by
Benjamin R.
The Many Pressing Issues
Issues: Taxes, Environment, Energy, Economy
By becoming the 44th United States president, your name has already gone down in history among the greatest men who ever lived. However, it is up to you to decide if you will be remembered fondly as a great president or if you will not. The measure of your greatness will be determined by how well you deal with the many pressing issues that our country faces day in and day out. There are too many of these to address in anything short of a long report, so I will only address those issues which I believe to be most pressing on everyday life in America; ones that affect us even when we aren't thinking about them; issues that shape what it means to be an American citizen.
The first issue I am going to address is the economy. This is undoubtedly the most publicized topic in the electoral race, and is also the issue the candidates are giving the most attention to. Although some people might believe that it isn't the most important issue in the election, it is definitely an important topic. I think that a good way to solve this problem is for the government to invest money in American companies that are not outsourcing jobs, and to companies that are creating jobs in the U.S. This will bolster our economy by giving more jobs to the American people, while decreasing the unemployment rate. This money can then be reinvested into American companies and spent on American made goods. In this way, the money can circle through our economy, continuing to help us at each step of the process. The uses of the money the government invests will be strictly regulated, being used to solely make the company more efficient, allowing for a higher profit. This extra profit then must be reinvested into the company. The government will be using American companies as tools to raise American wealth. Also, eventually the U.S. can get the money back from the now prosperous companies. This way of reinvesting profits as a way to increase profit is a proven method. Andrew Carnegie used this method making his company, Carnegie Steel, one of the most prosperous that ever existed. This is a single example of an idea that could be used to help our waning economy. It could not be used alone, but, with others, I believe this plan could help our economy.
A recent campaign add for Senator Obama stated that tax breaks would be given to the middle class, and defined middle class as anybody earning less than $250,000 in a year. According to surveys, the average income needed for living in a middle-class area was $70,000 - $80,000. If America considers high middle class to be having about $150,000 free for spending every year, then the problem with the American economy isn't completely the fault of lack of government help and companies moving overseas. It might be partly because of our own desire for wealth as American citizens. Certainly there are people out there who are having trouble making ends meet in today's economy. But, for anybody making $200,000 a year who complains about not having enough money, I think the problem is American citizens being in the habit of living a life of constant consumerism. One of the main problems today is the American people being accustomed to having everything they want, and now that they can't get everything, they complain about money. To combat these problems, I think that people need to cut back on unnecessary spending, and be encouraged by the government instead to invest in American business, and to not complain that they aren't getting tax breaks when they are making $200,000 a year. Too help this we shouldn't give tax breaks to those in the high middle class, instead only giving taxes breaks to those families, for example, making less than $150,000 each year. This way we will get more money into the government system, but still we won't be destroying families that can't afford taxes.
Another major reason for economic problems is, on the most basic level, simply human greed. In the past, people saved money before making large purchases. But now, we can use credit cards to buy whatever we want. People then can't pay off their credit card bills, and soon end up deeply in debt from high interest rates. Shortly afterward they can't afford to pay the mortgage on their house, and they foreclose. Another reason for this is all the so called "great" deals you can get when making a large purchase. No money down. No interest for the first six months. People aren't having to pay money to begin with, so they are tricked into thinking it won't cost much overall. Unfortunately, this isn't true. All in all, people are buying things they just can't afford. Houses are being foreclosed, and debt is taking all of people's money away. The government has to now support these poorer people, who now also won't be paying as high of taxes to support the government. These people won't be investing much money into the economy, since they'll be using what money they do have to make ends meet. To help solve this problem, we must help people stay out of these bad situations in the first place. We should put strict regulations on credit card companies that make it more difficult for people to fall behind on their payments, which leaves them paying high interest rates. We should start systems that have people getting only houses that they can afford. If people are just helped in thinking ahead, the problem shouldn't be very hard to fix.
Another important issue in the presidential race is the environment. For the past couple of years, one of the major political subjects was global warming, especially after the movie An Inconvenient Truth. Even if economy will be the main issue in the eyes of many, most people, including me, will also demand that you take a course of action to do something about global warming. I believe the best course of action would be to increase our standards for pollution for transportation and industry, which in 2000 each accounted for about one third of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel sources in the United States, according to a report made by the U.S. Department of Energy in June 2001. If, through increases in fuel economy standards for vehicles and by higher regulations for factory emissions, we can decrease the amount of emissions of each by even 20% in the next few years, then the total emissions will drop by around 15%, which might not sound like much but actually represents a large amount of CO2, and a lot of pollution. Even if the united States alone can't stop the proposed issue of global warming, the problem is like a caged dog about to be set free. We make a move to stop this threat, or face stark consequences such as global climate change that would threaten species of animals and plants, and could change the way that our country must operate in other ways economically. For example, a change in climate could make it difficult for U.S. farmers to grow key agricultural exports, which could have a detrimental affect on the economy. Despite all these unimportant factors that must be factored into the equation, the most important reason for combating any threat to the environment, whether it be CO2 emissions or the proposed pipeline in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, the reason we must take care of the planet is for our own good. All pollution, whether it is in the air, in water, or on land, poses a threat to all organisms living in the area. One of the U.S.'s core democratic values is the common good. Isn't it our duty then, to protect our planet, for the good of the human race? If we don't keep the earth clean, nobody else will.
