm

Joe Biden supports women and health care possibly resulting from a tragic car accident that killed his wife and child and seriously injured his two sons. While Christmas in 1972 Biden’s wife and baby daughter were fatally wounded in a car crash, his two sons survived with serious injuries. The two surviving sons probably suffer from health care problems and this is most likely the cause of Biden’s pro-stance towards public health care and his rating of 100% by the American Public Health Association. His wife who was killed in the car crash was his of seven years before her death. He wrote the Violence Against Women Act. His family tragedy has given a perspective on the healthcare crisis in America.

Joe Biden’s Irish Catholic upbringing and education influences his politics in terms of his positions on education and abortion. Joe Biden went to Archmere Academy, a prep-school on a scholarship and he now has a scholarship at that school. He was able to go to a good school and now he wants to give others the same opportunity by supporting school vouchers. His mother, Jean Biden, was catholic and he is Roman Catholic. The religious beliefs of Roman Catholics towards abortion are reflected in Joe Biden, he is against partial abortion operations and he views life starts at conception. The beliefs of the catholic society towards abortion and education are represented by Joe Biden’s current political stances.

Sarah Palin’s Biographical Sketch

http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=360398

http://www.ontheissues.org/Sarah_Palin.htm

The unique Alaskan lifestyle has affected Sarah Palin in many ways. Palin’s father hunted and took her with him, this was a bonding time for them. Since then Palin has become a member of the NRA and supports the constitutional right to bear arms. She grew up in Alaska the oil state and was the head chairman for the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Palin pushed McCain towards off-shore drilling and wants America to become free from foreign oil dependency. The geographical location where we live affects our personalities and that is no different for Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin’s family has a substantial impact on her politics. Sarah is a mother of five one of which has down syndrome. She is extremely pro-life and kept the baby, showing her commitment to her stance. She has a personal interest in the Iraq war, her oldest son is deployed there. She supports the troops and she wants an exit plan for the troops to keep them and her son safe. Because of her child with down syndrome and her child in Iraq she has constructed definite views towards those issues.

Barrack Obama Campaign Issues

#1- Abortion: Obama supports a woman's right to choose. Barack Obama understands that abortion is a dividing issue, and respects those who disagree with him. He is opposed to any change in Roe vs. Wade.

#2- Education: He wants to reform “No Child Left Behind”, saying that it was a good idea but was poorly executed. He also wants to lower the cost of college, keep teachers and implement his “Zero to Five Plan” which focuses on early childhood education. In addition, he would support college credit initiatives and college outreach programs to encourage high school students to continue their education.

#3- Death Penalty: Obama has supported the use of the death penalty in specific cases, but not on a large scale. He has opposed a bill trying to make it easier to execute gang member. But when the Supreme Court banned the death penalty for child rapists, Obama openly supported the use of the death penalty in that case.

#4- Environment: He wants to make the U.S. a world leader in natural energy. He would do this by putting a million plug-in “super” hybrids, reduce green house gas emissions and reduce the amount of gas used in the U.S. to stockpile it. He is focused on making cleaner energy and lowering gas prices.

#5- Health care: Obama’s plan is to have universal healthcare. He would accomplish this by creating a national healthcare plan where everyone would pay into a “pot” making healthcare accessible to all. Also he wants to implement more government control on healthcare.

#6- Immigration: By allowing more immigrants to legally enter the country, Obama hopes to fortify our borders. Illegal immigrants already in the states could pay a fine, learn English and go back in line to become U.S. citizens. If elected he would crackdown on business owners who hire illegal immigrants taking jobs away form Americans.

#7- Iraq War: Obama wants to end the war and successfully remove our troops. Obama would end the so the American economy can regroup because military equipment is wearing out fast adding to the strain of our current economic situation. He wants to partner with Iraq to flush out Al-Qaeda.

#8- Economy: He’s focused on giving tax rebates and cuts to America, restarting the economy and taking care of small businesses. He would give $1,000 rebate to American families immediately. In addition, Obama would also give qualifying families a $1,000 tax rebate every year. He would also give tax breaks to small businesses.

#9- Poverty: Obama would raise minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2011 and invest in urban communities. He believes this effort will help to bring families out of poverty. He wants to help low income neighborhoods by creating pods of resources to educate and assist families in need. He is focused centered on improving low income communities and help the working poor.

