The Power to Change

There are few times when such a small group can define the very fate of our nation. This November the college vote will decide the fate of our nation.  The New York Times came out with an article today about the impact of the college vote and how it will define the outcome of the nation and state elections.

"How and whether millions of college students vote will help determine if Republicans win enough seats to retake the House or Senate, overturning the balance of power on Capitol Hill, and with it, Mr. Obama’s agenda. If students tune out and stay home it will also carry a profound message for American society about a generation that seemed so ready, so recently, to grab national politics by the lapels and shake." The New York Times

Rarely do students or young adults truly have the bargaining chips that they do in this election. The pivotal nature of these elections mean that the powers to be will have to listen to young adults to get our votes. So the question arises what will the voices of college students call for?  As the Seattle Time reported, voter apathy among the youth is normally high so with this close election will college students understand the power they have before its to late?

"Drawing voters to a midterm election is always a challenge. Although the entire U.S. House of Representatives is up for grabs, and roughly a third of the Senate — plus legislative seats and decisions on state ballot measures — midterm elections don't generate the attention presidential elections do." The Seattle Times

The big question is with the importance of this election will college students take the reigns and decide the fate of our nation or will other define the future our on nation for us?

Responsibility the Crime of Our Time

With the deficit climbing the powers to be had a great idea, tax every movement of your money. Suddenly the cash in the shoe box doesn't look so odd.

"One idea for raising taxes to pay down the debt is the bill introduced this February by Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.). His “Debt Free America Act” (H.R. 4646) would impose a 1 percent “transaction tax” on every financial transaction — whether paid by cash, credit card or any form of financial transfer, the only exception being transactions involving the purchase or sale of stock. Theoretically, everyone would pay one cent on the dollar for every such transaction in America every day — whether $3 million on a $300 million business acquisition, $300 on the purchase of a $30,000 car, or $5 on a $500 ATM withdrawal."--The Hill

Also the federal government had another great idea! Rumors are circulating that confiscation of 401ks and IRA's might fix the budget!

"On August 26, the US Department of Labor issued a news release (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/2010/ebsa082610.html).  It lists the agenda for the joint hearings being held with the Department of Treasury September 14-15, 2010 on what is euphemistically called “lifetime income options for retirement plans.”  The hearings are being conducted by the Labor Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration." news.coinupdate.com

Articles like this make me excited for my future after college (sarcasm). The people in power are going to keep trying to find ways to "decrease" the deficit. There game plan so far is to sacrifice our future for the "preservation of the present". If we don't get involved soon, if we don't let them know in November, who knows what they will try next. I just can't wait till they find a way to tax the shoe box under my bed. 

The Silence Before the Storm

Bumbershoot is only THREE days away. The volunteers have signed up, the gear is in, so come by our booth during bumbershoot to see what all the fuss is about. If Washington State University was is an example to things come, then our booth is going to be a big hit. At WSU in there hours 90 new members! So stop by our booth (we are by the beer garden) to play a game of water bong and get a sweet Freedom T-shirt.   Buy your tickets today for bumbershoot today by clicking on the link below!

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