Switched-On :: Blog

As you may have all heard Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday.  He was caught for saying he might be willing to pay money to Obama to gain appointment to Obama’s vacant Senate seat. Federal prosecutors released a document that included excerpts of wiretapped conversations in which the governor allegedly by offered to sell Obama’s Senate seat for campaign cash. Blagojevich is charged with conspiracy and solicitation to commit bribery. If punished he is most likely to serve up to 20 years in prison or 10 years minimum. To sum it up Blagojevich wanted to take Obama’s place in the Senate. He tried bribes to get it but was recorded and taken to prison. Now Blagojevich is debating whether he should resign or not.

Obama believes the Illinois General Assembly should consider how to fill the Senate seat and “put in place a process to select a new senator that will have the trust and confidence of the people of Illinois.”

If Blagojevich resigns which then will followed by an appointment of a new governor, would “be the most expeditious way for a new senator to be chosen and seated in a manner that would earn the confidence of the people of Illinois and all Americans,” wrote Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois. We will see what happens.

- Tatiana

As you all know the election on Tuesday was held. We all found out who was president elect. Everyone is happy that Barack Obama won!! Everyone was super excited on Tuesday and even the next day. You would see people in Obama T-shirts celebrating. Grant Park in Chicago was very crowded with happy Democrats.

I thought he made a great acceptance speech when we all found out that he had won. What stands out to me the most is when he said “The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.” We all know he promises change in America but as he said it will take a long time.

Also Obama being the first African American president brings up a lot of issues. He is expected to follow through his plans and if he doesn’t people will start to hate him. He is already a target in the racist community. He does have a lot of body guards so he is protected. Let’s just hope he changes America when he is president

- Tatiana

The US presidential election is less than a week away and I can hardly believe it. Just months ago, it wasn’t even clear who the Republican or Democratic nominees for president would be. The closing of the campaigns are either approaching fast or have already occurred, but there are still a lot of undecided voters who will probably be the ones to make the greatest impact on who will be the next president.

If you’re old enough to vote and have registered to vote but still can’t decide, reading what the candidates’ beliefs are as to the various issues in the campaign is a good place to start. However, just be warned that both of the candidates will always assert how their plan is better than that of the other candidate. It’s up for the voter to decide whether they agree with those beliefs and opinions.

What’s always been really annoying to me is when people attack you if you don’t agree with their positions on issues. Too many people from both major parties have tried doing that. Someone who supports Senator McCain isn’t necessarily a “racist”, nor is someone who supports Senator Obama necessarily a “terrorist”. While its realistic to assume that there will be some verbal abuse coming from both parties, let’s try not to follow that kind of attitude.

We should respect each other’s opinions and not resort to counterproductive name-calling, especially in an election as significant as this one.

-Allyson

Some of the most involved members of the US Presidential election campaigns have been youth; I know this because I see them everyday. All around my school I hear the spiels of youth volunteers for both major candidates. They’re probably what most people would consider politically aware people. But to be active in politics doesn’t mean you have to volunteer for a campaign.

Even if you’re not too impressed by either candidates or are too young to vote, its important to be at least aware of what’s happening. Issues that don’t seem to affect people directly might actually really be important in our lives. Issues like the “global financial crisis” or even changes to laws like the Safe Haven laws could affect many people. Just reading about those issues is the first step in being aware of what’s happening in the nation and the world.

I believe it’s important to be at least a little bit aware of those issues, because who knows, you or someone you know might be affected by how our representatives in government decide how to act on an issue.

- Allyson