Ever since I started paying attention to this past presidential race, I have done the math about when I’ll be able to vote about a billion times. I’ll tell you now!! So I’m fourteen, and the election just happened which means I’ll be eighteen for the next election. Which means I’ll be able to vote, and I’ll just barely be of age because my birthday is in July. I think that it is so exciting, in fact it’s exhilarating. In four years, I could make as big a difference in the polls as voters did in this election!!! I’ll be able to go into those big booths and vote just like my parents and other adults I know. I can hardly wait.
This election has really opened me up to how important voting and all that is really important. Before this election, I didn’t particularly pay attention to who was the president (even though I knew who he was of course) and what was going on in the world. Now I do and it is really all because of this election. What I have noticed is that a lot of people in my class have been talking about what has happened during the campaign, who is president and just politics in general like why the economy is in shambles. I remember one day, I was on the bus and all these guys were literally screaming at each other about why the economy was in such a wreck. And when I say screaming, I mean it. And it was the whole 30 minute bus ride too. Although listening through the howls, what they were saying was true and I could see why they were debating. This election has raised awareness about the world, politics in general and the importance of voting. There are about 900ish people in my school and when we all vote eventually, that will be 900ish more than there was.
Btw (for those of you that don’t know what that means, it means by the way) I am very sorry that I have not blogged in a really really long time. I am ashamed of it, and I feel like I have let the people who support me down. It was wrong of me to accept money towards my trip to Washington D.C. (see the About page) and then pretty much stop blogging. Please accept my apologies even though that might not be enough. I truly am sorry.
It is currently two days after Barack Obama has been elected president. And all I can say is thank god for that. I feel as if this is the second chance America has at a golden age, an age to unite and progress in the world. And maybe gain the respect of the other countries in this world once more…
My mom said that when she knew that Barack Obama won, she felt a huge sense of relief. Her friend said she felt like dancing. Having this illustrious man as our next president is something that has united all of America, through the elections and now, when we watch the world through hopeful eyes. I was watching CNN on Election Day because I had no school and they showed live clips of a HUMONGOUS crowd of people on a field in Chicago, watching the CNN cameras to see who had won the election. It is the first time in history this has happened. And for good reason too!!!!!! For the obvious reason that this is the first African-American president. Barack Obama is a good first as well because of who he is. I think he will change people’s perspectives of African-Americans around America. I mean, how can he not?? He is the freaking PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!!! I wish him luck because he will have a hard job of it, because being president is naturally a difficult job (his hair is already turning a wee bit gray if you ask me and he isn’t even officially president yet) and because Barack Obama has so many expectations put upon his shoulders. And I think that he will do a fabulous job of it!
PS if you want to see a very moving part of Barack Obama’s speech, go to youtube and type in 106 year old Obama Supporter– it’s part of President Obama’s (i like writing that) speech so you may have seen it, but watch it again, you won’t be disappointed!!!
I know the title sounds like a reality show, like the Search for the Next Elle Woods, but what I’m really talking about is the search for the vice presidents. This is a very serious matter and the nation holds their breath as both Obama and McCain progress in their looking. Obama has hired Caroline Kennedy, Eric Holder (former deputy attorney general), and Jim Johnson (searched for VPs for Walter Mondale and John Kerry). One of the big questions is: “Will Obama have Hillary for vice president?” There are many opinions going around about this so I intend to add mine… Because of the person Barack Obama seems to be, I think that he might, if only to get the votes that Hillary held. However, if I was him, there would be no way I would choose her. For one, I would not want to bring all the bad press and controversial speeches she has given to my campaign. That way it might get ruined. If I was Obama I would rather have Hillary try to do all the harm she could to me and weather it through with a trustworthy, America-worthy vice president. And if Obama did in fact choose Clinton (i’m hoping he won’t) and make it to being president, it would hurt his career as president. That is because Hillary Clinton might try to ruin his time up there, if the past has been any indicator of her feelings towards him. All I am hoping is that Obama AND McCain make the right decision in who their vice president will be. Because that is an extremely important choice, and whoever it is could either help make or break your campaign.
