2 of 22

No

Write now Print Email Article Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites Contact this writer

No matter who wins the 2008 Presidential election, don't expect much change. Real change only happens in the political arena when both political parties come together and compromise for a common purpose. That doesn't happen very often.

Remember the 2006 Congressional elections? Democratic candidates running for Congressional seats touted change - "vote for Democrats because they will change the status quo" was the prevailing theme. The American people responded to the rhetoric and voted Democratic. So where is the real change? What makes people think that a new administration will be able to change the gridlock in Washington?

So what real changes are the Presidential candidates promising? Both Democratic candidates promise universal healthcare. What exactly do they mean? Do they mean that millions of taxpayer dollars will go into the already bloated healthcare system and insurance industry? It would be great to be able to have every American covered by healthcare...no one will argue that, but what about those of us who currently have health insurance? Can they guarantee that we won't be dropped by our insurance company if we encounter a catastrophic illness or injury? Real change would be overhauling the insurance industry and the rising cost of healthcare.

Last year Florida's Governor Charlie Crist went head to head with the insurance industry in Florida. Hundreds of thousands of Floridians either lost their homeowners insurance or their premiums were more than doubled. So what happened to Governor's Crist's efforts of putting some controls on the insurance industry? Many of the insurance companies left the State and no longer covered Floridians. That was their solution.

Overhauling the insurance industry is just one example of real change that needs to take place but won't as a result of the 2008 election. Real change is not on the horizon regardless of who wins the Presidency. As long as big business is in charge and as long as the two-party political system prevails and plays tug-of-war with important issues that directly affect us, "common folk," real change is only a pipe dream and a prevailing theme during an election campaign.

Learn more about this author, Pat Sobleskie.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

more options

hide

Add your voice

Know something about US elections 2008: Will this election bring real change??
We want to hear your view. Write now!