#10-Stem Cell Research: Obama supports stem cell research because he believes it can hold the cure for major diseases. If embryos are used it should be the ones that would have been thrown away anyway and researcher must have the consent of the embryo donor. He supports stem cell research because it could help millions of Americans suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s.

John McCain Campaign Issues

#1- Abortion: McCain only supports abortion in the case of rape or if the pregnancy puts the woman in immediate danger. The word of the rape victim would be accepted; proof of rape would not be needed. If the woman is a minor, a “family conference” would be required. McCain is against late abortions. Although he has exceptions, he seems to be pro-life.

#2- Education: He believes the parents have the right to chose there child’s school and switch schools if the school isn’t providing for their child. He believes that the right for parents to choose their child’s school is essential to providing a good education. He wants to continue and build upon “No Child Left Behind” to focus on individual students. Also he wants to get higher quality teachers into schools.

#3- Death Penalty: John McCain supports the use of the death penalty for federal crimes and terrorism. He would also seek to expand the crimes where the death penalty could be used. He is against the use of the death penalty on minors.

#4- Environment: He wants preserve our national treasures, such as the Grand Canyon. Also he is for leaving some areas undeveloped and wetland policies that would benefit all. He would to utilize government programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect and keep undeveloped areas.

#5- Health care: He would institute a refundable tax credit for families and individuals to help them with their healthcare and give them more money to invest in their healthcare. McCain would work to get workers health care “like a member of Congress” and your tax wouldn’t increase. Also he would work to make sure that health care companies would cover preexisting conditions.

#6- Immigration: He wants to secure our borders, prosecute employers who hire illegal immigrants and initiate labor programs to support America’s growing need for workers. When hiring these new workers he would protect American workers from lay-offs. Illegal immigrants could be returned or, if they will work to get American citizenship they can stay.

#7- Iraq War: McCain would continue the war in Iraq until the Iraqi government has become stable and self-governed. He would not allow Iraq to become a shelter for Al-Qaeda and other terrorists. His plans are to bring home U.S. troops to America when Iraq is a self-governing, secured, democratic government. Until these conditions are met he will continue to send more troops to Iraq. He believes we are helping Iraq move in the right direction and he will continue to help until Iraq can get back on its feet.

#8- Economy: McCain approach to the economy is to work on the big stuff and the smaller things will follow. He would initiate policies that would increase the value of the dollar. Lessening our dependence on foreign oil will lower the demand lowering the price. Making a fair tax system that is easy to use would result in taxpayers keeping more of their money. Helping homeowners with high interest mortgages get a more affordable loan would slow our high foreclosure rate.

#9- Poverty: The issue of poverty does not come up that often on his website or on the internet. He has mentioned it is important but doesn’t get into a lot of specifics about what he will do. People Connect is one of the things he did mention that will bring high speed internet service to rural areas. He also mentions training programs and housing assistance.

#10-Stem Cell Research: Although stem cell research can help cure diseases McCain will make sure to maintain moral and ethical dignity. His dedication to moral dignity is why he opposes creating human embryos for research. He does support amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research. Also he supports strict federal guidelines when federal money is used.

Scientific Issues in the Election

Gases that trap heat in our atmosphere are called Green house gases. These gases can be emitted naturally and humanly. Green house gases maintain the planets temperature, keeping it from being deathly cold, but a large amount can make our planet unbearably hot. They are called greenhouse gases because they have the same effect of a green house; they trap carbon dioxide and other gases that trap heat, this is called the greenhouse effect. In our past century greenhouse gases have caused a planetary raise in temperature. If green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, etc keep building up our temperature will continue to rise causing deadlier storms, flooding, setting up for disaster.

Nuclear weapons are usually in the form of missiles with nuclear warheads that can decimate a city. There are several different types of nuclear weapons, depending on what process they use to explode, whether it is fusion or fission. Fusion is combining of atoms and fission being the cutting of an atom, for both there are several ways to go about doing it. The type of explosion also depends on what atoms the bomb is using. The explosion of any type, depending on the variables mentioned above, can equal up to millions of TNT. Nuclear weapons are to be taken seriously considering “there are enough nuclear weapons in the world to blow up the earth a 20 times” according to Mr. Ritter.