Yes, it is time for my first ever political book review. The book in question is Schlepper! by Iris Burnett. My first thing to say is: This is an AMAZING BOOK!!! You have to read it. This is a fictional book that is based on the author’s own experience with little twists and turns. It is about a Jewish woman named Saide who has a huge family that is with her every step of the way. She leaves her failing marriage to join the rollercoaster political campaign for a new president and then comes the fun. With absolutely no experience whatsoever, Sadie rises from the position of lowest schlepper to a VERY high ranking official. This book is hilarious and not only that but gives a new impression about what really goes into a presidental campaign. I had no idea actually, how much work did go into it. Let me tell you… it is enormous. With funny phrases, interesting facts and great characters, Iris Burnett has not only carved herself a place in politics but a place in literature. It made me want to go into politics because it seemed fun and rewarding, although if you are someone involved in politics and are reading this, you are probably laughing at how wrong I am. Perhaps. Bottom line… GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Iris Burnett also has another recently published book out… It is called ” So You Think You Can Be President”. As you can tell from the title, it is a question and answer book that should help you decide if you, in fact, could be president.
Did you know that by humans continuing to eat beef, we contribute so much more to the current state of the environment? This is because when the cows that are raised for beef fart, they emit almost as much carbon dioxide as a CAR!! That is pretty hilarious but also shocking when you think about it. Beef, which so many people love (although I could live without it) contributes a ton to how horrible the environment is right now. I think that is pretty weird. Just by cutting down on beef consumption, we could help protect our environment. I think it is a crazy funny fact.
Did you know that Brazil is the only country where they don’t have to import oil? Years ago, when there was a gas scare, their government planted ACRES AND ACRES AND ACRES of sugarcane. They then figured out how to make oil from the sugarcane and used in daily life, like at gas stations. Now all their gas stations have the sugarcane oil and gas. Chrysler makes cars where it can switch from this sugarcane oil to the gas. This was a very smart way of Brazil to solve their gas problem, and I think that it would be well for the rest of the world to follow suit, especially America, who is one of the largest villan in destroying the environment. And it seems dumb that we haven’t tried to find other ways to create energy/gas/oil (the three biggest argument starting words in politics, besides the war). I wish that I could make people do something about it, people that run our country now, or will in the near future.
I have one more INTERESTING fact… Did you know that China has begun expanding into Africa and taking over some places to use the natural resources that Africa contains? No one else has used their natural resources yet, and they are positively overflowing with them. They have numerous forests, tons of minerals and much more. And the Africans say that the Chinese treat them as equals, unlike the Westerners who still treat them like slaves. I find this very intriguing… What does that say about our world today? And is China going to dominate the economic world soon? If that’s true, I probably should have listened to my mother and taken Chinese in high school.
First of all I would like to apologize for not blogging lately… I was on an amazing trip to Washington DC with my school. We saw many things, but one that I remember the most was the tour we had of the Capitol. It was fabulous in all aspects imaginable. The architecture was lovely and with the unfinished murals upon the walls for the future of America, it was fun to imagine what might actually fill them. I was actually very lucky because a chaperone of mine chose a group of four boys (all of whom were very politically with it) and my room, a group of four girls for a Q and A with the other Illinois senator, Dick Durbin. It was quite interesting and informative, with questions about gas prices, humble thanks for support from this senator and an offering by a UK organization for a visit to England to observe their healthcare system once our president was chosen. I actually couldn’t figure out if that was a snub or an actual offering of kindness. After that my tiny group got a private tour from two of Barack Obama’s aides. We even got to go underground from one building to the next. I think that the most wondrous thing about the Capitol is the atmosphere. It is charged with importance and even the most lowly of assistants have an air of importance as they walk, no march, around in suits as if they always have somewhere to go. You never know who you might see striding from place to place. The Capitol seems quite imposing, but once inside, you can tell it is just a HUGE office building where some of the highest officials happen to work. Everyone is trying to get something done. I would absolutely love to be there when something important is happening, or just on a regular day. It would be a lifetime opportunity to work there. I hope I can return there to see the Inauguration of the 44th president in January.
