"Obama-nomics": College Edition

So I got an e-mail the other day from FastWeb, which normally provides information about scholarships and internships but sends out the occasional newsletter.  This edition was all about President-elect Barack Obama and how his presidency will affect our "Virgin Voters" (although hopefully there aren't too many of you left out there after this monumental election).  Here's a summary, since you have to have a subscription to access many of the articles.

Obama has been repeatedly likened to JFK for his charisma and charm, but in revamping the Fireside Chat, he now draws allusion to another abbreviated president-- FDR.  Have a look at his chat on education.

No matter what your political leanings, there's no denying that Obama is a definite favorite among the youth of America... and that's exactly to whom he is speaking!

Another huge issue for college students is financial aid.  So here's a brief overview of what Obama plans to do for all us starving college students:

"American Opportunity Tax Grant 

Under Obama's American Opportunity Tax Grant, all Americans will receive $4,000, fully refundable, for their college education. This amount actually covers 2/3 of a first year at a public university and one whole year in community college costs. But you don't just get $4K for going to college; there is a 100 hours community service requirement.

Simplify the FAFSA
Insert huge sigh of relief. Obama proposes to replace the complicated FAFSA from with a check box on all tax forms that authorizes the use of tax information for financial aid purposes.

Early Assessment Program Funds
Some states have developed Early Assessment Programs for juniors in college. Basically, these programs assess the individual junior and determine whether he/she is prepared for college. If not, the program provides resources to get that student up to speed. Obama hopes to encourage EAP and will provide $25 million in matching funds for states that develop the programs.

Increase in Pell Grants
During his term as president, Obama hopes to maximize the Pell Grant to the amount of $5,400.

Community College Partnership Program
Conduct more analysis on types of skills and technical education that are in high demand from students and local industries
Create new associate of arts degree programs
Reward institutions that graduate more students and also increase number of transfers to four-year institutions

Student Loans
Obama hopes to eliminate the Federal Family Education Loan Program, which has a focus in private student loans and is more expensive."

source: FastWeb Resources ("Change... In Higher Education" by Katherine Knight)

For more on Obama's plan, here's another great article from Education.com.

For more help on paying for college, head on over to FastWeb to set up your account and start taking advantage of all the amazing scholarship opportunities.

The Most Important Stories You May Have Missed

The obvious headlines like "Obama Wins Presidency," are hard to miss, and I'm sure all you poli-sci buffs are well-versed on Obama's cabinet picks, but here are some stories you may have missed with all the hoop-la and fanfare over trivial issues like who will be the next leader of our struggling country:

What breed best suits the new first family?  Forget picking a secretary of state, Barack's next big decision will be: pitbull, rottweiler or poodle.  Or how about a pit-rot-oodle?  Of course, everyone from foreign diplomats to Jamie Foxx have an opinion on this topic.  But the real expert in this area?  Yes, that's right, the Dog Whisperer (aka Cesar Millan).  Dog guru and Oprah show regular, Millan has publicly delivered some of the world's best advice to our president-elect.  "The dog won't know he's Barack Obama and won the presidency," he says.  Gasp!  You mean a dog won't know that his master is the saviour of the United States?  Oh my goodness!

So what are we politically-minded, concerned citizens to do?  Get out the VOTE, again!  You to can be a part of presidential history and vote on the name of the first-dog-to-be by going to Bar(ac)k the Vote (my, how clever).  I'm personally in favor of Hope, or maybe Change, it's just such a tough call. (image from Tripawds.com)

Michelle, Barack and the Harmony Ring:  One of the foremost credible news sources in the world reported the Barack plans to purchase a $30,000 "Harmony" ring for his wife Michelle.  The news source I am of course referring to is the Daily Mail.  Apparently, Italian designer Giovanni Bosco will create the one-of-a-kind diamond-encrusted rhodium ring.  (For those two or three of you who don't know what rhodium is, it's a metal produced in South Africa and the most expensive in the world.)  The ring will reportedly be ready in time for the Mrs. to wear to the inauguration.

But then Gawker has the audacity to try to dispute this story!  They say, "President-elect Obama—allegedly a 'man of the people'—is allegedly buying a fancy $30,000 ring for his fancy wife, allegedly!"  The nerve!  You can just hear the words, dripping with sarcasm.  How dare they question the authority of the Daily Mail?  Well, come inauguration day, we'll just see who's right.

Pssst!  Hey Barack!  I hear you can shop for "Harmony rings" at Wal-Mart, and they're only $150-300!  (image from Gawker.com)

The White House is a Non-Smoking Zone:  Republicans everywhere have taken up a new cause: alerting the public to the fact that Barack Obama is still a smoker.  If they can't attack him politically, then dammit, they'll attack him personally.  Despite the fact that he's trying to quit, he admits to giving in to temptation from time to time.  That's it!  I knew it!  We should have elected John McCain.  It's much more likely that Obama will succumb to lung cancer or heart disease that McCain would have to the stress of the job at his age.