Offshore drilling is the drilling for oil pockets in the ocean floor. The drilling is done by stationary or moving platforms. The platforms cost large amounts of money to have drills that can penetrate the ocean floor and reach the oil. They also cost ample amounts of money because they need to be able to hold the oil, support the crew and if they are moving, generate enough power to move. Off shore drilling tears up the ocean floor disrupting fish and coral reefs, this affects other species too. If the fish don’t have homes they die affecting the food chain, eventually affecting humans. Although there are consequences there are also gains, oil wells on land are running out and drills aren’t hard enough to penetrate the earth to get to oil in the earths crust so off shore drilling is a new way to deal with the energy crisis.

Republican Stances

Climate Change:

• Climate Policy Should Be Built On Scientifically-Sound, Mandatory Emission Reduction Targets And Timetables.

•Climate Policy Should Utilize A Market-Based Cap And Trade System.

•Climate Policy Must Include Mechanisms To Minimize Costs And Work Effectively With Other Markets.

•Climate Policy Must Spur The Development And Deployment Of Advanced Technology.

•Climate Policy Must Facilitate International Efforts To Solve The Problem.

Nuclear Weapons:

He supports nuclear missiles in defense against Iran, North Korea and any other nuclear weapon capable country.

Offshore Drilling:

Congress already has investigations underway to examine this kind of wagering in our energy markets, unrelated to any kind of productive commerce, because it can distort the market, drive prices beyond rational limits, and put the investments and pensions of millions of Americans at risk.

John McCain believes that where we find abuses, they need to be swiftly punished.

To make sure it never happens again, we must reform the laws and regulations governing the oil futures market, so that they are just as clear and effective as the rules applied to stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments.

A windfall profits tax on the oil companies will ultimately result in increasing our dependence on foreign oil and hinder investment in domestic exploration. Jimmy Carter put a windfall profits tax in to place with little to no useful results.

Democratic Stances

Climate Change:

· Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

The Obama-Biden cap-and-trade policy will require all pollution credits to be auctioned, and proceeds will go to investments in a clean energy future, habitat protections, and rebates and other transition relief for families.

· Make the U.S. a Leader on Climate Change.

Obama and Biden will re-engage with the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) -- the main international forum dedicated to addressing the climate problem. They will also create a Global Energy Forum of the world’s largest emitters to focus exclusively on global energy and environmental issues.

Nuclear Weapons:

He is against nuclear weapons to the extent of not total disarmament immediately, but as president “he would seek a world in which there are no nuclear weapons”.

Offshore Drilling:

Obama has changed his stance on offshore drilling to pro offshore drilling if it enacts a comprehensive policy to foster fuel-efficient autos and develop alternate energy sources.

He said “he could get behind a compromise with Republicans and oil companies to prevent gridlock over energy.”

My Opinions and Solutions

Greenhouse gases:

I think we should have started working on making cleaner energy a long time ago. The energy problem has just been passed from president to president with nothing being done. We can begin to lower greenhouse gas emissions by forcing more fuel efficient cars, investing in nuclear energy and clean coal technology and supplementing our current fuel usage with natural energy based on geographical location. The Midwest can use wind, the South solar, etc. The government should offer tax incentives to those who invest in alternative energy. Companies that try to solve the puzzle of clean, efficient energy should be given a tax break too so they will be more likely to try it. If companies start making clean cars or cleaner energy it will create jobs and help us to become a world leader in alternative energy technology. We didn’t create this problem in a day and it’s going to take longer than a day to fix, but someone needs to start taking action. Delaying action will allow the earth’s temperature to increase resulting in melting ice caps, more endangered species and make it harder to grow crops.

Nuclear Weapons:

After every country in the world has the ability to blow up the world twenty times over, then what? Countries say they must have nuclear weapons as a deterrent, but when everyone has them they lose their effect. The task of ridding ourselves nuclear weapons will be difficult considering the extremely long half life of plutonium. Maybe a way to lessen the needs for nuclear weapons would be to join with other countries to come up with a way to use plutonium for energy instead of destruction. I think way to go would be to have peace talks with other countries and form a bill in the United Nations banning production of anymore nuclear arms. If we can make other countries feel comfortable and start using the plutonium for energy it could solve a few major problem, such as the energy crisis and the possibility of nuclear warfare.

