iCitizenForum by Colonial Williamsburg

It’s interesting to me to see the differences and similarities of voting today and voting in colonial times. Read Ed Crews’ article Voting in Early America for an understanding of a democratic nation.

From media reports, it looks like there are a bunch of undecided voters. I’m curious what people think about the TV debates between McCain and Obama. Does watching a debate help make up the “undecided” mind?

What experience did Lincoln have?

Watching the vice presidential candidates debate last night gave me a better feeling about both candidates, but it didn’t change my vote. I feel better knowing that Sarah Palin can memorize short phrases; I just wish she could string them together in a thoughtful response. Joe Biden held his frequently long-winded tongue and came out on top. He still has my vote.

The Sept. 26 presidential candidates debate should go on! McCain’s recommendation that the debate be canceled is his attempt to avoid addressing the issues with Obama. Don’t bring the upcoming presidential politics into Washington’s review of the bailout. Let the lawmakers fix the financial fiasco and let the American public hear what the candidates have to say on Friday’s scheduled debate.

The question, ‘Are the candidates addressing your issues?’ intrigues me. My issues in life are basic and familiar to the mass populous. I deal with the lack of money, lack of sleep, lack of time and the constant society induced stresses to meet certain standards to prove myself a worthwhile person. Sometimes I think I have it pretty rough. Luckily, I remember I don’t have it rough – not at all. I have food in the pantry, gas in my car, and I working on a degree. I may have to squeeze each penny until the end of the month but I manage. Other peoples in the world can not say that about their pocket change. Whoever becomes our nation’s leader needs to take a look at the global picture and quit staring inward. The global economy is suffering but honestly, I don’t have any brilliant solution to offer other than simply, “Spread the love.” Why not take what we have, spread it around, and see how far our money can stretch. To see how far and wide our influence can become. This would take more than just dumping money into countries. This would take a little action. So when a candidate demonstrates a national and global attitude of sharing and action, I will find my candidate.

From any of the respondents here…can any of you address the economy and how Democrats and Republicans plan to end the economic slump?

This election does seem to be getting more attention than usual, but I think a big part of that, at least on college campuses, is because some of us are voting for the first time. What the candidates have to say, what changes they promise and what character they demonstrate matter more to us than previous elections because we have a decision to make in November. This maturing generation is starting to take on more responsibility and not just the responsibility to vote to decide the next president. We are becoming financially independent and making choices that will determine our futures, so naturally the state of the economy, the future of the war in Iraq and the future of the American health care system matters more now. Younger students who can’t vote, though they may care about how high gas prices are or how poorly the dollar compares to other currency, might not follow the election very closely because it doesn’t offer an opportunity to them to voice their opinion through casting a vote. The new voters in this election seem excited for their first opportunity to speak up through choosing a leader for our country. They are a demographic that will carry weight in November.

It seems to me that in this election some people seem more interested and involved than ever before, especially young people. Everywhere I look it seems like my peers are waving the political banner with pride. On the other hand, others are not so excited. Many young people I know say they are sick of politics and tired of the election. It seems like the youth vote will be a big factor because they realize that many issues affect them. Many aspects have affected my choice of candidate, including the economy and health care. These are difficult times, and as a college student I wonder about what the future has in store for me financially. Other aspects have also affected my choice, including social issues. As a Christian I look for someone who holds similar beliefs on issues like abortion. As for the two-party system, I have come to question its effectiveness. I find that even though I may align with a certain party on one issue, I do not feel the same about all issues. That makes it difficult to know if I’m making the right decision. For me social issues are the biggest factor. At the end of the day I want a candidate who will stand by his word and do the right thing for Americans, not the politically correct thing.

The 2008 presidential election. One for the history books, right? Well, if you listen to the media hype that it’s receiving than you would certainly bill it that way. As far as I’m concerned though, it’s the same old hollow promises that we as Americans have been spoon fed from birth. Sure the candidates might look and sound different than ever before but they speak the same language as our past winners and losers. Barack Obama has backed his entire campaign on the concept that he can change America. John McCain claims that he can change a corrupt Washington. The truth is, whoever gets elected, will never live up to their fanciful rhetoric being displayed at their respective conventions. Now, with all that being said, maybe the winner of this election will change America, but what is change? What if I happen to like the old America, the way it is now? What if I don’t want change Barack? What if change is not what America needs John? Instead of trying to change America and its people, which will ultimately lead to more partisanship and a greater divide, why not try to come to a mutual agreement among parties and strive for a better America? The only change I need is in my wallet.

Every issue, from the war in Iraq to healthcare, in this election is important, and that’s the problem. People are trying to base their vote on one issue. There is so much going on with the country that in order to comprehend all of it you have to be a full-time news anchor for CNN to know what the hell is going on. So most people just turn on the tube and take what the broadcasters are saying as the truth. That’s not always the case. A person shouldn’t base their vote on where a candidate stands on one particular issue, that’s just crazy. There are too many people looking at Sen. Obama and saying, ‘Oh no! He’s black. I can’t vote for a black guy’ and other people are saying, ‘Oh no! McCain is just another old white guy. I can’t vote for him’. People need to look past the petty issues (i.e. Gov. Palin’s pregnant 17-year-old daughter) and take a hard look at where the candidates stand on every issue. Don’t just turn on CNN and take their word for it. Spend some time on a Saturday or a Sunday and find out what the hell the two people who are going to run our country are saying about how they are going to run it.

