Thursday, February 21, 2008

The Desirable and UNdesirable changes.

"THE PEOPLE WANT CHANGES, THEY WANT SOMETHING NEW!!!" This is what always appear in the speech by politicians, such as, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama, Opposition parties in Pakistan, etc. Now, these changes could be desirable and undesirable.


For the past few days, the world has shown what changes means to them. To some of them changes could be disastrous; to some, changes are hopes; and to some changes change nothing. Some place just don't need changes, and some need them badly. Of course, this is a very realistic matter, people evaluate how desirable changes for them firstly based on the politic and economy stability. Events such as Kosovo's declaration of independence, Opposition parties won over in Pakistan's general election, and the Presidential nomination race in the US. All these reflect changes could be beneficial and disastrous.






On 17th, February 2008, another sunday for us, but is a very special day for a newborn nation, KOSOVO, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci announced the independence of Kosovo from Serbia. Kosovo has a population of serbs and albanians, and both of the ethnics are celebrating the independence. Few years back, the serbs and the albanians were clashing, violence was never ended without the UN peace keeping force. However, the independence of the nation is not really welcomed by all parties. Serbia, Russia, China and a few more nations have voiced their disagreement on the independence.






On 19th, February 2008, Fidel Castro who rules Cuba for decades announced his resignation as president. This news of course was mostly welcomed by the western nations, such as US, and the EU nations. This mainly because Fidel Castro was against their political policy, these countries put sanctions on Cuba just because the nation has a leader that is different with them.







While in the U.S, Senator Barack Obama lead over Senator Hillary Clinton in the latest poll. Again, I still predict that Senator Barack Obama will be the one represent the democratic party.
Because, he is seen as a man who the american put their trust into him and believe that he can bring changes. The U.S however, is now desperate for changes, this ie because the current government has created an atmosphere which her people think that changes is the only way to fix things up.



Changes is a double edged sword, it could be so meaningful and welcomed but yet it also could be so disastrous and damaging and always be blamed. I would say that people need changes mostly because of their self interest was threatened. And because each of our interest are binded together, so therefore, self interest of the citizens could never be abandoned, and this apply to all the citizens.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Nearly a week has just passed, where there were something happened in the presidential nomination race in the US. Mitt Romney was declaring that he quit from the nomination race, and this cause John McCain remained at the leading position in the republican without much problems, though Huckkabe said that he would fight till the end. Meanwhile, the race is much more interesting compared to republican, as the gap was getting closer and closer after Barack Obama has won three states earlier, nebraska, louisiana and also the washington state. Obama lead slightly over the pledged delegates while Hillary Clinton still remained at the leading position as she has slightly more superdelegates compared to Obama.

This of course indicates that the nomination race in democratic might have to take a longer time than expected. Due to the clean sweep by Obama over the three places, Hillary Clinton replaced her campain manager Patti Solis Doyle with Maggie Williams.

What I think of is that Mitt Romney is that he is an irresponsible person, as a candidate, how could u just quit from it. The reason given by him is really doesn't make sense, its crap! He was at the second place in the race.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Most Potential Changes = THE WINNER!!!!

ITS NEAR !!! ITS NEAR TO THE MOMENT WHERE AMERICANS HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH PATH THEY SHOULD GO NOW. I guess A NEW IMAGE HAS TO BE CREATED FOR USA, and this is the majority of Americans want for their country now. So, I hypothesize that whoever that seen as the one who will bring the most changes to the country is most likely to be the winner of the contest.

Under the realm of Bush Administration, the Americans have gone thru a living under fear, their lives were insecured, the image of USA in the eyes of the global is an invader rather a savior. No doubt, why do Americans hunger for changes is a consequences of the Bush's policy in and outside the country. George W. Bush has created an atmosphere where the people think changes is the only best solution to make things right.

Compared to Replublican, the Democratic is more likely to convince the people that they could make the changes that the people wish to. And what I think its going to happen is, republican stands a lower chance to win in this contest, while democratic stands a higher chance. And, among the democratic, I would think Barack Obama could bring a desired changes that the Americans wanted for.

5th of february, 22 states and american samoa, every state has their own history, which including which state is the republican or democratic's stronghold, but does this remained as a factor in this contest? I guess it would be quite hard to say, but anyway, the Americans are hunger for changes, and that's a fact. So, I guess the history doesnt matter too much.

anyway, this is a link where u can see all the details of each state. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/02/supertuesday.guide/index.html#25

Based on the information, here is a list on the historical stronghold for both parties:


REPUBLICANS
ALABAMA
ALASKA
AMERICAN SAMOA
ARKANSAS
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
DELAWARE
GEORGIA
MISSOURI
MONTANA
NORTH DAKOTA
OKLAHOMA
TENNESSEE
UTAH


DEMOCRATICS

ARIZONA
ARIZONA
CONNECTICUT
DELAWARE
IDAHO
ILLINOIS
KANSAS
MASSACHUSETTS
MINNESOTA
MISSOURI
NEW JERSEY
NEW MEXICO
NEW YORK
WEST VIRGINIA

SUPER TUESDAY !!!!