You’re driving along… $3.95, $3.97, $4.03, etc. Gas prices are skyrocketing and when I watch my mom fill up the tank, it costs close to 60 bucks for one trip to the gas station. I don’t know about you, but that is a lot of money for gas, which is an everyday necessity in the world we live in today. So, John McCain and Hillary Clinton have supported the idea that the gas prices should be cut during the summer months when everyone is buzzing to and fro. But Clinton added that she would tax windfall profits of oil companies so that the gas tax money would not be lost completely. Obama didn’t agree with it and said it was a short term solution. He opted for alternative energy sources and a cutback on oil consumption (like we’re eating it, but at the rate we’re using it, we might as well be having it three meals a day).
Here’s what I think… I might not be the one to pay for the gas, but I definitely hear about it, from parents and teachers, and friends. It seems like a mini break in the summer would be worse that continuing to pay for the gas throughout that time. Most people take time off during the summer, which adds up to less money during that time as well. Add that to not paying for gas, once you return to that harsh reality, it seems like it would be a lot harder to pay for gas. This is because the money you once used for gas, you are spending on other things and therefore once you go back to paying for the gas, it draws from other expenses. So all in all, it doesn’t seem like a very balanced idea. I’d rather keep paying, but that’s coming from someone who doesn’t pay. Another point that Barack Obama mentioned was that in order to change, we have to change Washington. Washington is the core, the heart of our government and that is where the change will start, and slowly spread. That is a gigantic reason that I want to go to the Presidential Inauguration in January, because I want to see if Washington has been changed, will be changed, or hasn’t changed yet.
Although in past primaries, Clinton or Obama has had the leg up, a slight advantage, in the Indiana primary, they begin on equal footing (or so people say). In the two counties where over 25% of the vote comes from (Marion County and Lake County) there are large African-American populations, which is good for Obama. These two counties house Indianapolis and Gary. Not only that, but the north of Indiana considers themselves part of Chicago and have been watching Obama and his growth as politician. I’m thinking to myself… What’s left for Clinton?? Well, even if she won all the other counties, she could still lose because of how big these two ones are. Whatever this data seems to say, I think that it is never certain who will win a primary. What you thought would happen could flip itself around, leaving you feeling as if you’ve been hit by a 50 ton truck. For example, recently I came in second place for a writing competition, The Dupont Challenge. I had no expectations that I wuold win anything and lo and behold… I won second place!! If that will happen with this primary, I have no idea. All I have to say is let the best person win.
When he was asked if he would place Al Gore on his cabinet, Barack Obama answered wisely with a yes. Al Gore would be a fantastic asset to one’s cabinet, and if you question that, just look at all the things he has accomplished. I think it is just fabulous that he is trying to save our environment, and he’s trying to spread it too. It’s something that everyone should be making an effort to do. I think that if Al Gore had become president he would not have been able to do all that he does now with the environment and all. Because, honestly, when you’re president, who has time for stuff like that since you have to run the whole country first? The remark that Barack Obama has already been talking to Al Gore is very impressive because that shows that Barack Obama is already moving in high circles. Which is good for his career of course. I wonder if the other candidates would put Al Gore in their cabinet… Hillary probably wouldn’t. I think it’s exciting picking your cabinet because you are the one deciding who the influential people in your administration would be. Basically who keeps the country running alongside yourself as president. All in all, Al Gore would be very helpful on Barack Obama’s cabinet, if Obama becomes president. I guess you could say Al Gore would be a convenient someone.