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Irippuge Perera (Sean)
ENG 101
Prof. Tom Fink
The Decision in 2008
In the current U.S. Presidential race, there are two popular politicians from the
Democratic Party: Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of former president Bill Clinton, and Senator
Barack Obama, who has won more votes in more states. On the other hand, Senator John
McCain, of the Republican Party, is already selected as the candidate. Both Obama and McCain
address three major issues in the USA: two of them are mainly focused on U.S. education and
poverty, and the other is dealing with the most debated topic, the war in Iraq.
Recently, the education issue has become a larger dilemma from elementary to college
level. The “drop out rate” of young students is increasing every year; college tuition has become
“unaffordable” for students and “30% of new teachers leave within their first five years in the
profession” (Obama 08). According to On The Issues web site:
We have got to have a program of school construction all across the nation. After
school programs and summer school programs can make an enormous difference
in preventing dropout rates because a lot of times young people after they get out
of school have no place to do their homework. And that can make an enormous
difference. (Obama, “On The Issues”)
In other words, Obama plans to fund the building of new structures to reduce overcrowding in
schools and to introduce high quality “after-school programs and summer school programs” to
encourage students to stay in schools (Obama, “On The Issues”). He proposes to “help make
college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100” and
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providing “free public college for any student with a B-average” (Obama, “On The Issues).
Moreover, to make teachers more satisfied with their careers, this candidate has a strategy to give
higher salaries and more opportunities for “professional development.” Therefore, educators will
have the opportunity to participate in training programs to improve their careers.
Senator Obama has done a good job on campaigning on educational issues. He has
addressed three important educational issues and declared effective solutions to decrease young
students’ withdrawal rate, give financial assistance to low-income college students, and motivate
teachers to continue their careers (Obama, “On The Issues”). Due to the high tuition cost, college
students have to face many financial problems to reach their academic goals. Having the ability
to get $1,050 more as Pell Grant and gaining a free public education will make students more
able to continue their studies, and it will increase the attendance of young adults. In my
experience, this “Pell Grant” should also be also given to international students because they are
not allowed to work except on campus, and they have to struggle with financing their tuition.
Also, teaching has become an unpopular career because of its low salaries and lack of incentives.
Therefore, many dedicated and talented teachers leave their jobs. Obama’s plan to increase
salary scales and provide more career opportunities for advancement in this field is an
appropriate step to be implemented. Then many professional educators will continue their career.
Furthermore, many high school students do not have a place to do their homework after school,
and most schools are not open for students to continue their education during the summer
(Obama, “On The Issues”). Therefore, launching “after school programs and summer school
programs” make a considerable impact on students to persist in schools. This will allow them to
have a place where they can enhance their education.
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When dealing with the same issue, McCain has different plans to improve the education
system in the United States. He plans to recruit more tutors for the benefit of the students to
complete their classes and receive higher grades. According to the On the Issues website,
“McCain wants to create a pool of military veterans, retirees and others who would tutor students
in Math, Science, and English.” Also, McCain plans to introduce “internet access, with filters, at
every school & library” to prevent non-relevant college work in labs (McCain, “On The Issues”).
To give more assistance for education, this Arizona senator believes to form “tax free savings
accounts” for academic expenditure with “tutoring, computers, and tuition” (McCain, “On The
Issues”). Although, McCain is taking a different approach, it might be beneficial and practicable.
Usually Math, Science and English subjects are more challenging for students than other
courses, and they need extra assistance for these areas. Therefore, having the availability to
access more tutors enables students to be abetted in their quest for better grades. Because of the
high technological internet access, a considerable number of students use lab computers for nonrelevant college work. Due to this matter, many students with assignments have to wait 20-30
minutes in lines to access a computer. During finals, this situation is worse, and it causes
students to break deadlines. With the benefit of an internet filter, all the students will have an
equal opportunity to use public computers for academic purposes. Furthermore, due to the
current U.S. economic recession, parents do not have a sufficient income to spend on their
children’s education. According to McCain’s tax solution, parents can save the money which
they have to pay as taxes, and invest it in their children’s educational growth. This is his plan for
education, but there are other issues that he and Obama also have ideas on.
