"He Said, She Said"

A few recent statements from Obama recently have sparked republican retaliation in a childish way. Recently President Obama made a few statements using the words “soft” and “lazy.” Out of context using these words might stimulate hostile reactions for many Americans. But when reading them in context Obama is simply trying to allow Americans to see through his eyes through a few issues that he sees. The context of these words comes from multiple speeches from the President. At a during a CEO business summit Q & A hosted by APEC, Obama was referring to collective efforts in promoting foreign investment in the US. He said, “But we've been a little bit lazy, I think, over the last couple of decades.”

In another recent speech is where we hear the word “soft” come into play. “The way I think about it is, this is a great, great country that had gotten a little soft and we didn't have that same competitive edge that we needed over the last couple of decades.” Some might say it was a negative notation towards Americans, but he is respectful in his delivery and, in my opinion, I don’t think he has any negative intentions what so ever. He then follows his statement up with this statement: “But I still wouldn't trade our position with any country's on earth. We still have the best universities, the best scientists, and best workers in the world…” Obviously America has many problems and kinks it needs to work out, having a leader that sees issues and wants to help with success is a good thing in my eyes; but apparently not in Rick Perry’s.

Perry used these words as a weapon against Obama. He made a commercial replaying these speeches and calling Obama out, saying “That's what our president thinks is wrong with America? That Americans are lazy? That's pathetic. It's time to clean house in Washington." I’m not opposed to one man calling another out for something that he doesn’t agree with, but it’s his intent that I have a problem with. He is using these to get a leg up in his presidential campaign against Obama. I am outraged by the childish “he said, she said” TV and radio commercials during elections. I think candidates should be focusing on more pressing issues outlining their stance on issues, rather than feeling the need to “tattle” on the opponent for irrelevant information. 

Reaction to Voting ID Laws, Long Over Due

This blog is in reaction to Voting ID Laws, Long Over Due

I think that enacting a law where voters would have to show their photo id or drivers license is very practice. It would prevent fraud would ensure that the correct person is voting and not an imposter. I don’t understand why it is such a big issue, the simple fact is that you get one vote per person as a United States citizen. This law would prevent illegal immigrants from being able to vote in another person name. By enacting this law, it would cause very little if at all any inconvenience to voters.

I’m not sure that I agree with what critics say about this proposition. As you pointed out, critics think that it would be a burden for voters. I think that is ridiculous. Most people are required to show their ID many things that they do throughout the day such as going to the bank, or showing ID for a package at the bank, or showing an officer an ID when getting pulled over. Its not like they are asking people to get a new identification card or anything, its something that everyone carries, or should carry, on a daily basis. It does not provide any new inconvenience for voters. There is absolutely no reason this law shouldn’t be passed. It is good to keep the right people voting on election day. The controversy over this proposition is ridiculous to me. I agree with you when you say that this law should have been enacted a long time ago. It ensures that the right people are voting- the people that are registered and American citizens.