by Paul Schingle

Created on: January 02, 2009

I don't know about middle class, but I do consider myself a fairly average American. This is about as generic a title as anyone could ever find to write to, but I'll give it a go. So, what are my "views on issues," huh? I think I better narrow it down a little or else I could end up rambling on all day. I'm going to imagine myself as an adviser to soon-to-be-president Obama and let him know what the "average American" is most concerned with on three fronts: 1) jobs and the economy; 2) Iraq and foreign policy and 3) a better and more practical energy policy. Yes, there are many other issues to confront and we need to face them all, but these are the biggest three issues to me-an average American.

I'm no economics expert. but I do remember a couple things from my college economics courses. The number one thing on the president's mind, right now, should be getting Americans working again. Last I heard, unemployment was up past the 6.5% mark and was still rising. Forecasts have this rate continuing to rise-possibly past 9%. This can end up being devastating to the economy as a whole. I, for one, feel very fortunate to be working at a time when many people are not. Who's at fault has become quite irrelevant. I blame the CEO's of these large financial industry markets (banks, insurance companies, etc.). The same can be said for the auto industry. But, again, it doesn't matter who's to blame. These CEO's are going to have to forfeit these ridiculously huge bonuses and incentives. But, the working stiffs are going to have to sacrifice some, as well. I know it's easy for me to ask some one else to give up a pay raise, or whatever it takes, but I've been asked to do the same at my work and have agreed. We all have to tighten our belts.

Foreign policy is an even trickier issue than the economy. And, make no mistake about it, the two are forever tied together. We invaded Iraq nearly six years ago based on a series of lies-the Bush administration would say "bad intelligence." Whatever the reason, under rules of the Geneva Convention, we really can't leave until Iraq becomes stable. It took the Bush administration too long to figure it out, but there has been movement made to get out of Iraq. The Iraqi government has taken control of the so-called "green zone." Under Obama, we should be able to be out completely (save for some advisers) within a year and a half or so. The key is to leave, but have a safe Iraq to leave behind. Part of this answer is to leave Iraq both militarily

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