Offshore Drilling:

Most of the large oil reserves in America are already in use and almost or completely dried up. The remaining reserves offer smaller returns in quantity and also because much of this oil is harder to get to. At best offshore drilling is a band aid to our energy crisis. Also, offshore drilling is harmful to the environment, but produces the much needed oil in America. If we were to switch to alternative energy sources and do offshore drilling conservatively it would help America get back on its feet, economically. If we could find locations causing minimal damage to the environment that would be ideal. But offshore drilling is usually very detrimental to the environment due to oil spills, disturbing coral reefs and interfering with whale migration. I think if we only built a few movable oil rigs and used alternative energy sources it would work. Also by making the oil rigs movable it would make it easier to take them in and use them for scrape metal. It would be expensive at first, but it would help keep the price at the pump down.

Sources Used for Party Issues:

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

http://www.johnmccain.com/

Technology Stances of the Candidates

McCain’s goals for technology are aimed at helping the population in general while Obama’s goals are more geared to the individual.
McCain wants to maintain America's position as a world leader in technology. He would use technology to find cleaner energy and improve health care and education. Technology is the key to a skilled workforce and opening global markets. He is also focused on protecting intellectual rights, which means if you come up with idea he will try to legally protect your idea from others prospering off of your hard work.
Obama is concerned with making technology accessible to all Americans as a way to unite our country. He would expand that idea to connect us globally with the rest of the world to share ideas. He would use the internet to make a transparent and connected democracy where average Americans would feel more involved in government. Another thing he wants to do is to maintain the openness of the internet and invest in science and research.
While their methods may be different, both candidates want to use technology to create a stronger America.

Reflection: Applying the Essential Question to the Political Cartoon

There is a constant shifting of power within the case of Man v. the Institution and the Institution v. Man, the media being the institution and the man representing a collective or a single person. The media tells a story that influences the man, the viewers or readers, to think a certain way. In the case of the bailout plan the man, the financially hurt, demand the government help us and the man, the tax payers, fear the cost of the plan. In the case of whom we, the voters, want at the head our country; we want someone who will be their own person. But when they “step out of line” of what we, the voters, feel is appropriate, we name them as a rebel. The balance of influence is always shifting from one side to the other; the people influencing society, society influencing the people.

The Republican National Convention

Matson, R.J. Cartoon. PoliticalCartoons.com. n.d.
<http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/ed760f41-9f41-4716-a5df-237afc43db70.html>

The Republican National Convention hopes to deflate Obama’s campaign by exposing his weak points and showing America his campaign is “fluff”. This cartoon depicts an elephant with a tarp on his back reading “Republican National Convention”. Often seen in circuses and also the symbol of the Republican Party, in this cartoon, the elephant conveys that the election has become a “political circus” with Obama on the bottom. The elephant is standing on a ball, that ball has the Obama “O” logo on it. The Obama “O” logo represents the dawning of a new day for America under Obama which is represented by the rising sun and America is represented through the red and white stripes. Also in the cartoon the Obama “O” ball is being deflated by the elephant which symbolizes that Obama’s campaign is full of “hot” air. Obama’s campaign has no substance, and the Republican National Convention is going to flatten it.

Yesterday's News

Cagel, Darly. Cartoon. Politicalcartoons.com. n.d. http://www.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/pccartoons/archives/cagle.asp?Action=GetImage

The media is shifting its frenzy of attention from Barrack Obama to Sarah Palin. Barrack Obama is the democratic Senator of Illinois and the presidential nomination for the Democratic Party. Obama was in the limelight because he could be the first African American President of the United States and he seems to be saddened by the media is leaving him. Sarah Palin is the Governor of Alaska and the vice-presidential nominee for the Republican Party. Obama was the flavor of the month, but the media is interested in Sarah Palin because she may be the first woman vice-president in American history and she seems to be very pleased with the change of direction of the media. Obama was the change candidate for president and now Palin is change and the media wants her story.

Community Organizer

Keefe, Mike. Cartoon. PoliticalCartoons.com. 2008. n.d.
<http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/f9db86b3-8272-45ec-9fc4-52b5d67bc600.html>

Sarah Palin’s comment about Barrack Obama’s days as a community organizer discredited the importance of community organizers in the founding of our nation. In the forefront of the political cartoon is the Republican elephant and Sarah Palin shouting “Hahaha community organizers” and “Boo”. At the Republican National Convention Sarah Palin said "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities" to insult Obama because he was a community organizer. In the background of the cartoon is a picture of the founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence. The fonding fathers organized the community and declared independence from England which is nothing to joke about. To insult Obama, Palin also insulted the founders of our nation.

