by Tanilan Prescott

Created on: October 28, 2008

With the failed politics of the past eight years, the Democrats are better slated to take the White House and make a difference for this country; and elevate us back up on the world stage. Caught up in two wars, failed economic policies, market instability, fear of recession, it is time for change. Our country was once viewed as the greatest in the world. But, our status on the world stage has been diminished by the Bush Administration and the Republican platform.

When President Bush ordered attacks on Afghanistan to rid the world of the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, we were on the right track. We had been attacked by Islamic Fundamentalist who hated the very thought of Western Ideology. We were going to show the world no one could attack America and get away with it. But suddenly, we were thrown into Iraq. On the pretense of fighting terrorism in the world, we were told Saddam Hussein posed an even bigger threat than bin Laden and we needed to get him. We were told Saddam had "weapons of mass destruction", he was an evil dictator, and the Iraqi people needed to be free in order for us to maintain our freedom. This turn of events have since divided this country in half. Our support, or lack thereof, has become the criteria for measuring ones patriotism. This should not be, based on the fact we are a country founded on the principle of tolerance...agreeing to disagree.

With the deregulation of our financial markets, a high unemployment rate, huge increases in corporate pay, outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries, record high foreclosures and bankruptcies, and the subsequent failure of many banks; the American people are faced with economic uncertainty. People are fearful of what their financial future holds. With the high cost of fuel and food, Americans are fearful of what will happen to them next. Many want to blame individual consumers for their demise, siting fiscal irresponsibility. But if regulations were tighter, and banks had not loaned money to those who could not afford it, then the crisis may have not been as troubling.

According to a report made to Congress by the CRS (Congressional Review Service) in July 2008; the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and operations to fight terrorism abroad, have cost the American tax payer $859 billion! This along with the $700 billion bail-out of our financial market, has caused many in this country to feel as if a noose has been thrown around their pocket books. The cost of health care, and the lack of consumer confidence has caused our economy to slow substantially.

Many feel, in light of all of these things, it is time for a change in America. It is time for a change in the way our country is run. The Democrats have the chance to take this election, and make TRUE change in the way Washington is run. No one is saying it will automatically get better the moment the election is over. It is going to take a lot of work and sacrifice. It is going to take new ideas, cooperation between both parties and true dialogue to get this country back on track.

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