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If you're like me, this year will be the first year I will be able to vote in a presidential election. It is exciting to see who I want to lead the country for the next four years.
I can't say that everyone feels this way, though. I've talked to some of my friends, and many of them couldn't tell me the issues being discussed or even who some of the candidates are.
Let's face it, whether you like it or not, a Democrat or Republican is going to be elected as president. We, as American citizens, get to choose which two will go on. You can have a say by voting in the Wisconsin presidential primaries.
By the time the Wisconsin presidential primaries role around on Feb. 19 both parties usually have a clear-cut leader and our votes don't really seem to matter. This year your vote can make a difference, and that is the best part of the process. We have roughly a week until the primaries, and this is your chance to be heard. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been pretty nasty to each other as the campaign has progressed. Most liberals don't seem to care though; they are just happy that their party has two strong candidates.
It's too bad they spend all their time bashing each other when they should be focusing on combating the Republicans. However, occasionally they do talk about hot-button issues like health care and, of course, taxes.
Obama's plan for health care would involve making a national health plan available to all Americans. He envisions giving all Americans plans similar to the one he receives as a member of Congress. Sounds great on paper, but let's continue. Historically, most Democrats raise taxes while in office. Obama is going to have to continue this if he wants to create that kind of health care for the American public.
Now don't get me wrong. If he can give America national health care, I'll be very impressed. He'll have to come through with his promise to end wasteful government spending first. He pushes for change, but I'm not sure if it is possible. Let's face it; most members of Congress are more worried about keeping their jobs than pushing for change, which could make it a tough go for Obama.
The verdict? If Obama can unite Congress to cut away with wasteful government spending, he could be the best candidate. But can he really do it? And if he can't, how much are his programs going to cost us?
As Obama's top competitor, Clinton has been making great use of her husband's political connections to make headway in the Democratic Party. She'd probably be better off without him though. Bill Clinton needs to stop protecting Hillary from her opponents and sit back and let her do it herself. The country doesn't want a president who can't stand on her own two feet. This is Hillary's campaign, not yours Bill.
Clinton hits on many of the same issues but with a slightly different angle. She also plans to give Americans affordable health care. Unlike Obama's plan that would work to lower costs for every American, Clinton would provide health care to those who can't afford it via tax dollars. As of today, 47 million Americans are without health care. I'm guessing many of them don't have it because they can't afford it. That's a lot of tax dollars. She's going to have to cut a lot of spending to pay for that, a fight that will be even harder for the less charismatic Clinton.
The verdict? Once again, if Clinton can cut costs at the federal level, her plans may be viable. I see this as being very, very difficult. With the cost of the plans she wants to implement, one can only wonder how this will trickle back or pour onto taxpayers.
I encourage you, my fellow students, to really look at what the candidates are saying and not just take my word for it.
Don't forget to register to vote at Rockthevote.com, or in your hometown. It is necessary if you wish to vote in the Wisconsin presidential primary on Feb. 19.
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