Like bungee jumping... without a rope

If you read my blog post about sequestration, you learned about a major election issue that many people haven't heard of.

Except you HAVE heard of it.

It's now known as "the fiscal cliff."  And if you haven't heard about this over the past month, here's what you're missing (it's a 7 minute video, but very informative and pretty interesting):

But the problem of the fiscal cliff isn't one that will be easily solved, and it's pretty alarming.  People are getting nervous... and I talked to two of them.

A history of rights in post-election 2012

Since it was announced that Obama was reelected on Tuesday, a lot has been going on in the world of social media.  Some people are overjoyed.  Others... not so much.

This Tumblr, "White People Mourning Romney," has been making the rounds.  I thought I'd take a peek, see what all the fuss was about.  But instead of giggling at silly reactions of children falling on the floor or people caught on camera in unflattering ways, I was somewhat disturbed by some of the comments posted.

Many people posted about our country having no morals.  One post discussed the opening of a new "anti-gay" Chick-Fil-A restaurant as a sort of coping mechanism for sad Romney supporters.  Still other posts talked about how our country has been flushed down the toilet and how the United States is now going to be socialist.

From what is posted on this site, many people quote the founding fathers and the foundation that our country was built upon.  I encourage you to look at the site on your own.

 I started to think.... and this is what I've come up with...

Why I love election night

I graduated from undergrad with two degrees - journalism and political science - and while everyone else is tearing their hair out and can't wait until this election is decided... I kind of wish it was always election season.

There's something exhilerating about a newsroom full of people milling about, no-nonsense, getting things done.  Sure, it can be stressful, but the payoff is huge.

So here is the shortest post I'll ever write.  I'm running a mile a minute, getting in scripts, updating social media and cramming our faces with delicious food.  But I just want to take a minute to enjoy this.  In the midst of the negative ads, crazy facebook and twitter posts, angry people and everything else... how wonderful it is to live in a country where we have this right to vote.  No matter who wins, I voted and I hope you did, too.

The damage... after our newsroom was let loose on our dinner goodies!  It was so delicious :) Plus, of course, election coverage!

What Hurricane Sandy means for election 2012

There has been a lot of speculation about the hurricane that hit the east coast Monday and what it means for the upcoming presidential election.  While I certainly don’t have the answer, I’m going to throw my hat into the ring of speculation.  I hope you do the same.

I want to start by offering my sincerest condolences to those struggling with the loss of power, property and, worst of all, life from Hurricane Sandy.  We must remember that an election, while important, is not as important as people.  There are a lot of things you can do to help with disaster relief – things as small as giving blood locally and as big as going out to help with clean up.   For information on how to help or to donate, visit the Red Cross hurricane page here.

Now when it comes to the election, many began to wonder if the election date would be moved.  This seems incredibly unlikely, although certain counties could change polling locations if your local site was destroyed.  Even some of the hardest hit places in New Jersey don’t seem to be phased.  The election has been placed on the back burner while officials are concerned with flooding and clean up, but in a recent CNN article, New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie (R) said “the election will take care of itself.”

In my opinion, there are two factors which could actually impact the election, and they’re things that BOTH parties should be worried about.

Politics... it's war.

They say "all's fair in love and war," but I think what they meant was politics.

This election has focused less on the economy than on warfare. But I don't mean the war overseas.  Rather, any issue where two sides disagree has been dubbed "warfare" during this election cycle.

Health Care: Why We Should Care

We are in the last hour before the Supreme Court rules about President Obama's famous health care law and speculation is abound.  Will it be struck down?  Upheld?  No one is quite sure, but everyone has a guess.

I don't.

Some of you may know that one of my undergraduate degrees is in political science with a focus in law.  I studied for the LSATs and considered going to law school.  I decided instead to get my Masters in journalism.  That being said, I've studied the legal system quite a bit.

So amidst this speculation, this uncertainty and uproar, there is a bigger question than "will this be upheld."  That question is "what are the repercussions?"

Why I Caved.

Yesterday a friend of mine asked if I was planning to vote in the recall election today.  I said no.  I am a Maryland resident and want to keep my Maryland residency for when I move back after graduating.  Why go through the hassle of becoming a Wisconsin resident to vote once (actually twice, with the presidential election in November. I planned to vote absentee.)?  My friend didn't ask any more questions, but smiled at me and said ok.

I voted today (clearly my friend knows me too well).  Here's why...

Got my mind on my money and my money on my mind

Lindsay has loans.  A lot of loans.  So does her husband.  Between the two of them, these loans total about as much as a house. 


Where did they go wrong?

Ring 'er up!

Sometimes I like to think of the President as a father figure.  Some of the so-called "Founding Fathers" were presidents - John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, for example.  Fathers, to me, are men who at least try to look after their children.  Sometimes they go astray, but it is always with good intention.  I couldn't think of a single President who set out to completely tear down our country.  They may have succeeded, but they certainly didn't do it on purpose.

That being said, fathers often hold the finances of the family - deciding where certain funds are allocated.  Imagine, if you will, a trip to the grocery store.  What should we buy?  What is too expensive?  What should we get, but maybe just the store brand?  Recently, pops released his newest budget for the upcoming year.  I decided to take a peek at that grocery store receipt for dear old dad...

State of Insanity

Last night, President Obama gave his State of the Union address to our nation.  Tonight, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker gave his State of the State address.  These men might not have much in common...one is a Democrat, the other a Republican.  One is black, the other white.  However, the pair does have a few things in common, and these speeches came with high stakes.

The content of the speeches themselves were similar in a number of ways.  Both men discussed a specific person who had been laid off, but was re-hired at a better job and is now thriving.  Both men discussed energy sources - Obama discussing oil; Walker, mining.  They touted the job creation within their constituency, and how they aided that progress.  They also discussed education - Obama proposed that students must finish high school, or be in school until they turn 18.  Walker proposed reading reform to keep kids in school, as well as an accountability scale for passing and failing schools.

Obama versus...? A look into the Republican race for the presidency

The race for the Republican presidential nomination has been highly contentious, with constant flipping between the “front runners.” In fact, Slate released an animation of the GOP “horse race” which is a great visual aid to see how the race has evolved over time (found here: http://goo.gl/7Xd95)

With the debate that took place in Las Vegas tonight, I feel as though only more questions have been raised among the candidates. Republicans need to ask not only who they like, but who can beat Obama in the 2012 election.  How can this decision be made? Whether or not you have been following the race so far, below I highlight some of the key points that I think should be considered for the Republican bid, as well as some personal insight into the debate. Some are political, some are not. I welcome any feedback.