Unless you’ve been living under a rock or in a cave for the past few months, you probably know that the 2012 presidential election is taking place on November 6. In fact, President Obama just spoke down the street from Ambrose at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds because Iowa is a political hotspot. Many collegiettes were even lucky enough to witness this historical moment (if you want information on this, check out this video shot by Ambrose student and former Campus Celebrity, Sam Peterlin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=K3ZCXcx2Mww).
And while we are all tired of seeing political ads bashing President Obama or Governor (of Massachusetts) Romney, it is important to take notice of what is happening in our country.
Why?
Mainly because no election will affect our futures as much as this one does.
Change is an inevitable fate for America in the next four years. Domestic policy and the economy have taken the spotlight in debates. The availability of jobs and the amount of taxes we will pay on our income are completely up in the air right now because the two candidates have such differing viewpoints. Small business owners and teachers in particular are two professions that have been in the hot seat in the past few weeks.
College students will be directly affected by this election because the cost of higher education, loans, and loan forgiveness are all subjects that have been covered in the recent presidential and vice presidential debates.
Healthcare is going to change forever, as well. Whether “Obamacare” gets the chance to take effect or if Romney gets an opportunity to put his plans into action, this area of society is going to be much different by the time we get into the workforce and especially when we near retirement age. Insurance, Medicare, and women’s health are all very controversial topics in this election.
Of course, these are just a couple of the focus areas that have been up for debate.
If you’re like me, though, you have watched the debates, read the newspapers, and done internet research and you still don’t know who to believe or what the best choice is. Because this is such an important time in our lives, I feel that it is vital that everyone be as informed as possible. In order to help with that, check out this website: http://www.isidewith.com/presidential-election-quiz
This is a comprehensive tool to figure out which candidates most closely align with your views. You can answer a few questions about what you believe, and the site determines how much you agree with each candidate. It lays out all the important topics and gives explanations about how you differ from or are similar to any candidate. Not only does this address the presidential election, but those at the state level as well. It is easy to understand and quick to take. If I have any advice for collegiettes regarding this election, it is to take this quiz!
I don’t claim to be any sort of political guru. In fact, I really don’t have much of an interest in politics at all. Until this fall, I didn’t think about how any of this business affected me. I still am not super educated, and I’m not here to preach or try to persuade you to vote one way or another.
All I am asking is that you educate yourself and just vote. I don’t care who you vote for or what your reasoning is. Just remember how much this election will change the lives of all of us, the current college kids who will graduate and be released to the real world during the term of the man elected president in 2012. It affects you!