Beyond technology: know what is going on in the world
Posted by The Skyliner on April 7th, 2010Julie Cobb
Staff Writer
In a society full of technological advances like the Internet, iPhone and BlackBerry, one would think that its citizens would be more aware of what is going on in the world.
Instead, Americans seem to know next to nothing about the ins and outs of government legislation, economics and world events. So I am going to try my best to clear up certain issues.
Let’s start with government legislation. According to Rasmussen Reports, 41 percent of those surveyed were in favor of the health care bill passed by the House of Representatives on March 22. Americans were told that the health care bill would cut costs in the long run, but if you do the math, it does not add up.
“The Congressional Budget Office indicates if they were to calculate all 10 years of spending, the true cost would be $2.3 trillion,” said Robert Horst, a professor of economics at North Greenville University.
A bill that was supposed to cost $371 billion over a 10-year period is actually going to cost $2.3 trillion.
“The key problem seems to be that the bill doesn’t seem to reduce costs. The chief actuary at Medicare claims the bill will increase Medicare expenses by some $222 billion over 10 years. This, at a time when Medicare is in dire financial straits,” said Horst.
If Americans really understood the bill, then they would not be so quick to accept it.
Next it’s on to economics, a subject not many people truly understand.
After surviving the worst economic recession since the 1930s, most economists agree the economy is on the up and up, while Americans are split. According to a Jan. 1 poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports, 50 percent of those polled believe we will still be in a recession by the end of 2010, 20 percent say America will be out of the recession and 31 percent are not sure. Unfortunately, there may be a few more bumps in the road. Consumer spending is still below average, and if the economy is going to continue to grow, this needs to change.
Last but not least, let’s take a look at world events.
According to a poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports in February, 27 percent of Americans believe the U.S. should take action against Iran. The U.S. and Israel are pushing for more sanctions against the stubborn Islamic nation, but Iran continues to ignore the warnings to stop their nuclear weapons program.
In a press interview, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated to the West, “Rest assured that your efforts will be fruitless.”
Ahmadinejad continues to advance the nuclear program and will not stop unless he is forced.
I will leave you with one final statistic. According to Rasmussen Reports, only 27 percent of U.S. voters believe that the U.S. will continue to be the most powerful nation in the world. This is one statistic that I happen to agree with.
If Americans continue to take no interest in political, economic and world events, the U.S. will not be the leading nation. It is up to you to be aware, make a difference and have your voice heard.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 10