United Nations: Are We Really United?

Yesterday the Palestine Authority got voted into the United Nations. It doesn't get to vote, but it is recognized as a state. One hundred thirty-eight countries voted for Palestine, nine voted against, and forty-one abstained. This is turning into a pretty big deal from the U.S. perspective. The NY Times called it "a blow" to the United States.

Here's the deal: I don't understand why the U.S. feels like it gets to be upset that Palestine is getting recognized. We completely took their land after World War II to make Israel. How is it a surprise that they're upset? Granted, taking other peoples' land is something the U.S. is really good at, but why is it that we feel like we should decide whether or not Palestine gets to be part of the United Nations?

The more countries in the United Nations, the better! The whole point of the UN is to "unite nations," isn't it? I feel like the U.S. is that popular girl who is a major diva and tells other people not to talk to "that new girl" or something. Why can't we just get over ourselves and accept other people? It's not that hard.

Today I'm going to go out and mingle with people. I am going to say "hi" to five strangers. I think the more united our local communities are, the more united and tolerant our country will be. I challenge you to say "hi" to five strangers today! In our culture it's not normal, but you know, it's not too hard to start.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." --Gandhi

"No Party Lines"

I know that many of you reading this have already made up your minds about who you're going to vote for in the presidential election. I was, however, thinking about the candidates' plans and this is what I've come up with: they both want the same things, they just want to take different routes to get there.

"5 Point Plans" and "6 Point Plans" have become a core part of this election. Here's what both candidates' plans look like:

Mitt Romney
1. Energy: Achieve energy independence by using the resources we have on this continent.
2. Trade: Have "trade that works for America" by making sure that other countries don't cheat when they trade.
3. Education: Better schools (public schools, colleges, and skills training).
4. Economics: Cut the deficit.
5. Small Business: "Champion small business" by lowering taxes on small businesses and the middle class, as well as getting rid of "Obamacare" and "replacing it with "real healthcare reform."

Barack Obama
1. Jobs: Create jobs in America by changing trade barriers.
2. Taxes: Change the code to cut the deficit.
3. Nation-Building: Rebuild at home and stop the wars.
4. Energy: Invest in American energy.
5. Education: Have more college graduates.
6. Healthcare: More access and lower costs.

So, if we take these plans and combine them, here's what it looks like (Red = Romney, Blue = Obama, Purple = Both):
Energy: Invest in the resources we have on our continent.
Education: Better schools, especially higher education institutions.
Economics: Cut the deficit.
Nation-Building: Lower taxes to champion small business so we can rebuild here at home.
Trade: Have trade that works for America by changing the trade barriers.
Healthcare: There is no overlap on this. Not sure why, since "Obamacare" is essentially "Romneycare," but in these plans, there is no common ground except for the fact that both candidates think they have the best answer for our healthcare problem.

By looking at this, it seems like both candidates want the same things. Back when the United States was founded, the president was the candidate who got the most votes and the vice president was the candidate who got the second most votes. I know that this isn't going to happen now because we have running mates, but it sure shows a willingness to cross party lines once the election is over to get things done.

In the last couple of days, both candidates have been flying the "there-are-no-party-lines" flag. If there are really no party lines, then come together. Stop airing the attack ads. Appear together at a function to help the victims of Sandy.

I'm not saying that these candidates are equal in how they're going to run the country. I'm saying that they need to acknowledge the validity of the other candidate's platform, though. They are literally saying they want the same thing on 5 out of 6 of the points on their "Plans."

I am very aware that there are a bunch of social issues that are not on these plans on which they disagree by immense amounts, but they're not talking about those. Sure, every now and again Obama mentions the repeal of DADT and getting to "marry who you love," but that's not what he's running on. This is a very economic-minded election and their plans both reflect that.

I think if Sandy has taught us anything, it's that we never know what's going to happen tomorrow. Cross party lines. If you have friends or family who are die-hard supporters of the "other" candidate, have dinner with them and talk about good things. We're not all that different from each other.

Take this weekend to get out there and make that last push for your candidate; but make the push for your candidate, not against the other candidate.

Stay safe, stay strong.

"Be the change you wish to be in the world." --Gandhi

Face-to-Face campaigning is the most effective. Here is my "Face-to-" campaign photo.
Share your "Face" campaign photo to complete the cycle.

Politicians Just Want to Help

I've been working on the Obama campaign for about a month now. It has been one of the most interesting experiences I've ever had! Most of the times when I go into the campaign office, there is such a high level of excitement and hope. The people who work there, myself included, are so sure that President Obama is going to continue to help the people of the United States!

I don't, however, like all parts of the campaign. Some of it is so negative! The campaign ads are infuriating. I can't believe that the Obama campaign put one out earlier this week about Big Bird! The fact that he is spending campaign money on Romney's silly comment instead of telling us what he is going to do to continue to work with the American people is very frustrating to me.

Getting frustrated at the same time you believe so strongly in something makes only one thing look like the solution: getting involved! I don't have a degree in political science or anything related to economics or anything, but I would really like to get more involved in local issues because I would like to help people get what they need and help make the world a better place, and what better place to start than your own community?

Thinking about why I want to get more involved in politics made me think about the reasons the politicians we already have got involved in politics in the first place. Every congressman, congresswoman, judge, president, governor, etc. that I can think of has told us that they got involved because they wanted to help people and lead our communities in the "correct" direction. While we don't all agree on which direction is the "correct" direction, we're all in this for the same reason: to help people. Seeing the campaign ads that tell us what a horrible person the "other guy" in the race is, is incredibly sad to me because if you look at the other person for who they are, he or she is in this for the same reason you are.

Take today to appreciate the people around you for who they are, even if they don't agree with you, especially if they don't agree with you! I have people in my own family and inner circle of friends who are die-hard conservatives. I don't agree with most of their views, but I understand why they have them and why they think those views are valid. There is no reason that I should tell them they're wrong or they should tell me that I'm wrong in my own views. We all have our own views on a bunch of different issues, but at the end of the day, we can all unite in the fact that we want the best for ourselves and our children.

Have a great weekend!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." --Gandhi