Even though Obama "says" he won't light up in the White House.  What's to stop him?  We need more accountability in our government.  We can cut defense spending and put security cameras in every hall way and multiple smoke detectors in every room.  (image from SavagePolitics.com)

Madame Secretary

Let bygones be bygones. At least that seems to be the case for President-elect Barack Obama and just-nominated Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

After a grueling primary season, during which each tried to discredit the other, and a backlash against Obama for not selecting Clinton as his running mate, the two seemed to have finally made amends.

Clinton's appointment as the United States' top diplomat, will require her to soon-to-be-President Obama's policy stance across to foreign leaders. Clinton will be, as both parties have made clear, a de facto Obama, at least in foreign policy relations.

While during the 2008 Democratic Primaries, Clinton and Obama attempted to display markedly different policy stances, each opportunistically highlighting particular instances or ideas (e.g., Obama time and time again pointed out that Clinton casted a vote in the Senate to send troops to Iraq, while he did not; Clinton criticized Obama's policy to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other leaders without preconditions), they have since tried to showcase a more unified, similar stance on foreign policy.

The extensive vetting process for Clinton to become secretary of state, required her to release detailed financial records, including those of her husband, former President Bill Clinton who revealed to have collected millions of dollars from overseas for speeches, which some say could be a conflict of interest for the secretary. Going above and beyond normal government protocol for the vetting process, Clinton is sure to play an extensive role in the Obama presidency.

As the new secretary of state, Clinton brings nearly eight years of Senate experience as well as extensive experience abroad. During her time as first lady, she has established connections overseas, visiting more than 80 countries, establishing relationships with both government and community leaders. The author of two books, It Takes a Village and Living History, Clinton graduated from Wellesley and Yale Law School.

Photo from ABC News.

The Obama Dream Team

In Foreign Policy magazine's current issue, they're running a story about who would be best suited for Obama's cabinet.  Here are a few suggestions I found interesting/ amusing:

"Arnold Schwarzenegger: Secretary for Energy and the Environment
The Governator has proven himself to be a get-the-job-done environmentalist who commands international respect. To address this increasingly vital area properly, the next president must view energy and the environment as two sides of the same coin."  --Christoph Bertram (image from biographyonline.com)

"Sarah Palin: U.S. Ambassador to Russia
The governor’s taste for hunting, plain-spoken talk, and foxy boots—not to mention long years of staring at Russia from Alaska—ensure a special relationship with Putin."  --Gideon Rachman (image from savagepolitics.com)

"Al Gore and Van Jones: Energy Security Council Co-Chairs
Because global warming is going to be catastrophic, we need to end our dependence on fossil fuels while simultaneously creating well-paid, green-collar jobs. No other nation has the power to get others to the table, and nobody can do it better than the former vice president and the founder of the advocacy group Green for All."  --Katrina Vanden Huevel (image from solarnavigator.net)
see the full article here

Of course, some of the other names being tossed around (both for serious and comedic consideration) include Hilary Clinton, Warren Buffet, Michael Bloomberg, Bill Bradley, Robert Gates, Steve Forbes and Suasan Rice.  You can vote for your top picks here.

Interview with the President Elect

ABC aired a Barbara Walters special interview with President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.  The interview covered everything from the flailing economy to the selection of a "first-puppy" for the incoming first family.  Here are some highlights from the interview, which you can watch here.

On the economic crisis:  Many feel that with the economy in the state that it is "the fate of the nation is riding on [Obama's] shoulders."  With so much pressure on one man, he says his biggest fear is "that the economy is so weakened already."  But he says that his plan involves assembling the best team possible and come out full force in January.

On people's expectations:  He built his campaign on the promises of change and the hope of solutions to problems we've been accruing over the past eight years.  But do people expect too much out of Obama?  "I can meet the expectation of a government that is competent and honest and can make the daily lives of our citizens better," he told Walters.  "If people see progress, then I will have met expectations."  But, he reminds us that, "I am not a miracle worker."

On the auto makers' plan:  Despite the dismal situation of US auto makers, corporate heads are still taking risks and accruing expenses.  Obama suggests an "ethic of responsibility," where  "the least you can do is say I'm willing to make some sacrifices as well because I recognize that there are other people worse off."  As for tax hikes on the wealthy, the theme is a net tax cut for working families, whereas "people like you and me, Barbara, can afford to pay a little more."

On his cabinet choices:  Though Walters badgered Obama about his possible choices to fill his cabinet, he would only say, "No one would come to my press conferences if I spill the beans on 20/20."  As to the accusations that he would name those from the Clinton administration, "we need someone with experience in dealing with economic depression... the change comes from the person in the oval office."

On foreign policy:  Turning the attention to foreign policy, Obama suggested a plan that would transfer more troops to Afghanistan go on the offensive instead of remaining on the defensive together with a plan for withdrawing from Iraq.  Though he ceded that we have made some improvements in Iraq, he made sure to highlight that our job is to make sure we leave behind an iraq with structural integrity.  He also emphasized the fact that our focus should be on getting Bin Laden and to stay focused on Al-Qaeda strongholds in Afghanistan.

