Our country has sent an unmistakable signal that we want change, but moreover, we have sent an unmistakable signal that we have changed.  America has just proven that it has moved past the obstacle of race in favor of a new agenda.  This agenda is born out of our shared values as a nation and that which is common to all mankind, the hope for a better future.  Let us all hope that this election is the first step towards giving ourselves and our children the gift of that better future.

So what are we likely to see in an Obama administration?

We are likely to see more spending on education, including greater accessibility of student loans and large investments in early childhood education.  We are likely to see increased funding for renewable energy technology development (wind, solar, geothermal), bio-fuels, and energy efficient technology.  We are also likely to see a large investment in energy infrastructure, including updating America’s power grid to a digital smart grid and building more nuclear power plants.  Spending on public works projects like new roads, bridges, and public transportation will also increase.

As far as national security and foreign policy, we should see a reduction in military spending in an Obama administration, starting with a timely withdrawal from Iraq.  We should see less of a US military presence in Iraq and more of a presence in Afghanistan.  I think there will be more emphasis placed on human intelligence, covert activity, and international cooperation.  I see less saber rattling and less of an emphasis on large, standing armies.  Our relationship with Pakistan could change significantly under Obama as he has advocated for a more aggressive approach towards Waziristan.  I’ll also make a bet that Guantanamo is closed within the first 180 days.

Health care costs should go down to the tune of $2,500 a year for the average person.  Small business should also get some relief in the form of tax breaks for employee healthcare coverage.

His tax policy favors the middle class with a tax cut for people making less than $200,000 a year (applies to small businesses), and a tax increase for people making $250,000 or more (applies to small businesses).  We’re sure to see more regulation of the financial and real estate sectors, but that would have happened regardless of who was president.

Of course, these were campaign promises, and we all know how candidates always keep their campaign promises, right?  (Hopefully this guy will be different)

A couple of parting shots; wild speculation for fun really:

Rumor has it that Rahm Emanuel has been tapped as Obama’s Chief of Staff.  If that’s the case, the President will indeed have a very smart man watching his back.

If I had to put money on it, I’d say Bill Richardson will be our new Secretary of State.

And last, but not least, I see Bill at the World Bank and Hillary as the new “Lion of the Senate”.

This is indeed an historic election.  We’ve got two wars an economic crisis and we’ve got global challenges like terrorism, poverty, and global warming.  American anxiety is high, and many have felt for some time that they are helpless to change things.  Well, I say now is that time.

Go brave the long lines at the polls.  Make a phone call, send an email, or shoot a text reminding friends to do the same.  Remind people that the 2000 election came down to 537 votes in Florida (not counting the Supreme Court decision).  My grandmother constantly reminds me of how much others before us had to struggle for the right to vote, both minorities and women alike.  Let nothing stop us or divide us.  Let us go to the polls together as Americans and participate in our cherished process.  Voting is the engine of democracy.  This thing doesn’t run if you don’t grease the wheels.  So do your patriotic duty, and moreover, give yourself a right to be mortified or ecstatic at the result.

I’ve often heard the phrase, “Freedom isn’t free”.  Usually it’s said in reference to the war in Iraq, but today I’d like people to think about it in a different context.  While others join the peace corps or the ranks of our military which keeps each and everyone of us safe, all that’s asked of us American citizens, who remain in this country and enjoy all the freedoms it provides, is that we use our voice to demand of democracy what we want from it.   That we cast our ballot and keep this wonderful experiment of ours going.  Will you use your voice to keep our country strong?

Please, GO VOTE TODAY!

When I ask friends why they don’t vote, I always get one of two answers:

1)    “I don’t like either of them.”
2)    “My vote doesn’t count anyway.”

I understand the frustration of having to choose between two politicians whose lips are spouting misleading statements when they’re not kissing babies.  Indeed, presidential campaigns more closely resemble the circus than a democratic process.  And the primary process often produces the lowest common denominator because the party machinery tends to support party hacks who fit their mold, even when another candidate is more popular nationally (see John McCain in 2000).  But this is no excuse not to vote. …read more of The Importance of Voting here

With former Vice President Al Gore having stepped up as a de facto figurehead for environmentally sustainable development, it seems appropriate to ask what the next VP of the United States can and will do for “green” issues. The VP is granted no executive power by the constitution, but—along with deciding tie votes in the Senate and the potential for an unfortunate promotion—can act as an agent of the President in whatever roles the President sees fit. …read more of Can the Vice President Affect Change? here

Sarah Palin considers herself an expert on energy policy.  Moreover, John McCain considers her an expert on energy policy.  He’s stated on many occasions that her chief responsibility as vice-president will be to spearhead our energy policy and forge the path to American energy independence.  In her first major policy speech on energy, Governor Palin today said that “we have the resources to be energy independent.”

If we are talking about human resources and ability, I completely agree.  Americans indeed, have the technological ingenuity and can-do spirit to be energy independent.  But unfortunately, I think Governor Palin was referring to oil and natural gas resources.  Perhaps someone ought to tell her that there are two very important reasons why we can’t “drill” our way to energy independence:

1)    we simply don’t have a big enough domestic oil and natural gas supply
2)    the climate crisis is far too serious to continue to rely on fossil fuels

According to the 2008 BP Statistical Review of World Energy the US has 2.4% of the world’s proven oil reserves, but consumes 24% of the world’s oil.  It also shows that the US has 3.4% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves, but consumes 22.6% of the world’s natural gas.

These are the facts.  It’s irresponsible to assert, or even imply that the United States can ever produce enough oil or natural gas from domestic reserves to meet our demand.  If “drill baby drill” constitutes the bulk of Governor Palin’s energy policy it’s not much of an energy policy.  We simply don’t have it, and I am disturbed by her statements to the contrary because they’re misleading at best.

James Hansen, one of the world’s foremost climatologists and head of NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies, estimates that at current carbon output levels, the world has approximately 10 years before we reach a “tipping point” and global warming permanently exceeds the reaches of man’s control.  If the climate crisis is even half as serious as Dr. Hansen asserts, we should be doing as much as we possibly can to move towards renewable and low-carbon energy production.  “But Palin made only a passing reference to solar power in her speech and instead renewed her call for more drilling in US coastal waters.”

This type of posturing may be politically expedient, but it lacks substance as an energy policy.  In fact, it’s down right irresponsible given the reality of US domestic oil and natural gas supplies, and the seriousness of the climate crisis.