I’m not going to lie; I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to anything remotely political. However, I do feel that this upcoming election is going to be one of the more important ones. Economic issues are my biggest concerns. I am graduating in May and I have a massive student loan to pay back. On top of that I have to buy a new car, and photo gear of my own. The economy isn’t doing so hot right now. Minimum wage isn’t even close to keeping up with rising prices (food, gas, etc…). Finding a job where I can pay all of these expenses back and still try to stay afloat really worries me. And then there’s health insurance. Mine runs out the day I turn 24, which is only a week after a graduate. I know I am not the only with these same concerns. I’m interest to see who will be our next leader and how they will help the American people with these issues. I do have a problem, however, with McCain choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate because of her lack of experience. I though it was very convenient of McCain to announce his choice during the hurricane Gustav hype (which was probably never going to land as a Cat 4 in the first place).

I have been intrigued by this election the last couple weeks. It seems like everyday creates a new, interesting storyline and something that will make this election a memorable one, as if the candidates haven’t already made the election interesting. It is difficult to remember an election as big as this one, from Obama’s monster speech at Invesco Field in Denver to McCain’s monster announcement the next day of his Vice President choice in Sarah Palin. And then to top that off, the news that Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. Each day has presented a new challenge and choice to the voters. When it seems you can settle on one candidate there is something you learn that makes you question your decision. How many more questions can we get answered between now and election day. How will the new president respond to the crisis the dollar is in as well as gas prices. America seems to really be taking notice to the events that are shaping their lives and in turn doing their best to make the most educated decision for president despite the hurdles the candidates seem to present in their campaigns.

Last year, because of a recommendation from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, doctors began offering prenatal testing for Down syndrome to pregnant women of all ages, before the test was only offered to women older than 35. Ninety percent of women whose babies are diagnosed with Down syndrome choose to have abortions, according to the New York Times. But Palin wasn’t one of those women. She was told, while pregnant, that her son would have Down syndrome. He’s now four and a half months old.

Instead of focusing on Palin’s stance on sex education in relation to her daughter’s pregnancy, voters should think about her pro- life stance and her decision to deal with her son’s diagnosis. It takes a brave woman and a strong family to raise a child with Down syndrome. I know, because my mom is one of those women. My 15-year-old brother has Down syndrome. My family fights numerous battles for him, but even if we had the choice, we wouldn’t change him.

Anyone who has been touched by someone with Down syndrome would passionately argue that the women who got rid of their child with Down syndrome made a serious mistake. The thousands of people in the Down syndrome community will consider Palin’s bravery and the possibility of stopping those unnecessary abortions when they vote.

I feel that voters are more interested than ever in this year’s presidential election. There are many changes taking place at this time in our history and more and more people are taking a stance. I believe that mothers and young adults are actually listening to the issues and making their decision based on what they believe. College students are paying more attention than ever to the issues, such as gas prices and social security. These problems are going to affect them more than anyone else. The falling economy has a immense impact on who I decide to choose as our next president. Our economy is struggling right now and we have to elect someone who is going to turn that around. We cannot continue to live in a world where no one can find jobs or even pay for everyday matters such as gas. I believe that the war in Iraq should be ended as soon as possible. This also plays a major role in who I will choose to vote for in this years 2008 election. I believe in free health care for Americans. All citizens of the United States should be treated to free health care no matter what social class they belong in.

I believe that people are worried about this election for several reasons. With a troubled economy and a war that we have been fighting for many years now, people are ready for a change. Gas prices are unbelievably high and the person with the most feasible plan, which can be presented to America in the best way, will have the upper hand in the election. I was worried that the presidential race would turn into people being excited about the opportunity to vote for a woman or an African American. Now they have an option for both. This election will come down to actual ideas and beliefs. It is actually becoming popular to vote among college students now. We spend our entire lives wanting to be heard. Now we have the opportunity to be a huge determining factor in what is probably the most important election ever. I don’t think that the two-party system is as important now as it used to be. There are more people who are willing to listen to both sides of arguments. The more in the middle a candidate is, the larger following they will have. I personally agree with both candidates on different topics, so I think that the gas and economy issues will be the major factors for me.

Sen. McCain’s choice generated a lot of “spin” from his party backers and TV talking heads. But all that spin belies the fact that he chose a one-term governor of Alaska who lacks any kind of background suitable for service as president. I am not endorsing the Obama-Biden ticket. I am just stating the obvious. This is an odd choice and clearly a vote-hunting device, not one based on the need to consider succession when choosing a running mate. This election clearly should not be a “single-issue” choice for voters, and gender or race are not issues at all. McCain’s choice is pandering.

John McCain’s vice president pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin puts a new spin on the race, doesn’t it?

I don’t see democracy as mob rule. Why would a republic protect individual rights any better than democracy? My vote counts, so I can use my vote as my voice to the government.