Tomorrow...

I'm nervous. While the article was compelling, I can not wrap my brain around anything except the election until tomorrow is over. After a full two years (or maybe more) dealing with these campaigns, tomorrow is when the future of this country is decided. If you know me, you know where I stand. I am not one to withhold my opinions if they are ones that I hold with conviction. However, I do realize that many others do not share the same ideals and beliefs that I hold. Therefore, please go to ontheissues.org or factcheck.org to get all the information before you vote. There is even a quiz you can take to see which candidate you should vote for on the ontheissues website.

Along those lines, please vote. I know most of the people reading this are in the 18-25 age range. At our age it is difficult to tell how the election will really affect us. I know I had a hard time getting it in 04. To me, the candidates were too alike, too political, and utterly uninspiring. This year its different. The candidates are completely distinct from one another. They both are strong in their convictions. Who do you want in the Oval Office in January? You have to vote, or else you can't complain.

Now to the nitty gritty. I am supporting Obama. Why? Well, since we are going to be educators, lets look at how this election could affect us. Obama supports paying teachers more and treating them like professionals. He strives to get parents re-engaged into their children's education. He is looking for real commitment to education- not NCLB. You may think that all of this is just talk, but voting records can show more. Here is Obama's voting record:

First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007)
Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)

Overall, his voting record supports education. Now lets view McCain's voting record:

Unrestricted block grants--let states decide spending. (Feb 2000)
Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999)
Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

I'm not trying to say that McCain doesn't care about education. He does, as all of us do. However, the way he shows he cares is different than how most of us (I assume) think and believe. With respect to science, he thinks that teaching Creationism should be left up to each school district, along with Sarah Palin who believes that Creationism should be taught alongside evolution. On the other hand, Obama has said that evolution and science are not incompatible with the Christian faith. He supports teaching evolution in schools. Obama also supports sex education, while McCain voted yes for abstinence only education.

There are many more issues than education in the election that is happening tomorrow. I am voting for Obama because of the issues. I am also voting for him because of who he is. He is intelligent. He taught constitutional law in Illinois for 12 years. He understands what this country was built on. He agrees with teaching science in science class and leaving religion at home. He understands that drilling for a limited resource in an area where endangered species live is not the answer to our energy problems. He believes health care is a right and that something is wrong with our current system. Most importantly, he is inspiring. He brings a fresh perspective, a new voice. He is what we as a country need to change the ever growing problems we face.

I know who I'm voting for. Do you?