November 2008 - At 20 years of age, I made my first ever vote for a President: Barack Obama. Four years later, I voted him in for a second term. My rationale was that - aside from the fact that his opponents didnt strike me as the brightest and most organized (especially in the 2012 election) - I felt that he really was a welcome break from politics as usual. He put such an emphasis on fairness and helping the less fortunate. In the wake of conservatives who werent able to justify in plain English WHY they were okay with millions in tax breaks for huge corporations and the wealthiest Americans, I imagined he would be a breath of fresh air on a stale system. Indeed, something did get accomplished during his leadership that I feel is good for the country: healthcare reform. The new healthcare system does cost all of us more in some ways, but it also ensures that people who otherwise wouldnt receive coverage - whether because of pre-existing conditions or lack of income - find it easier to receive coverage. When someone needs emergency care and cant pay for it, its a cost that eventually finds its way back to us all. When the cost of insurance increases and hours get cut at work, it is true that it may be a secondary result of the laws that were passed; but we also have to ask ourselves WHO ultimately made the decision to raise prices or cut hours, and to what end. The last I checked, most of the chief executives and directors of these big corporations arent exactly on their last leg digging for change in their desks or eating ravioli out of a can for dinner. But, between racial controversies and issues with immigration, things appear to be gradually changing. As time goes by, I see a Presidency that seems to focus less and less on personal responsibility and diligence. Instead, its focused on activism and pleasing select groups of people rather than applying a consistent set of rules and standards in a manner that respects equality and the spirit of our legislative system. Sometimes, I wonder whether my votes were the right decision.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 04:25:22 +0000
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