Chinese Food and the VP Debates

 Before the vice presidential debate began last night, my girlfriend and I hit our favorite Chinese food restaurant, ran into the local quick mart for a couple sodas, and then curled up on the couch to watch the much awaited debate.  I could hardly wait to hear Palin speak live on national television after reading all of the media reports about Palin’s interview blunders.   

As the debate got under way, both VP candidates came out swinging.  Palin was attacking both Biden and Obama’s voting records on taxes and the Iraq war, while Biden was throwing punches right back, attacking the current presidential cabinet’s failure of economic policies over the last eight years, and Palin’s “Drill, Baby Drill” oil policy.

 

As expected, there was plenty of finger pointing, and stretches of the truth from both sides.  The biggest surprise of the night, however, was not from either candidate’s accusations towards one another, but rather in Palin’s ability to debate.  She didn’t have any major blunders; she spoke from the heart on the issues of every day American lives, and I believe she told the truth about how she felt towards issues currently affecting <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />America.  John McCain, who I know was sitting in his hotel room chewing his finger nails to the bone, had to be proud of his nominee.  I have been riding the fence on this presidential campaign so far, and I watched last night’s debate with an open mind. 

 

There are three topics that are extremely important to me in this year’s election:

 

1.  The Iraq War – Simply put, what the hell?  The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center came from Al Qaida, not Sadam Hussain.  It’s time that the Iraqi government takes over their own security, get our troops out of there, and go after Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Al Qaida will hit the U.S. again, along with other countries around the world.  They are the threat, not Iraq.

 

2.  The Economy – This is pretty simple.  The Banks and Wall Street got themselves into the mess they are in through greed.  Banks targeted people without the means to pay their loans with, and when they defaulted on their loans, they ask the government to bail them out.  I say bail the homeowners out with the 700 billion dollars, and let the irresponsible banks go under.  Why give the money to the people who caused the problem, and who will eventually profit off the 700 billion given to them?  That can’t be said without saying this – American’s need to stop living beyond their means.  Buy what you can afford, save some money and quit buying on credit!

 

3.  The Environment – This is pretty simple as well.  It comes down to greed.  There are a lot of politicians; the Bush’s to name a couple, who have their hands in the oil industry.  Why invest in new energies while making millions in oil?  I am the first to agree that we need to cut the oil dependency with the Middle East and Venezuela.  Instead of spending billions to drill for new oil here, invest the money into clean, non-polluting solar, hydrogen and wind energy.  We already know they work, and there is plenty of money to be made in those industries, while keeping the money in the United States.  Another thing about oil – how is it that a company like Exxon can go into a state, drill the oil out from under our feet and produce billions of dollars in profits for themselves?  I think that oil, which is a natural resource and used by nearly ever person in one form or another, should be owned by the people of America, not a few private companies.  The United States as a country should drill the oil, use the billions of dollars in profits to pay off our debts, fund the health care system, and cut taxes to our people.  A simple idea. 

 

I think it’s time for America to start living a little smaller, and become responsible citizens again.  We need to stop blaming the government for our own problems and take responsibility for our own actions.  Cut up our credit cards, and put those interest rate dollars back into our own pocket instead of some CEOs. 

 

After last night’s debate I am no longer riding the fence, but will vote for the team who will best handle my concerns. 

 

November is right around the corner folks.  Get out there and vote, and let’s get America back on its feet!