Bush Tax-Cut Extension to Take Place After Elections

     Democrats have chosen to postpone the vote on whether or not to extend the Bush Tax-Cuts until after the upcoming elections, leaving voters in question as to whether their taxes will increase in the upcoming year.  Knowing that the Democrats would not have the 60 votes needed to go through with their tax position, waiting until the deadline is, "the only realistic way to address it" (Richard Durbin).  

     Tax issues have become an important issue heading into November's mid-term elections.  Republicans across the board appear in favor of continuing the entire Bush-Era Cuts, and be extended in the middle of the economic slump.  Not only Republicans feel strongly towards this decision, many Democrats also believe that now is not the time to raise taxes at any income level.

     The Democrats decided not to have a debate on the tax issue and are now facing the question, Do we raise taxes in the middle of a very tough economy?  On the one hand the Republicans (and some Democrats) believe it would be a crippling idea, but the Democrats have sworn that the decision that's made will not be against the will of the American public.  Despite voters following Republican policies, Democrats who are still in control of the chamber will fight for their priorities.

     In my opinion I feel that now is not the time to raise taxes.  Raising taxes may hurt any progress that has been made so far towards pulling out of our economic lows.  I usually feel positive towards higher taxation on the upper class, but now I think we should ride these tax cuts out for at least another year.  It seems that many Americans feel this way, and all-in-all it seems to be the right thing to do.  I'm unsure as to why the Democrats are waiting until post-November to vote on the issue, but the smart thing to do (for Democrats) would be to listen to their voters and decide along those lines, keeping party support.  WashingtonTimes

Obama Reaches Out to Black Voters

     President Obama made a speech Saturday at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), calling on his civil rights "foot soldiers" for help in the November elections.  Obama made it clear that goals of the past and present have been made thanks to a plan, so he urged everyone to go back to "your neighborhoods and your workplaces, to your churches and barbershops and beauty shops. Tell them we have more work to do. Tell them we can't wait to organize. Tell them that the time for action is now."  

     As the current trends continue, voter turnouts in mid-term elections are always on the low end.  Obama is trying to energize and engage his Democratic minded African-American voting group to vote in the upcoming elections, warning that Republican gains in Congress could upset the goals he shares with the CBC.  Obama stated that tremendous levels of African-Americans turned out for the 2008 election, and that the CBC has helped to deliver some of "the most significant progress in a generation."  He emphasized that this battle is not yet over, emphasizing how past problems with the economy have disproportionately affected African-Americans in this country, and more work needs to be done with the U.S. economy.

     I feel that it was a good idea for Obama to strengthen his ties with the CBC, noting that 95 percent of black voters voted Democrat in the 2008 election.  These same numbers would be a big help in the 2010 mid-term elections as well, continuing Democratic power in both houses of Congress.  A Republican victory and majority in the House of Representatives could be disastrous for the economy and the country, mainly by limiting any government action brought up by either the President (D) or the House (R). 

     I also agree with President Obama that our country still needs work and I feel that there's a better chance of this "work" getting done with the Democrats holding power in both Houses.  I feel that voters will give the Democratic Party one last chance at fixing our economy before turning power over to the Republicans. cqpolitics

Health Care Reform for Illegal Aliens???

     During the week, The Obama Administration moved forward on immigration reform that allows non-citizen Latinos to purchase American health insurance with their own means.   By addressing the Latino health care issue, President Obama considered the reform a "crucial turning point for healthcare in the Latino community," this community being one of the Democrats' key constituencies.  According to TheHill.com, Latinos are the most affected by the past failure of our health care system.  "Nearly one-third of all Latinos are uninsured, which is the highest of any racial or ethnic group. Latinos have persistently had trouble accessing basic health care, while suffering higher rates of obesity and chronic illnesses like heart disease..."  The President's new health care law, the Affordable Care Act, targets the very issues that prevent Latinos (illegal and legal citizens) as well as many Americans from achieving health care in America."

     Its considered fact that the Latino vote assisted Obama and Biden win the presidential race just two years ago.  Taking that into consideration, were these recent health care provisions created out of desperation or fear of losing the Latino vote in upcoming elections?  It seems to me that Obama's new health care plan has a lot of room for clauses, and voter appealing add-ons.  Not to mention, its just a matter of time before the illegal Latinos that can't pay for their own health insurance will be provided it by the federal government and our tax money.  Whether this new reform has arose from criticisms from some Latino advocates in government, or from Democratic pressure towards appeasing the large Latino vote, I feel that this issue needed to be addressed.

Democratic Party Preps for the Mid-term Races

     During the last weekend in August, thousands of volunteers, "Organizing for America" supporters, and grassroots Democrats came together to reach out to voters.  Both major Democratic committees launched their first nationwide get out the vote initiative of the fall campaign, aiming to knock on 400 thousand doors in 75 Congressional Districts.  The goals of the program were for each committee (volunteers and supporters) to knock on 200 thousand doors, to encourage conversations with registered voters and plan communication with them again and again until election day. 

     DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen said in a statement. "We will continue to meet with voters face to face and spread the message about moving the country forward."  This face-to-face time with voters is important for (Democratic) success in November.

     I have a good feeling about the start of the Democratic "nationwide get out and vote initiative".  I feel that its important that November 2nd is on the minds of American voters, and I think that these volunteers will help inform and persuade people to get out and vote in the mid-term elections.  Mid-term elections have always had a low turnout rate, but I believe early awareness programs like this will help to inform and encourage people to get out and vote. 
     These volunteers are not only speaking to voters who haven't made up their minds about which candidate to support, but they're also speaking with Americans who weren't even aware that there was another important election coming up.  Also, these supporters are going above and beyond the door-to-door approach by making calls to registered  voters.  Overall, I'm impressed with the two Democratic committees get out and vote initiative, and I have a good feeling about the results of their efforts.               www.democrats.org