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The race is on

Ready or not, election season is upon us. President Barack Obama has already started his re-election campaign, and the Republicans are sure to counter with a candidate of their own.

Once again we will be inundated by commercials propping up one candidate and tearing down the other.

The question still remains, what will define this campaign season? The Democrats can no longer blame George W. Bush for everything and are back-pedaling after Obama’s “savior” status failed to live up to its billing.

But, Republicans, despite a large swell in support, appear to lack an obviously compelling candidate to step up and challenge the incumbent.

Rest assured, challengers will arise in the coming months and the spin machines will be in full force as each party attempts to define what this election will be about.

With huge issues such as health care concerns, a multi-front war, and a massively struggling economy, it may be difficult to see a way forward. There is an answer, however.

Let’s look at some of the issues.

After seizing control in 2008 the Democrats wasted no time trying to address the struggling economy and the health care crisis. Both need attention, but the Democrats followed their time-honored tradition of trying to spend their way out of problems.

Numbers released on the National Treasury Department’s website at the end of 2010 indicated that the national debt has increased by $3 trillion in the two years of the Obama administration. That’s an increase of over 25%.

Even with this astronomical spending, the success of these bank bailouts and “stimulus” plans has been debatable to say the least. Even if the spending had effectively restored the economy, the bailouts still would have been based on imaginary money that we do not have, and will never have the ability to pay back.

We are printing money to mask problems, which, in turn, devalues our dollar and puts our role as the world’s economic leader in jeopardy.

As for foreign affairs, Obama came into office with promises flying in every direction. Arbitrary deadlines were set for pulling out of Iraq and closing Guantanamo Bay, but have since passed. We now find ourselves with wars on three fronts instead of one.

Obama has shown a lack of knowledge and decisiveness when it comes to foreign policy. Despite being willing to say anything to get elected, once presented with the facts of the situation Obama has done nothing to fulfill those promises.

In fact since Obama used the demonization of George W. Bush to get elected, upon being elected and receiving the facts about a situation like Iraq, he has had a hard time separating himself from President Bush in any way.

In 2012 we need a politician who knows how to navigate an increasingly tumultuous foreign ladscape, one who understands that money doesn’t grow on trees, or in the national mint.

In the last three years, the Democrats have shown no ability to address any of these pressing issues, even with heavy control of both houses for the first two years.

Debt has soared and the number of wars has increased. As government increases, freedom decreases.

Obviously, it’s time for another “change” in Washington.

Contact Adam Shorey at communitarian@mail.dccc.edu

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