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At the fork in the road, make a left

In 2012, the masses will take to the streets, make a stand against the wrath of forces that are seemingly beyond their control and once every last man and woman of courage has done all that they can, wait for the end. December 21st? No, October 2nd.

While I think disaster scenarios are mostly hype to sell some books and movie tickets, the world as we know it will end in 2012… or at least change. Like the elephant that represents their party, Republicans have been so noisy and cumbersome since Obama took office and more so since their victories in 2010, that it will be hard for voters to forget when they step into the ballots.

In 2012 there will be a variety of elections spanning from local all the way through the federal, with the presidential office at stake. It is being debated whether or not there will be a party turnover at the federal level like there was in 2010 when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives and captured a few extra seats in the Senate.

While there is some dissatisfaction with the current state of America, a turnover in power would be detrimental to the union as all of the effort put into the current administrations legislation will be put to waste.

I believe, therefore, the people should wait for the flower to grow before digging it out and planting something else.

Current dissatisfaction with the U.S. government is largely based upon the economy. Where Republicans believe in a free market in which businesses determine the direction for growth, Democrats have the philosophy that regulating business actions is beneficial for the people.

The economic crises, from which we are still recovering, was caused by the policies of deregulation begun in the Reagan years and continued by George W. Bush according to Dr. Walter E. Williams, professor emeritus at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington and Bryan Jones, J.J. Pickle Chair of Congressional Studies in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin during a guest appearance on KUOW.org, whose mission it is to create and serve an informed public.

Following economic downturn, the response from democrats has been the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which, amongst other things, “To promote the financial stability of the United States by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system, to end ‘‘too big to fail’’, to protect the American taxpayer by ending bailouts, to protect consumers from abusive financial services practices, and for other purposes.”

My opponents may say that this act is just typical over-regulatory behavior from Democrats; however, if a policy of de-regulation did not work through two Republican administrations then fair regulation that keeps the common people’s interests in mind deserves a shot.

The economic crisis has also spawned a debate over health care.

Recently, in an attempt to reduce national debt, Republican leaders have proposed cutting funding for the Medicare and Medicaid programs. However, President Obama has promised his budget will cut health care spending, without taking from Medicare or Medicaid, and according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office, it will reduce the national deficit by $130 billion.

Healthcare can be a touchy issue for many as everyone would like affordable healthcare but are skeptical of government controlling the system. According to a Gallup poll in March, American support of the Affordable Care Act was 46 percent.

Whatever the cause may be for the underwhelming support, the healthcare law is beneficial. Proof can be found in provisions in section 2301 that prohibits insurance providers from placing limits on coverage terms or revoking coverage completely in any case other than when information is falsified.

Additionally, tax credits for the cost of health insurance would be based upon household income, according to section 1001.

All of these and many other provisions are important to us, but some Republicans such as Pennsylvania’s newly elected Senator, Pat Toomey, have voted to repeal the law.

Critics may claim that the provision of the Affordable Care Law that requires Americans who can afford it to maintain basic health insurance coverage is unconstitutional. However, in 3 out of 5 total federal court cases, the provision was ruled as constitutional, according to the United States Department of Justice website.

Its constitutionality was also defended during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Feb 2 by Senator Al Franken, D-Minn.

"We need to move past baseless challenges to the constitutionality of health care reform,” said Franken, “and refocus our attention on what really matters: implementing a law which is already helping Minnesota families and creating jobs."

Health care isn’t the only issue in the modern age where a decision on policy can be a decision in life or death. In this modern age, wherein terrorism has become common, it is important that the political party in power has some accomplishment in combating these threats.

Democrats voted on and were able to pass the National Defense Authorization Act which supports the strategy of strengthening partnerships with key nations in fighting the recruitment and fundraising of terrorist cells.

So when it comes time to elect your leaders, who will write and defend laws on your behalf for the next four years, remember whose positions and policies, benefit you the most.

Contact Robert Tierney at communitarian@mail.dccc.edu

The Communitarian Opinion Policy: The opinions expressed on the editorial and the op-ed pages do not necessarily reflect those of The Communitarian staff or college. We welcome your comments on any matter relating to Delaware County Community College, and responsible rebuttal is encouraged. Write to communitarian@mail.dccc.edu. Please write “letter to editor” in the subject box.