Palin Rally

Even though John McCain and Sarah Palin didn't win, it was still really neat to see Sarah Palin in person speaking at Hurkcamp Park. Despite the coldness factor, and the rain, there was a huge turnout of different groups of people. There was the big man in the overalls and the clean-cut Southern gentleman behind me. It was neat to see such a mix of people. I was reallu surprised by how many young people showed up. I saw people there that live in my neighborhood and that I've played sports with that I haven't seen in awhile.

As far as Sarah acutally speaking, I think that her speech wasn't as exciting as I anticipated. I've never heard about Tito the Construction Worker, but I thought that was a little bit not P.C. Joe the Plumber works, but Tito the Construction Worker? I thought that was a little weird. She was dressed nicely and I thought it would good that she didn't necessarilly bash the Democrats the whole time, which was great to me. I didn't want it to get childish, and Ifelt like it wasn't.

Overall, I really enjoyed going to the rally more than I expected.

Obama's Advisors

I think that Obama will primarily be working with the Treasury Department and the Justice Department. Working closely with the Treasury Department will help get us closer to fixing our economic problems. Since Obama really wants to continue the search for bin Laden, I think that he will be looking for advising from the Justice Department. The Justice Department will not only help to keep Obama safe, but they also have the technology to find bin Laden and protect our country as a whole.

Election Results

I'm really glad that Obama won. I think it's awesome. Our country needs a change and I think he will be the perfect person for it. Looking at the polls, I was a little scared at like 7:00. My stepdad turned CNN on and McCain had 8 electoral college votes and Obama had 3. Although it wouldn't have been horrible if McCain won, I'm excited for the changes that will hopefully arise.

I think it's so awesome that this is such a crucial point in my life (senior year) and that I was alive to see such an amazing thing in history. The first black president of the United States. Yesterday on the bus, I was talking to Jamie, Nicholas and Mrs. Nobles about the election. Mrs.Nobles told us that Obama was elected president and the world still went on. Thats a huge deal. People are ok with having a black president, at least the people that I have met. I'm really excited for these next 4 years.

Should the Voting AGe be Lowered to Sixteen?

I don't think that the voting age should be lowered in America. Even though it would get more people involved in politics at an older age, I feel as though people our age do not know exactly what goes on in Washington. I think 18 is the perfect age because legally the person is an adult. They have adult rights, they can support themselves, they can make their own choices, and they are more independent. I think that if a sixteen year old were to vote, they would be swayed by their parents' political views. As the handout brought up, high school students usually don't complete civics or government until their junior or senior year. Typically, a sixteen year old is a sophomore in high school or a beginning junior. In other countries, such as Tanzania, I say go for the lowering the voting age. If the children are done with school and their life expectancy is shorter, why not be able to vote? But as for America, I think that the voting age should say exactly where it is now.

Should the Electoral College be reformed?

Question 1: No- I think no because it will just make everything even more confusing (is that even possible?) if it is reformed.

Questions 2: No: I still think that it shouldn't be reformed. After reading the "No" side of things, it kind of makes me agree that it is ridiculous that the vote in Wyoming is 3 times more powerful than that of California. The Electoral College doesn't represent everyone in America as well. Maybe it should be reformed?

Question 3: I said yes. I think that it should be reformed even though the vote may represent the more populated region.

Question 4: I think no. Why not let there be political stability? If there is a clear election winner, people will be able to accept the new leader and thus it will be more stable.

Question 5: No

Should there be limits on interest group participation?

I don't think there should be limits on interest group participation. The whole purpose of interest groups is to target the interests of individuals for the the greater good. If George Soros wanted to donate $15.8 million to MoveOn.org, then so be it. I don't think that 4H groups should have the same voice as the National Dairy Association. The National Dairy Association is for the whole country and is for food and health of the nation. 4H can be different in which ever county a person may reside in. I do think that wealthier groups do have a more prominent voice, as they should, because they have the resources that make their point known.

Should gays be allowed to marry?

1st Question: Should gays be allowed to marry?- I think yes. Love is love to me. I know that traditionally marriage is between a man and woman, but times are changing. I think it would benefit homosexuals to get married so they could share health insurance benefits, life insurance after their loved one dies, and because they should be allowed to express their love to the world.
2nd question: I still believe gays should be allowed to marry and I think it’s outrageous that “many people believe that denying marriage licenses to homosexuals is not discriminatory.” It is discriminatory in my eyes. I don’t think that those who go through therapy can somehow just come out of it and be heterosexual. I don’t think it works like that. I’m straight but I’ve heard from homosexuals that being gay isn’t something that they can control.
3rd Question: I still think that gays should be allowed to be married. I looked at the “no” side of the question and I saw that some scholars believe that the Bible isn’t clear in its denunciation of homosexuality. When someone, like my stepbrother, says it’s a sin to be gay, or to be gay and married, I want to know where in the Bible it says that exactly. It may be implied, but I certainly don’t think it says “GAYS SHALL BE CONDEMNED TO HELL!!!!”
4th Question: Reading that children raised single-sex homes are at a higher risk for a psychological problem concerns me, but it does not change my opinion. I believe that someone can always have a father figure in your life, whether it is your grandfather, uncle, or family friend. I think gays should be married to stabilize the health care problems that were described in this question.
5th Question: Yes. I think that gays should still be allowed to marry. Children can be adopted and still have a connection with their parents. Gay couples can adopt. They should be allowed to get married so they can adopt. There are so many alternatives to “manufacture” being a parent. The “no” side pretty much said that times are changing and that gay marriage is the next evolution. I think this is true. We are in a different time period than the time the Bible was written. We are not in the 1950’s where the man makes the money and woman stays at home and takes care of the kids and the house. We’re in a time when anyone can do anything; so why can’t gays get married?