5th of february, is again another usual day for me, and for others as well, for some it might be just another day for them to suffer loss and pain.

5th of february, however is going to be a crucial day, an important day for Americans, and especially for those who nominated themselves in the presidential election 2008. They called this day as 'SUPER TUESDAY', because on this day, there will be 22 states and the American samoa will have to hold the contest, 5th of february is therefore seen as a key for any of the nomination list to access to the white house oval office.

There are several candidates who on the nomination list, but for my opinion, I would think three of them are going to face the challenge among each other. They are i) Hillary Clinton ii) Barack Obama and iii) JohnMcCain.


In the past few weeks since 3rd of January until 2nd of February, the contest is a history in eight primaries and caucuses,
January 3: Iowa caucuses
January 5: Wyoming caucuses
January 8: New Hampshire primaries
January 15:Michigan primaries
January 19: Nevada caucuses

South Carolina primary
January 26: South Carolina primary
January 29: Florida primaries
February 2: Maine caucuses

Among the hot issues for the moment are economy, Iraq, health care, Immigration, terrorism, and others. What americans care about, the main issue for them certainly will be economy, and therefore, its important that these candidates have a very good economy plan. According to a poll, 35% of those asked think economy will be the most important issue compared to others, while 25% agreed it will be Iraq issue, 18% on health care issue, 10% for immigration, 9% for terrorism and 2% for others.

Let's have a look on their policy on the three main concerns, the economy, iraq issue, and also health care.





Hillary Clinton on economy issues, (http://www.hillaryclinton.com/)


  • Lower taxes for middle class families.

  • Harness the power of innovation to create high wage jobs of the 21st Century.

  • Empower our workers and ensure that all Americans contribute their fair share.

  • Restore the basic bargain.

  • Return to fiscal responsibility.


Hillary Clinton on Iraq issues,

  • Starting Phased Redeployment within Hillary's First Days in Office.

  • Securing Stability in Iraq as we Bring our Troops Home.

  • A New Intensive Diplomatic Initiative in the Region. (non-interference, mediation and reconstruction funding)


Hillary Clinton on Health Care issues,

  • a health choices plan for everyone which characterized by three main criterias, Affordable, Available and Reliable. Insured or Uninsured.

  • lower premiums and increase security.

  • promote shared responsibility.

  • ensure affordable health coverage for all.

  • reins in insurance company.

  • a fiscality responsible plan that honours our priorities.




Barack Obama on Economy issues,(http://www.barackobama.com/)

  • Provide Middle Class Americans Tax Relief.

  • Trade.

  • Technology, Innovation and Creating Jobs.

  • Labor.

  • Protect Homeownership and Crack Down on Mortgage Fraud.

  • Address Predatory Credit Card Practices.

  • Reform Bankruptcy Laws.

  • Work/Family Balance.


Barack Obama on Iraq issues,

  • Judgment You Can Trust.

  • Bringing Our Troops Home.

  • Press Iraq’s Leaders to Reconcile.

  • Regional Diplomacy.

  • Humanitarian Initiative.


Barack Obama on health care issues,

  • Quality, Affordable and Portable Coverage for All.

  • Lower Costs by Modernizing The U.S. Health Care System.

  • Fight for New Initiatives.




John McCain on economy issues, (http://www.johnmccain.com/)


  • Cut Taxes On The Middle Class.

  • Pro-Growth Tax Policy.

  • Pro-Innovation Tax Cuts.

  • Retirement Tax Cut.

  • Eliminating Wasteful Spending.

  • Budgetary Reform To Give Tax Cuts A Fair Chance.

  • Reforming Entitlement Programs For The 21st Century.

  • Trade and Displaced Workers.

  • Health Care Reform .

  • Market-Based Energy Reform.


John McCain on Iraq issues,

  • Bolster Troops on the Ground .

  • Implement New Counterinsurgency Strategy.

  • Strengthen the Iraqi Armed Forces and Police.

  • Create the security necessary for political progress and stability.

  • Accelerate political and economic reconstruction in a secure environment.

  • Keep Senior Officers in Place.

  • Call for International Pressure on Syria and Iran.

  • Win the Homefront.


John McCain on Health care issues,

  • Bringing costs under control is the only way to stop the erosion of affordable health insurance.

  • Families should be in charge.

  • Promote competition throughout the health care system.

  • Make patients the center of care.

  • Make public more information on treatment options.

  • Facilitate the development of national standards for measuring and recording treatments and outcomes.

  • Reform the payment systems.
Who's gonna take the lead after super tuesday? in my opinion, this will depends on the different main concern for different states. I think Barack Obama would most likely to be the one, as he address most of the economy issues that currently faced in the US, and also I believed in his plan for Iraq is the most desirable. Hillary Clinton, however could take the advantages when it comes to health care issues, her health choices plan ensured a full coverage for all the citizens and also citizens could have control over their own health. On the other hand, I definitely disagreed with John McCain for his policy in Iraq which suggest a reinforcement, I believe the problems in Iraq is not the insufficient amount of troops, but is time to let the Iraqis to lead themselves. IT's pointless when u deploy more troops there but you don't know where ur enemy is, it do nothing good but to endanger the safety of the troops.