Moreover, poverty is another devastating problem in the United States. Almost 37 million
Americans are considered poor (Obama 08), and over 7 million Americans are unemployed (U.S
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Department of Labor). According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Coalition website, 3.5
million people are facing the homeless problem (LAHSC). As a response for this issue, Obama
has emphasized a housing construction program called “Affordable Housing Trust Fund” in
which will be provided shelters for low income families, and he believes that having this kind of
fund can significantly decrease the homeless rate in the country (Obama 08). And, to create
more employment opportunities and distribute resources fairly among employees, Obama
acknowledges increasing the minimal “wage” rate and contributing $1 billion for jobs and career
development plans that helps “low-income Americans succeed in the workforce” (Obama 08).
According to the Obama 08 web site, “Obama will create 20 Promise Neighborhoods in areas
that have high levels of poverty and crime, and low levels of student academic achievement in
cities across the nation.” These communities will help with “early childhood education, youth
violence prevention efforts and after-school activities” for making lives more meaningful in
those destitute areas (Obama 08).
The Illinois Senator has competent solutions, for the poverty menace, that can reduce
higher poverty rates and statistics. Granting $1billion for career empowerment programs helps to
educate the labor force by giving them new skills and abilities that suit the modern work
environments. Therefore, currently unemployed people will have the opportunity to apply for
many jobs, which relate to their qualifications. In the prevailing workforce, 2.2 million
employees earn only the minimum wage rate or below (U.S. Department of labor), and they have
many financial difficulties in meeting their even most basic needs such as food, clothes, rent,
transportation and medicine. Accruing the basic payment level benefits these people to improve
their lives by enabling them to earn more income for essential needs. Also, Launching a housing
project fund and introducing 20 furnished neighborhoods are two serviceable steps, which can
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directly address poverty. Then many homeless people and low-income families will get the
chance to find a shelter that suits their budget.
Regarding the problem of destitution, McCain addresses several solutions to be
implemented. First, McCain also has a plan for affordable housing:
John McCain is proposing a new “HOME Plan” to provide robust, timely and
targeted help to those hurt by the housing crisis. Under his HOME plan, every
deserving American family or homeowner will be afforded the opportunity to
trade a burdensome mortgage for a manageable loan that reflects their home’s
market value. (McCain)
Therefore, many homeowners will get a low interest loan to pay their mortgages, and they will
not have to leave their neighborhoods. This senator also has plans to reform the tax procedures
for “middle class” people: “John McCain will permanently repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax
(AMT) – a tax that will be paid nearly exclusively by 25 million middle class families” and he
suggests increasing “the personal exemption” per “dependent” by $2,500 more (McCain).
Moreover, for the unemployment crisis, he wants to “provide training programs with quick
assistance to workers seeking new skills,” grant “tax” releases for firms that hire employees from
“high unemployment areas” and create “empowerment zones” in those areas that suffers form
lack of jobs (McCain, On The Issues; McCain).
According to my views, McCain has appropriate solutions for poverty issue. First, having
the ability to get a fair interest loan to pay mortgages is a necessity at this moment, because
about half of the monthly income has to be allocated for housing, and people do not have enough
money to spend on even food, clothes, and medicine. Second, reducing the prevailing tax rates,
and increasing the “personal exemption for dependents” make people more able to fulfill their
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needs, and it “saves middles class families nearly $60 billion in a single year” (McCain).
Because of the current recessional period, workers have to face an unemployment problem, and
even college graduates have to struggle with finding a job. Accordingly, forming “empowerment
zones,” launching skills training programs and helping with tax exceptions will help unemployed
people to get into some kind of job they need.
