2012 Presidential Election
2012 Presidential Election
Introduction
The United States is looming with the upcoming general election. There are several issues that will dominate the results of the presidential election. The areas to be impacted are several among them; the economy, debts, budgets, spending and unemployment among others.
Issues that would impact the 2012 Presidential Election
The most notable issue on every one’s mind is how the economy will impact the forthcoming 2012 US presidential election. Considering the initial financial crisis in 2008, the budget shortage, huge unemployment and the increase of the national budget, the GDP dropped by 4%leading to massive spending to counter the financial recession hence leading to budget shortage nearing $1.7 trillion (Groome, 31 May 2011). The shortfall spending that has been ongoing since 2002 has led to $14 trillion in national debt this has led to high import price and overall souring economic growth.
President Obama made efforts to reduce this shortage through budget cuts of more than $30 billion in government spending. This would limit the shortage by several trillions. After being forced to let the budget pass through, the Obama administration was set to improve the total package to $4 trillion, there is still disagreement on the programs to cut.
The other most notable impact will be the unemployment rate which has increased due to the recession. According to the US statistics, the rate of unemployment has declined by 0.8% in 2010 meaning almost 14 million people are looking for employment with 6 million people having been unemployed on a long term basis. The Obama administration has made efforts to relieve the weakness in the economy by inspiring the improvement of the economy and lead to economic growth by using the American Recovery and Reinstatement (ARRA) package by the government almost hitting $800 billion (Leader, 12 September). Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report states that the package has led to improved GDP in the region 1% and 4% and has led to improved employment standards in the region of 1.4% million and 3.5 million. It hence brings out the thought that the package of reducing the tax, government assistance, construction spending and improved safety-net necessities has reduced the poor impact of the financial crisis on several individuals.
With the not so long proposed budgets have desired to reduce the significant government programs, an aspect of the budget not affected is the defence spending. The US defence spending has taken up major part in the whole budget, in the Bush administration this increased greatly. The enlarged spending by the defence department is brought about by the need by the administration to apply military force. In the Obama administration defence spending has grown massively when compared to the past years. This has been attributed to the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq hitting a substantial $689 billion of the federal spending in the year 2010. This is a gross waste of financial aspects of the country which could have done more to assist the American citizen manage with the economic condition (Palmer, January 13th, 2012). With no guarantee to reduce defence spending or manage the on-going Bush tax trimmings, these same aspects of the budget are destined to impact in almost half of the public debt by 2019.
The on-going military excursion in Iraq and Afghanistan and the applied use of the military in Libya has the ability to move attention from advancement in the country and the extent of continued recovery may add as an advantage or a letdown for Obama’s presidential run.
Considering that the foreign policy is significant in the coming campaigns, the economy still remains central in the public’s eye as well as job creation. The death of the world’s greatest terror suspect, Osama bin Laden is a good public image for US. This may also lead to local desire to terminate the invasion in Afghanistan against the will of the administration. The US has been seen as invading, taking up and changing the societies they find. These efforts have not been correct and success has been quite far. Research by Pew, shows that the public has trust that developments in Iraq are being made. A wide extent of criticisms on the Obama administration on the foreign policy objectives would not be of benefit and overshadow any advancement made.
The greatest impact on the coming 2012 presidential elections in the US is the ruling made by the Supreme Court (the Citizens v. Federal Election Commission) in 2010 (SHUVALOV, 8. February 2011). The ruling goes against the restriction of corporate donations in the campaigns. In the time when presidential aspirants are set to collect several millions for their campaigns, the Supreme Court has issued the corporations the ability to offer donations to impact the presidential elections.
The founders of the structure of the constitution have laid caution of offering powers to the relevant groups and offered aspects of separation of powers and pluralism of supreme law to do away with this threat. This ruling goes against the union of power and threatens the primary doctrines of political freedom. Several quarters have spoken against this ruling, stating their displeasure and implications it would have on the autonomy of politics. This ruling would alter the system and favor financial-desires. Obama made his voice heard urging the legislature to limit this impact.
Conclusion
The varied impacts the stated here and several others are bound to affect the forthcoming presidential elections in the US. As seen some aspects are for the good while others are for the bad. Whatever the stand, the American person will have to make his or her voice heard by voting come November 2012.
Bibliography
Groome, F. (31 May 2011). The 2012 U.S. presidential election: the issues to dominate, distract and influence. Open Democracy.
Leader, M. (12 September). 2012 US presidential elections: possible impact on dollar and global economy. Business and Politics News.
Palmer, C. (January 13th, 2012). Economy, new voting laws will impact youth’s votes in 2012 election. USA Today College.
SHUVALOV, K. (8. February 2011). A Perspective of the 2012 American Presidential Election.
