The Vice Presidential Debate: Biden Vs. Palin

It is not because of the experience he has, he surely has the upper hand there, but her answers sound evasive. I hate the idea that they keep bringing up their presidential counterparts during their debate, but I digress. I will break down the debate for each party and give my response based on the candidate’s remarks. The economic bailout: Biden noted the Bush administration for their failure with the economy. Palin talked about asking a soccer mom about how she felt about the economy. If you haven’t been keeping track of the past eight years of Bush’s presidential term, the economy has been up and down for most of his dual terms. Unfortunately, I believed that Bush would end on a good note with gas prices at the time were lowering and focusing on objectives that were important many years ago.

Then, Hurricane Gustav happened and multiple banks failed due to the housing crisis that hasn’t been dealt with over the last two years. The bailout I considered was a quick fix to an issue that demands serious thought to refrain from serious consequences in future. Unfortunately, the bailout was needed and possibly could help in the near future. If it does in fact fail, this would be another notch on Bush’s belt for “How Not to Run the United States”, which should be written by someone who feels that Bush has put Americans in tough financial situations. I really don’t have a response to the $810 billion bailout ($110 added for tax cuts) because we have yet to see the impacts of the bailout. But, I’m sure that a few banks may be an example of what we don’t want to happen. Healthcare: Biden mentioned Barak Obama’s plan for universal healthcare. Palin mentioned John McCain’s tax credit for healthcare. Even though I feel Biden defended his policy for healthcare better than Palin, I don’t support either one. Universal healthcare is a good idea, but I believe that Obama wants it to be one healthcare provider instead a wide array of providers, which could benefit all classes.

This could leave many people in the same situation they have now, not being able to afford the payments or the coverage period. Biden put to rest Palin’s policy by stating that the tax credit would cover some, if not considered to be a very little of the healthcare payments. Instead of getting the coverage, you would get this tax credit towards the healthcare payments of your choice, and then you would have to pay the rest. I would rather get the healthcare myself, then take what this would do to people. Energy: Biden says that he and Obama will look into alternative fuels and energy for future use. Palin comments on the quote “Drill baby, drill”, this refers to the GOPs idea for energy. I support the idea for alternative fuels, but we need immediate relief. I live in the Southeast and we are just getting back to normal from the gas shortage we had, this would make many people wonder about what can be done. Alternative fuels would be the best bet because not only are they untapped, but imagine paying possibly 99¢ for fuel again.

If you have been following the news, a ton of methods have been proposed, but years from actual use. The other option would be offshore drilling off the coast of the United States. First, where are we going to drill? Second, how long would it take to see oil coming to gas pumps? Third, where would the money for all this come from? I hope those are legitimate questions for offshore drilling. Didn’t we just sign off $810 billion dollars we probably got from another country. We can’t afford offshore drilling nor have the buildings for it, like in the Gulf. Right now, I believe where the pipelines are, they need to be linked to all of the United States instead of what states are close by. In the southeast, are gas came from Texas, which was directly hit by Gustav and slowed the production of much needed fuel. Regardless, we need immediate assistance in this area and it needs to be done as soon as the new president is in office.

The war in Iraq: Biden states that Obama and himself will put an end to the Iraq war. Palin says that victory is needed in Iraq and leaving would be surrender for the United States. For me, I feel like the military is being worn thin and we need immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Of course, hearing that Iraq has an $800 billion dollar surplus doesn’t help the idea of staying there. I would like to stay in Iraq, if I knew the TRUE reason why we are in Iraq. If you asked Bush, he probably couldn’t tell us. This is the whole problem with Iraq! First, it was to keep us safe from Weapons of Mass Destruction. Second, was to rid the country of Saddam Hussein. Why is that when our number one objective was Osama Bin Laden? Third, is currently bringing democracy to Iraq. Why do that when we have soldiers dying in Afghanistan and Iraq? However you feel about Iraq, everyone should know that we don’t receive times of prosperity until after war. Either way, something needs to be done about Iraq and Afghanistan.

I’m sorry if this isn’t the formal presentation you expected. Sometimes, you just need someone’s true feelings on a subject. If I offended either republicans or democrats, suck it up, that’s life. Our livelihoods are at stake in this election and issues need to be spoken in clear cut answers. I hope this helps someone out.