Energy is another important issue in the race. The world is on the verge of fossil fuels, which we have relied on for over a century, running out. We have to begin focusing our attention on alternative energy sources, but any changes like this are hard for people to deal with. They are expensive, and nobody likes to completely change the way things have been done for a long time. It is hard on corporations, who have to change what products they produce, and can put others out of business that won't make a profit with the new demands. Despite the initial economic hardship, changing our energy sources really won't be that difficult. Most of the technology needed to make the change already exists, it only needs to be improved. For example, a car that my parents bought in the mid-90's was, when new, getting 40 miles on each gallon of gas. But, today, most regular gasoline cars get much less than that. Also, many "green" energy sources already exist. All that is required is support for these technologies and government funding to help them become initiated into our energy systems. Fossil fuels will be gone soon. And when they are, it is imperative the U.S. has made moves toward different technologies. Failing that, energy will become so expensive, because of its rarity, tat many won't be able to afford it. People won't be able to drive their vehicles. There will be little electricity. People in colder states that heat with propane will have to find another way to stay warm. Maybe this would simply be another way to make the required change, but, compared to the options we have today, it is much more difficult. I think the U.S. should start by giving tax breaks to companies exploring ways to differ in energy production and consumption. I think that there should be strict regulations for MPG ratings on vehicles, forcing car companies to find ways to use gas in their vehicles more efficiently, or to explore entirely new energy sources. Also, tax breaks should be given to energy production companies that use alternative fuels. This will help to offset the cost of the more expensive means of supplying power. With high expectations and strict regulations, the U.S. should be able to break free from the binding grip of fossil fuels.
Throughout all of history, from ancient times to today, taxes have always represented an issue that causes a lot of controversy. In this country, it is one of the issues on which the two main parties have had very different views. In the most generalized sense, Democrats have been known for raising taxes while Republicans have vouched for lowering taxes. Today, it usually seems that while the Democrats usually wish to raise taxes for the rich and for large corporations and give tax breaks to the middle class, Republicans tend to give tax break to the wealthy and to large businesses. These views have also carried over into the 2008 presidential election. Instead of sticking to these party-line opinions, I think the best way for distributing taxes is to be as moderate as possible. Instead of raising or lowering taxes in certain areas, I think the best choice would be to give a standard tax rate percentage to everybody making, for example, over $100,000 each year. Under that amount of income, I think the tax rate should gradually lower in direct proportion to the income lowering. This is the most equal way to do taxes since who can easily afford taxes pays the same rate. Nobody can complain about the government taking advantage of their capitalizing on the "American dream," but also, people with lower incomes won't be harshly affected by high rates. However, there should be tax breaks given to those with very low incomes to help them survive on the money they have. I also think there should be limited tax breaks for companies creating jobs and expanding in the U.S. Small business owners also deserves tax breaks, since the businesses are not making gigantic profits, but are essential job creators.. Without distributing taxes wisely, terrible things can happen. If tax breaks aren't given to people in very difficult financial situations, those situations are just going to get worse and worse until everything comes crashing down upon the people involved. Being forgiving on taxes in those impoverished situations is necessary if those people are going to rebound back into the middle class. Also, tax breaks to expanding U.S. companies are necessary, since those are the companies that bring wealth to the economy and create jobs. Tax breaks not being given to small businesses can cause those small businesses to be unprofitable, and eventually go out of business. It is vital that these small businesses stay in business, since they are the main suppliers of economic wealth in smaller towns, such as the many small towns in my area. Taxes aren't such a touchy subject if you simply take the middle ground, and with a moderate viewpoint, both Republicans and Democrats should be fairly pleased.
As you can see, there are many issues on which your attention will be demanded. On each of these issues, there are many sides to the story, many reasons why the government should act in a certain way. You must continue to persevere through all the troubles you will face, for, like every other president in this great country's history, you will face difficult times in your four to eight years as president. But, integrity is shown not when everything is going perfectly. It is shown when the going gets rough, and you still have the strength to stick to what drives you and to do what is right. To measure up with our great leaders of days gone by, you will have to show your strength and inspire the American people in the hard times. Then, and only then, you will be revered beside men like George Washington and Abe Lincoln.