High gas prices have halted my spending toward many resources, and although I’ve found different ways to cut back, I’m optimistic about the high prices and find it to be a blessing in disguise.

As a result of the price hikes, Congress and the president will be forced to be more diligent and focus on energy efficiency as a core issue. Indeed, there will be gimmicks that many of those who favor continuing our addiction to oil will attempt in persuading people in a negative way.

For example, regarding offshore drilling, President Bush and Sen. John McCain will speak in support of these efforts and find a way to frame our thinking that this will benefit us immediately toward lowering gas prices, but it won’t because consumers won’t reap rewards until five years from now.

What have people done to cut back? They have taken an extra job, canceled an extra bill (cell or home phone or cable), gotten rid of one car in a two-car family, or dumped the SUV for a hybrid car. Ridership on public transportation has risen, many folks are purchasing mopeds, and people are biking and walking more.

Sadly, there have been negative effects from the price hikes: job loss, especially with the closing of SUV plants, airlines and gas stations; and many folks will become jobless because they won’t be able to afford going to and from work or even be able to search for a job.

Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama differ on their energy policies.

The lurking question for most folks is: “How is Sen. Obama going to pay for his programs?” Folks had the same concerns about Gov. Deval Patrick during his gubernatorial run in the fall of 2006, yet Gov. Patrick proved many people wrong by passing a balanced budget during his first fiscal year, and a lot of people were shocked because they assumed that Democrats were tax-and-spend.

Sen. Obama’s plan to pay for his proposed programs will be ending the war in Iraq, closing corporate tax loopholes, and reversing the disastrous tax cuts that President Bush instituted for the top 1 percent of wealthy folks.

Remember, when Bill Clinton was president, there was a balanced budget and rich folks were happy. Sen. Obama plans to roll back the tax cuts that were installed during the Clinton administration.

So, for folks who keep saying that he won’t be able to pay for the programs, Sen. Obama has assured a “pay as you go” method. Programs won’t be initiated unless he can fund it. Sen. Obama has talked about the importance of fiscal responsibility, and he doesn’t want to run a tax-and-spend presidency.

Originally posted in The Standard-Times newspaper,  SouthCoastToday.com – Posted June 21, 2008 1:05 AM

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This is in response to the excellent op-ed, “America is now the Promised Land,” by Ross M. Grace Jr., published June 7. I hope that those paying attention will respond to his message, and I’m confident that the bulk of those who are dissatisfied with the status quo are going to vote in November.

But for those who won’t vote, that is a big mistake. When people don’t vote, their voice isn’t heard. As Mr. Grace pointed out, there are women who fought to get women the right to vote, and civil rights leaders who died, were jailed and beaten in order to get minorities the right to vote.

My friend Marilou, who is in her late 50s, pointed out to me that not voting is a big part of the problem and does nothing to solve problems in this country. Also, you can’t complain about what you allow.

Now that the Democratic primary season is over, I urge readers to get to know the candidates for this November. They are Bob Barr (Libertarian candidate), John McCain (Republican), Barack Obama (Democrat) and Ralph Nader (Green Party).

As Mr. Grace and others have done so far, I urge those reading this to write opinion letters throughout this campaign season to talk about the candidate they are choosing and why.

Information about where to vote is available by going to www.wheredoivotema.com (from the secretary of the commonwealth). Enter a home address and it gives the polling station as well as the representatives and information on how to get registered to vote in November.

Visit the candidates’ Web sites, as well as their YouTube sites. The excellent thing about the presidential candidate-centered YouTube channel is that the candidates are posting the majority of their “town hall” meetings and personal messages to voters.

Don’t sit home this election year. Everyone should make their voice heard on Nov. 4.

Originally posted in The Standard-Times newspaper,  SouthCoastToday.com – Posted June 13, 2008 12:00 AM

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