Wall Street Bail-out

Cagle, Darly. Cartoon. Politicalcartoons.com. n.d. http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/18e146c8-1ad5-4008-9cb3-77ae5f49914c.html

The government will have to bear the burden of Wall Street’s current economic crisis. Wall Street is represented by a well dressed pig being carried by a weakening Uncle Sam. Wall Street is unaware of its current condition and the greed that got it in trouble in the first place, now needing government money to keep going. A worried President Bush is trying to reassure the pig and Uncle Sam by saying, “Don’t worry! You’re going to be okay!” To add to the stress of our economic downturn, the government must reassure Wall Street and itself that all will be ok. Wall Street seems to be unaware the mistakes that got it in its current condition and Uncle Sam seems to be crumbling under the weight of Wall Street which could lead to another great depression.

Joe Biden Preps

Simmons, Fitz. Cartoon. Political Cartoons.com. n.d.
<http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/f5c4cce5-cb27-4ee0-bc15-ad77f3ca1f2d.html>

The vice-presidential debate on Thursday will not show who is better on the issues, but who is more polished, this evident for Senator Biden, whose aides are working relentlessly in order to make him politically correct. Biden, the first image in the cartoon is being told by aides using cards, a board, a doll and threats that if he doesn’t refrain from comments like “Governor may I say you are literally drop-dead gorgeous” an Obama aide will taser him blue. Known for speaking his mind, Biden has said true yet offensive statements in the past and a comment about Sarah Palin’s looks, may be viewed as sexist, hurting his campaign. One aide, in an attempt help Senator Biden is holding a professional looking Sarah Palin doll. A comment about Palin’s looks would be viewed as an attempt to undermine her abilities as a professional as they would not be in consideration if she was a man. Senator Biden is old fashion and a comment about looks, in our current political world, can be viewed as sexist.

Uncle Sam at the Doctors

Callie, Eric. Cartoon. Political Cartoons.com. n.d.
<http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/9497209a-2c3e-4445-9055-1a9cce9d.html>

The $700 billion dollar bailout plan will be “bitter medicine” for the government to swallow, considering that they were part of the reason why they need to enact the plan. Uncle Sam is at the doctor’s office getting ready to take a giant pill. The government that is represented by Uncle Sam made a $700 billion dollar plan to fix Wall St.’s financial mess, which they are also at fault for not watching Wall St. closer. The other image in the cartoon is the doctor getting ready to give the pill with the words “$700 B Bailout” on it and saying “Bend over”, with a sign in the background saying “Bitter Medicine”. The pill is the representation of the $700 billion bailout plan to be enacted by the government, the sign means the government is paying to fix Wall St, but it won’t be an easy fix. Wall St.’s irresponsible loans and spending has caused a financial recession, which the government is going to throw money at to fix.

Interview

What do you think three of the biggest issues in the election are, in order of most importance? Why do you think this?

The most important issue, I think is the economy because it’s so far reaching and affects everyone. Next is the war in Iraq, like most people I would like to see an end, but I don’t know what the markers that will indicate it is time for us to leave. Lastly, we need to stop just talking about alternative energy and to start trying different options.

Why do you think Joe the Plumber is discussed so frequently?

He put a face on the small business owners that are getting taxed and legislated to death. I feel that the health of small business is the canary in the coal mine. They are a good indicator of our overall economy. Joe the Plumber hopefully made politicians realize that the numbers they spout have a human impact.

Which are some of the issues you agree with the candidate you are most likely vote? What are some you disagree with?

Well I’m most likely to vote for McCain. The areas I generally agree with him are on the economy and health care. He wants to give tax incentives to companies that invest in technology and make it more affordable for companies to operate in the US. I believe Fair Trade is good for foreign nations and for us. It helps us to forge positive relationships and may slow immigration. I also like the idea of a portable health plan with a rebate incentive.
I am concerned about his persistence about Iraq and his stance on abortion. I wonder if he will drag his heels on Iraq because of his military background. I mean everyone likes to focus on their area of expertise. While we are in Iraq he can look like a war hero again. I disagree with his stance on abortion, we need to increase family values, encourage families in America and make it easier for a woman to carry to term. To do this services need to be put in place to support mothers and children rather than make decisions for her.