On racist threats against him:  "Those who voted for or against me overwhelmingly judged me on the basis of my platforms," he said in the interview.  "At the margins of any society are the extremists, but they're not at the heart of what america is."  He also cited his religious faith as carrying him through the day.

On his mother and grandmother:  Obama said that he knew his mom would not have been surprised at his victory, but most certainly proud of how he did it.  It would have been his grandmother, instead, who was surprised at the outcome.

On his previous aspirations:  Before deciding on running for president, he had wanted to be an architect, basketball player and judge.  "The one thing I know I didn't expect was to be president," he said.

On his wife:  "Michelle grounds me.  She is my reality check... a constant reminder of why do I do this."

Highlights from the rest of the interview:

Who has the last word in arguments?  Michelle.  "Whatever you say, honey."

[pause for a lipstick check and witty banter between the Mr., the Mrs. and Walters]
About the children: Sasha is 7 years old and Malia is 10.  Malia plans to sit at the desk where Lincoln signed the Gettysburg Address to write "important papers."

Yes, the girls will make their beds and clean their rooms.

Yes, the girls will attend private school.

Yes, the girls do write letters to santa.

No, the Obama's do not spank their girls: "We don't have to."

Inauguration speech preview: a theme ofrebuilding the sense that we're all in this together
Thanksgiving at the Obama's: 60 people at the house (mostly Michelle's family), and spent the day before at a soup kitchen

Parting thoughts from Barack Obama: "I want to remind people that as tough as times are right now... that we have been through tough times before, and the extraordinary blessings of being an American... that is the greatest of gifts that we have to give thanks for."

PS: Please, stop sending pictures of your dog to the Obama's: "We're getting more advice on this than on my economic policies."

photo courtesy of ABC news

Getting it Right: Second presidential debate fact checker

In matters of truth, both candidates have had squabbles along the road. Following the vice-presidential debate, in which Gov. Sarah Palin had more than her fair share of factual slip-ups, and to be fair, Sen. Joe Bided did, too, the presidential candidates took the stage in there second of a series of three presidential debates.

Below are a few of the candidate's embroidered meanderings and slip-ups from the town hall-style debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

• Responding to a question about what the recent $700 billion bailout package will do to help ordinary Americans, McCain boasted about his résumé and the suspension of his campaign to deal with drafting the bill, while citing Obama as "the second highest recipient of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac money in history." Yeah, and in case you didn't hear him the first time, the contributions were the biggest, in, underscore, "... history." Too bad McCain made such a fuss over this alligation because, according to Free Republic, a grassroots, independent organization, Obama was not the second largest recipient of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac contributions, but the third.
  

• Addressing the hot-button topic of energy use, Obama advocated for new sources of oil and alternative energy, meanwhile he got stuck on the number. "I believe in the need for increased oil production," Obama said. "We're going to have to explore new ways to get more oil, and that includes offshore drilling. It includes telling the oil companies, that currently have 68 million acres that they're not using, that either you use them or you lose them." According Factcheck.org, a nonpartisan website devoted to politcal fact-checking, however. "those 68 million leased acres are not producing oil, but they are not necessarily untouch ... In 2006, the last year for which figures are available, there were more than 15,000 holes that were being proposed, started or finished, according to the Bureau of Land Management ... these acres of land that these holes sit on are not counted as being 'producing,' but they are far from untouched."

• We heard both the candidates talk themselves silly when it comes to earmarks and the role they play in terms of the federal budget. In the midst of all the facts and figures the candidates cited, some were, thankfully, correct, while others were just taken out of context.

Obama, explaining how he would get the U.S. out of debt, said we would need to look at the country's spending and revenue. He mentioned McCain's concern when it comes to earmarks, which Obama said account for $18 billion of the national budget. When it comes to how much we're spending on earmarks, Obama was indeed correct, according to an article on Forbes.com.

The Washington Post criticized McCain's continuous remarks on its fact checker. "McCain continues to make an issue out of earmarks, which are only a small part of the overall federal budget," Glenn Kessler wrote. "Earmarks are just $16 billion out of a more than a $2 trillion budget," indicating that McCain gave the issue of earmarks unnecessary attention.

• Politicians seem to have a knack for creating technology; first Al Gore created the Internet, McCain was the brain the BlackBerry and, now, Obama is crediting the government for creating the computer as a way to communicate. Speaking about American innovation, the Democratic presidential nominee said, "The computer was originally invented by a bunch of government scientists who were trying to figure out, for defense purposes, how to communicate." What Obama probably meant was the Internet. Communication had nothing to do with the first computers, which had nothing to do with making contact — in fact, they were a way for academics to isolate themselves further in their studies. And neither did the government: Apple and IBM were the pioneering companies when it came to the production of PC's, according to Wikipedia.
  

A litany of other fact checkers will pop up in the days and hours following the debates, so be sure to check them out.

The third and final presidential debate will take place Oct. 15 at Hofstra University.