First Presidential Debate: What was said and what is truely important

Every four years America is encounters the arduous process of electing a president to office. What makes this process so difficult is trying to sift through the candidate's speeches in search of their true views on the issues. Most of what is said is usually words and phrases meant to appeal to the audience, but lack true meaning and promise. Well with this last debate, I viewed a muddy conversation that was filled with much finger pointing, but little true discussion about the issues. Because of this, I am going to try to outline and identify how the candidates stand on the important issues of this 2012 election. 

This first debate focused on the Domestic Issues of America. As the candidates walked into frame and greeted each other with a firm handshake and bright smiles, I knew that this debate was going to be filled with drama. On a side bar, I always want to know what the candidates say to each other during their greeting and departure at the beginning and end of the debates. Are they truly nice to each other, or is that when they talk smack to their competitor? It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall during that moment.

Anyways, back to the debate, President Obama and Romney started the debate by outlining how they would address job creation for America. With the economy emerging for one of the most troubling economic times in recent history, a large number of Americans (myself included) are having troubles finding a job and retaining it for an extended period of time. Obama addressed this issue first by saying that during his administration 5 million jobs have been created for American citizens. Obama continued by describing how he desires to invest in education and training classes available at community colleges. This would be accomplished through programs like his Race to the Top program that strive to improve skills of the student, resources for the students, and create teaching jobs. If he were to be able to do this, Obama believes that it would spur the economy by providing more qualified workers to be hired. Additionally, Obama said that he would support changing the tax code in order to help small businesses. He desires to lower the corporate tax rate to 25% for manufacturing companies while also closing loopholes for companies that send jobs overseas. Obama said he would provide tax breaks to companies that invested in domestic growth. He wishes to go back to the tax rates held during the Clinton administration, when America last had a surplus. 

Romney outlined how he would address job creation in a five-part plan. First, Romney said he would support and encourage the US becoming energy independent. Next, he would open trade in Latin America and China creating more outlets for business opportunities. Thirdly, Romney would make sure that people have good education skills and better ranking schools available nationwide to foster the economic growth. Then, Romney would get the US to a balanced budget. Lastly, Romney said he would champion small businesses to create more jobs for the everyday American. Romney agreed with Obama, and said that he desires to provide tax relief to the middle class. It was pointed out, however, that Romney's plan for compensating for tax cuts by closing loopholes and deductions is not realistic, and that it would actually add $2000 more to the middle class tax burden. 

The debate then continued on to the issue of federal debt. Romney began this section of the debate by saying that he thought of debt as a moral issue. It should not be the desire of a moral person to spend more money than they have available, and then pass the debt of their economic errors down to the younger generation. Romney outlined the common sense three step method to fix the federal debt: raise taxes, cut spending, and expand the economy. Romney said his test for reformatting the economy would be to ask himself whether or not a program in question was worth borrowing money from another country to finance. If it does not pass this question, then Romney would get rid of the program. He also said that he would take different programs, and if they can be run at the state level, would move them there. Thus, in Romney's eyes, he would make the US government more efficient by combining programs and cutting the number of employees. 

Obama explained his method of dealing with national debt by first saying that when he entered office, he inherited a huge debt from two wars being paid on a credit card, tax cuts, and programs unpaid for during an economic crisis. Obama then said that he restricted 77 programs, cutting $1 trillion from the budget, and put forth a $4 trillion deficit reduction plan. {I cannot guarantee that these statements are totally true. There has been a lack of fact checking during this election.}

The debate then turned to the issue of entitlements. Obama ensured people that the government knows the necessity of social security and Medicare for elderly people nationwide, and that these two benefits are strengthened by not overpaying insurance companies. Obama also said that the money set aside for social security and Medicare is used to decrease the medication costs and hospital fees. However, Obama did not address the fact that the probability of social security and Medicare being available for younger generations is extremely low.  

Romney, on the other hand, is not proposing any changes to the current social security or Medicare systems, but is offering an optional alternative for people to select if desired. Romney said that every time Obama decreases the amount of money given to insurance companies and hospitals, the number of people that can be treated decreases because of the lower funds available. Therefore, Romney and Ryan proposed a voucher program, called Premium Support, in which a voucher is given to a person so that they can get insurance no matter their health status. Through this program, however, there is the possibility that Medicare could in fact collapse, due to accumulated costs, putting seniors at the mercy of private insurance companies after all. The voucher program still keeps the option open for younger people if they have no other way of obtaining insurance. 

Then, the hot button issue of healthcare/Obamacare was hit upon. Romney began by making it clear that he supported the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. He proclaimed that Obamacare would in fact cost more money than traditional insurance costs putting more of a strain upon the American citizens. Romney also did not like how Obamacare puts in place an unelected board that tells people what kind of treatment they will be allowed. Romney also cited that 75% of small businesses said that under Obamacare, they are less likely to be able to offer their workers insurance. Romney believes that a healthcare plan needs to be crafted at the state level in order to suit the state's needs individually. He believes that if a healthcare plan is enacted at the state level, then the problems of the state will be able to be focused on while decreasing costs to the people. However, Romney was unable to describe how he will replace Obamacare if he is elected. He was unable to outline any details and instead said that is was "complicated".

Obama tried to explain the purpose of Obamacare more clearly. First, he said that if you currently have health insurance, the government would not take over. You can keep your own healthcare provider and doctor. Obamacare just tries to make sure that the insurance companies don't take advantage of you and offer rebates if the company spends more administrative time on your case than care for you. Secondly, if you do not have health insurance, a group plan is created through Obamacare that allows you to benefit from group rates 18% lower than the private market. Obama also clarified the issue of the healthcare board within Obamacare, stating that it is a group of healthcare experts who determine how costs can be decreased for the betterment of the public. Romney, however, did point out that if Obamacare is passed, up to 20 million people could loose their insurance provider, and 30% of Americans could be dropped from their coverage. {Fact check this. I do not know if these figures are correct.}

The debate moved on from here to the issue of the role of government. Obama gave the presidential response, saying that the government's job is to keep the American people safe. Obama said the government is also to create opportunity and gateways for its citizens, while fostering the education of every citizen. Romney echoed many of these sentiments, quoting parts of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. While protecting life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Romney said that he would ensure that the American military would be second to none. Romney also included the idea that the government should maintain its commitment to religious tolerance and freedom. 

Lastly, the candidates talked about the issue of partisan gridlock that the American government has been experiencing recently. Romney said that he would sit down with members from each party on his first day in office in order to discuss issues and challenges that need to be addressed. He said that throughout his term if elected, he would work on a collaborative basis as he has done as governor of Massachusetts. This, however, could be a more difficult task than Romney thinks. 

Obama assured the public that he takes ideas from anybody, no matter their party affiliation. He cited Obamacare, stating that it originally was an idea from a Republican, and grew through bipartisan efforts. Obama, however, asserted that sometimes a person has to say "No" and stand up for their beliefs when it comes to ideas they are passionate about. This shed some light on the difficulties that the US government has experienced in the past months between the President and Congress. 

With closing remarks from both candidates about how the spirit of the country inspires them daily, the candidates ended their first debate with unsure messages. At times, this debate reminded me of a fight between two teenage girls over a boy they both liked. Due to the bickering and incessant talking when they were told to stop, Obama and Romney left me more confused at the end of the debate than I was at the beginning. There are two more debates between the Presidential candidates and on between the VPs. I will cover all as non-bias as possible. I hope this helps y'all understand, and if you have any comments, just post them. Thanks and Gig Em.