SkimIt
Young Voters Speak Out: Each day, RR.com will spotlight politically minded youth writers from throughout the U.S. speaking their minds on Election 2012. First-time voters, student journalists and new graduates will debate the Obama vs. Romney race to the White House. Young Democrats, Republicans and ‘Undecided’ Americans are eager to play politics and choose the next Commander & Chief.
Read James Gibbons' thoughts from a right-leaning perspective:
It was finally time for President Barack Obama to address the nation and make an appeal for his reelection. It was a great speech but nothing more. Great speeches don't fix the country. Instead they can do the opposite. Once again Obama has managed to capture the attention and vote of a portion of the population that is hurting and vulnerable. If only his speech rang true.
Playing by the Same Rules
This was a theme of the speech as well as a motif in the campaign. Obamacare does not accomplish this goal. I previously mentioned the exemptions for companies that can ignore the law, but the 2000- plus page document still ultimately favors the health insurance industry.
College Tuition 101
The President promised to help cut the cost of college tuition in half within ten years. So if he is to stand by this promise, then the President must stop giving away money arbitrarily for students to attend. While this may sound harsh, simple economics clearly shows that tuition rates rise because there will always be money to pay for it. This money comes from the government. If Obama wants to cut tuition, stop throwing money into the pockets of universities and they will have to lower rates.
War and Peace (and Drones)
Under President Obama the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have both done one thing; they are no longer issue number one. The number of deployed troops has declined but Obama has failed to mention his new war. This is a technological war beyond most Americans understanding. It involves drones; unmanned aircraft capable of killing. Deploying more drones than any president, there are those who have called Obama the Drone President. Omitting this reality was dishonest.
Most of Obama's supporters all had goosebumps during his speech. He is a solid orator and adding music to his entrance and exit elevated the spectacle's theatrics. It was a great speech. And great to be reminded that genuine hope does not lie with him.
