"Change" but is it better?

It is hard to believe that the picket signs, robocalls, and the rallies on television have come to an end. The 2008 election is finally over. Left in its wake is a new president. Our fate as a country lies in the hands of a newcomer to Washington. Barack Obama. Who you voted for, or who you rooted for, does not matter now. What is important now is knowing what the new president will affect in your life. If you support everything he proposes -- wonderful. If not, get involved, e-mail your Congress officials, send a letter to the White House, talk to the governor. Speak out and tell them your beliefs; politicians are your representatives -- they work for you. Here are some issues to consider:

●Barack Obama plans to make college affordable to all Americans by increasing Pell Grants and offering a $4000 annual credit to use towards college tuition in exchange for community service. That means you basically get a college fund by volunteering. Great plan. When will it start?

●Obama wants to cut taxes for working families. Those families will receive a tax credit up to $1000. Obama believes in “spreading the wealth” which is a great concept in theory. However, when doing that, you take money from people who oftentimes worked hard to make it to the top. The money is “spread” to the lower classes including those who are societal leeches. This sounds a bit like socialism.

●Obama plans to make healthcare insurance affordable for all Americans but still intends to use the same providers and doctors. Healthcare is an issue for everyone and I am glad Obama is addressing it. With the rising cost of living, doctor and hospital bills also increase. Many Americans have to choose between their electric bill or prescription drugs. President after president has promised they will follow through with an adequate health care plan; however, there has been no success yet. As skeptical as I am, I hope our new president can fulfill this promise.

●Obama supports a woman’s right to choose. Obama states as president he will continue to protect women’s rights under the Roe vs. Wade ruling, making abortion legal. Rape cases or the mother’s life being endangered is one thing, but Obama supports anyone who wants to get an abortion. There are other options such as birth control, condoms, the “morning-after” pill. Abortion should not be an everyday option.

●Obama has also made it clear that he never supported the war in Iraq. He still does not support the war and states that he will end the Iraq war within 16 months. However, he advocates America focusing on Bin Laden and al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Recap: Obama is against war. He wants the war in Iraq to end but supports a war in Afghanistan. Is that not a bit hypocritical?

It does not matter if you supported Barack Obama or not, he is our president. I believe that in his heart, Obama thinks he is the best person for presidency. Only time will tell if Barack Obama will bring about all this “change” we’ve heard so much about for the past two years.