What are some of the topics you would like to be discussed more by the candidates?

I don’t want more discussion of issues, but more in depth discussion, to see if they know how their going to get it done. The candidates always talk about what their going to do but never how their going to do it.

What are some of the changes you would like to see in America after the election?

I would to see campaign reforms before the next election, so it doesn’t come down to who has the most money wins. So I would like to see maximum amounts be placed on how much money a candidate can use, because this has been the most expensive election ever and if there is a cap on the money than maybe they’ll stop running negative ads.
I would like to see stability in the economy, because like I said before because it’s so far reaching and affects every one. Another thing I would like to see is Cooperate America and private entrepreneurs to focus on alternate energy sources, hope fully it would help stabilize our economy.

During the interview I got the feeling her opinions were solidified and informed. I also got the feeling that she wants American self-sufficiency and that this come about through alternate energy sources, small businesses and getting America out of Iraq. Like most people she forms her opinion through information received through TV, the internet, reading and from people. Her stance on the government is that it doesn’t have all the answers. She told me she feels this way because she thinks that America does better if the government doesn’t get too involved in social issues. This idea comes from her experiences with failed government programs.

Obama Collage

The Democratic Party hopes to fix Wall Street, halt racism, reverse the trend of global warming, prevent home foreclosures and access healthcare for everyone. My collage shows a sign reading “Wall St.” and a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. The mistakes of Wall Street have created an economic recession that affects everyone and voters want the recession to end, also Obama has been compared to Martin Luther King Jr. because he has been working to eradicate racism. The other pictures in my collage are of a melting earth, a home with a foreclosure sign in the yard and the “Staff of Asclepius”. The melting earth represents what the earth could become if global warming continues, the home with the foreclosure sign represents what is happening to America due to the recession and the “Staff of Asclepius” is symbol for healthcare which is falling apart. Obama interests are the people’s interests, because the people want someone running their country that will take care of all their problems.

McCain Collage

The interests of the Republican Party lie in continuing the war in Iraq to protect our country, taking care of our veterans and senior citizens, and fixing healthcare and the economy. On my collage is a picture of troops getting off a plane in Iraq and the seal of the National Security Agency. McCain wants to continue the war because if we pull out it could put our nation in danger and protecting our country comes first to the republicans. The other pictures on my collage are of a veteran, the seal of the Social Security Administration and of burning money. Being a veteran and a senior citizen, McCain’s interests would most likely lean toward helping those parties; also the declining economy is affecting everyone so McCain would focus on that. If McCain is elected president, we should expect a continuation of the war, vigilance toward national protection, more benefits for veterans and seniors and an attempt to fix the economy and healthcare.

New Jersey Polling Results

Why I Picked New Jersey

I chose to study the polls from New Jersey because that is where my parents are from and New Jersey is a diverse, highly populated state. My parents were both born in New Jersey and I wanted to see if their choice is a result of their geographic background. Either way the polls turn out will support and disprove the NJ influence because they are both voting for different candidates. I asked Mr. Ritter about New Jersey and he said it isn’t a swing state, but it still an important state because of its diversity. A diverse population makes New Jersey a difficult state to call in this election, despite their consistent Democratic presidential candidate vote. My reasons for picking the state were to try to get some insight into my parent’s political leanings and the insightful information Mr. Ritter has provided.

My Findings

Using a line of linear regression I can predict that Obama will win New Jersey with 53.0784 or 53% of the vote and McCain will have 43.8388 or 44% of the vote. My “r” is 0.8281 and my “r2” is 0.6857 for Obama, for McCain my “r” is 0.4384 and my “r2” is 0.6857. My data will probably hold true due to New Jersey hasn’t voted for a Republican president in twenty years. New Jersey itself doesn’t hold much importance to the election, but it could be an indicator of how the rest of the northeast area will vote, which is very important to the election. The line of linear regression is a good tool especially when you can measure its percent error in “r” and “r2”. The percent of my line of best fit is very low so from that I know I have a prediction very close to what will actually happen. The line of best fit is a good predictor but things can change in election so I’ll just have to wait until November fourth to see if my data is correct.