John McCain Vs. Barack Obama

Disclaimer: This commentary is intended to be and opinion/editorial piece and is not intended to endorse either candidate in this election. These views are that of theengineer and theengineer only.

Every election year Americans are faced with enormous decisions to make. Who will be the best for the economy, small businesses, education, health care, defense? This list could go on and on, but I choose to truncate it here because these are probably the biggest issues that are being discussed at the present time. Each candidate has their own strengths, weaknesses and views. Many times these views are as different as night and day, however sometimes there is a middle ground upon both candidates can and do stand. These agreements are few and far between, much like the similarities between the two candidates.

There is very little that can connect the Democratic and Republican nominees this elections. On one hand you have the first African-American presidential candidate, Barack Obama. He reminds me of JFK, a young influential man who knows how to speak eloquently and energize a generation that has long been seen as the downfall of America. On the other side, there is the elder statesman, John McCain. War hero, and a man who has spent quite some time in various political offices. The differences between these two men are many, yet there is one similarity that both share, lying.

Now, before you start ranting on the fact that I just called your candidate, whomever it might be, a liar hear me out. Every speech is laced with numbers, accusations, twisted references and mud-slinging that has defined American politics for many years now. If your candidate is not lying, then why do news agencies employ fact checkers? It is so they can bring the lies to the attention of the American public. After every debate, fact checkers come out and let us know what the numbers really are, and if the candidate has manipulated the facts to appeal to the voters. Please, please if you watch the debates take a few extra moments and listen to the analysis afterwards. The numbers that sounded so appealing just moments before, might now leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

Enough with the numbers, many of them are so large that I can't fathom them anyway. On to the promises that the candidates make. The promises to lower taxes, to fund health care, to fix the economy, to do this and to do that. You could literally take up pages and pages with the things that the candidates are going to do over the next four years. It would be mind boggling enough if they could get one of these things done with the time period that Congress normally acts. Oh yeah, Congress. Those 435 men and women in the House of Representatives and the other 100 people in the Senate. What is it they do again? The pass bills, laws, etc. The terminology isn't important, however it is the generalization of what they do that is important. If you had a government or civics class in high school, you might remember some of this, but the President is only one part of lowering your taxes, fixing the economy, etc. There are three branches of government, each of which has to have a majority agree that the idea is a good one for the American people. Why do you think it takes so long to get something don in government. You have to convince a bunch of bureaucrats that your idea is a good one. You are probably wondering where this is going, so I'll just get to it. Every promise these candidates make to you, no matter what it is, must be approved by the majority of the House, Senate and the Supreme Court must verify it's legality. This is called Checks and Balances and prevents one person from having the power to do all of this without some accountability. In other words, the candidates can't do everything they tell you that they are going to do. They can TRY and do these things, but without Congressional approval all these promises are empty.

In conclusion, don't just vote for the person with the best tax plan, fix for health care, or insurance quick fix. Vote for the person who you believe can lead this country in the right direction. Vote for the person who can work with others, Democrats and Republicans, to get things done. Probably the most important thing you can do on November 5th is just vote. This could be a turning point in American history, and if you have an opinion voice it. Make best the opportunity you have to make a difference and that goes for local elections too. JUST VOTE!

This message is not approved by John McCain or Barack Obama.