Another major issue for the candidates is the war in Iraq. With the continuous wasting of
resources on the war, more than 59% of the budget has been assigned for this tragedy, and now
the U.S. economy has to deal with a recession. Every week $2.7 billion is spent on this war in
Iraq, and the total allotment for this war has gone beyond $611 billon (National Priorities; On the
Issues). According to obama.senate.gov website,
Our troops have performed brilliantly in Iraq, but no amount of American soldiers
can solve the political differences at the heart of somebody else's civil war. That is
why I have introduced a plan to not only stop the escalation of this war, but begin
a phased redeployment that can pressure the Iraqis to finally reach a political
settlement and reduce the violence. (Obama Offers)
In short, Obama affirms this is the suitable situation "for a policy" which makes a reconciliation
to stop this war, and return U.S. armed forces in Iraq (Obama Offers). However, he insists that a
"limited number of U.S. troops" should stay in Iraq for national security, controlling "counterterrorism" and "training of Iraq security forces." For the rehabilitation of the Iraq economy, this
politician plans to spend $10 billion on construction projects, employment originating programs,
and "economic development" (Obama Offers).
As a presidential candidate, Obama has the correct approach to boost the U.S. economy
by ending this war, and commanding the U.S. army to return. Calling off this war saves billions
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of dollars for the American government, and this money can be invested on U.S. and Iraqi
economic development. On the other hand, he contemplates spending $10 billion for
reestablishing the Iraqi economy. Although the U.S. government wasted $611 billion to destroy
Iraq, only $10 billion is expected to be invested on redeveloping the Iraqi economy. This is only
1.6% of the total war expense. Also “655,000 Iraqis” were killed in this war, and “3.4 million”
Iraqis fled from Iraq (Stop war). Obama’s suggestion to spend only $10 billion is inadequate.
From my perspective, the U.S. government should budget at least $50 billion, and launch various
public and private sector charitable organizations to help for the developing process of the Iraqi
economy.
For the same issue, Senator McCain has the opposite position, and he reforms strategies
to win this battle. According to Wall Street journal, “Sens. Obama and Clinton argue that the
U.S. needs a plan to get out of Iraq, While Sen. McCain argues the U.S. needs a plan to win in
Iraq” (Seib).
Also, the candidate wants to conquer Al Qaida, and get rid of them. He “believes
that if we had set a date for withdrawal or if we do set a date for withdrawal, Al Qaida will then
win and we’ll see chaos and genocide” (McCain, “On The Issues”). Further, the neighboring
country, Iran is to be threatened by the senator’s plan. According to On The Issues website, “The
US strategy in Iraq should be to defeat al-Qaeda, to reverse the increasing influence of Iran in
Iraq…” (McCain, “On The Issues”). The senator opines that his “talent”, “background”, and
“experience qualify him” to win this war, and he “would much rather lose a campaign than lose a
war” (McCain, “On The Issues”).
War is not the answer for a political solution, but peaceful and fair agreements between
the two parties. The senator’s position to continue this war is not the correct choice to be
implemented at this moment, because not only the U.S., but also all the countries are facing an
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economic depression. Thus, instead of wasting resources, we should increase the national
production, and move forward for a prosperous future. On the other hand, Iran is another
separate country, and the US does not have the right to interfere for their influence, unless
through United Nations. Now all the countries should get together, and make plans for an
economic development.
Both presidential candidates have their own positions for major problems in the U.S.:
education, poverty, and the war in Iraq. For the education issue, Senator Obama plans to
introduce summer school programs, more monetary grants for students, and reform salary scales
and launch training programs for the teachers. At the same time, Senator McCain intends to hire
more tutors, introduce tax exemption savings accounts for education, and a filter for the public
computers with internet access. Also to diminish the poverty situations, Obama approaches to
establish a low cost housing project and neighborhoods. For having more career enhancement,
the candidate is going to raise the minimum wage level and provide skills development plans.
Likewise, Senator McCain wants to grant a low interest loan to pay mortgages, change middle
class and employer tax policies, and start short vocational training programs. It is true that,
Senator Obama needs to stop the war in Iraq, while Senator McCain plans to continue being in
Iraq, and defeat both Al-Qaeda and Iran’s impact.
Although both candidates have both debated and important positions, Senator Obama’s
positions are more vital and appropriate for this moment. Mostly the position for the war, this
candidate’s plan to discontinue while making agreements with Iraq, shows a peaceful, respectful
and flourishing future for the whole world. On the other hand, at this moment we have a
republican government, and we know how it controls our country for 8 years. Therefore, I
believe this is the ideal time to have a democratic administration for a real change.