Key issues of the 2012 Elections

There are several major issues which will have an impact on the 2012 elections, not only in electing the President but also for electing our representatives and senators at the federal and state levels. The issues are not likely to go away anytime soon given their nature and complexity – issues like unemployment, budget deficits, taxes and the growth of government in our lives.

These are all going to be hot topics in any political discussions as exhibited by the first GOP Presidential Debate in New Hampshire. How individual candidates view these and their past records regarding these major issues will go a long way in determining who will be the GOP designated candidate to face President Obama. In the weeks and months to come, these issues will constantly be in the news, as will the various candidates who are known today and those who will enter the race in the near future. The public will be watching to know where each candidate stands on each issue. How candidates present their case as to what they would do differently and how they sell it to the public who will be making their voting decisions will be critical.

In terms of the issues identified it is not my intention to present any potential political candidates position as they are defined today. The purpose is to address the issues as they exist in the economic world in which we find ourselves today. I believe that unemployment is going to be a hot topic right up to Election Day. In the last few years we have lost millions of jobs as a result of the economic downturn, not only in our own country but around the world. How the candidates running for office address this critical aspect of the economy may well determine who will be elected at all levels of government local, state and federal. Unemployment situations are different in each state and the circumstances involved in each state require different approaches, though many actions may be similar.

Political candidates at all levels are aware of the public concern about the current rate of unemployment. Unemployment figures change each month. Some show improvement, though not as much as anticipated by those who predict what the rate will be. One of the problems with the unemployment rate is how it is determined. Those who are actually out of a job and not looking for work do not appear to be included in the figures, both in the percentage and the number actually unemployed. Unemployment figures need to be more accurate so actions taken can address the entire scope of the problem. When individuals decide to stop looking for a job, the question that needs to be asked is why. What circumstances have made thousands, if not millions of individuals, stop looking for work? Until this situation is addressed, I believe fixing the problem may be difficult if not impossible.

Another area of big concern to the public is the current level of budget deficits and the projection for the future. It is clear that some action, and maybe drastic action in some areas, needs to be taken to bring our financial house in order. Many factors are involved in addressing the current budget crises, including entitlement programs. Politicians are fearful of a backlash from the voting public if they make, what voters feel are, the wrong decisions. The voting public is not stupid, and they know that action needs to be taken with respect to entitlement programs. These programs take up a large percentage of the federal budget, and as such, actions to address our budget shortfalls will need to address entitlement programs. Those who are approaching retirement years, such as those individuals 55 and over, want and need to be assured that the funds they are dependent upon will be there for them.

Addressing entitlement programs in any budget deal must involve a logical analysis of all the factors. One of the biggest points of contention is the government spending more than it receives. This has been occurring for years, and has created the current financial crises that we are now facing. Many politicians from both parties have made suggestions about the issues involved with entitlement programs, but not many have taken bold steps to address the overall problem of cost projections. We elect our government officials to make the necessary decisions to address the needs of its citizens. This involves being responsible in the decisions they make, and taking responsibility for the decisions of the past. The spending decisions of the past are not limited to one political party. Both major political parties must address their mistakes and work together to make decisions necessary to correct those mistakes.

Another hot topic sure to be in the political arena during the election process, now taking hold on the public, is the issue of taxes. Changes need to be made in our tax structure to encourage businesses and organizations in private industry to hire workers. This is not likely to happen in the current environment as today there is uncertainty as to what actions will be taken with respect to our current tax structure. Some have proposed eliminating the IRS as part of revamping our tax structure. I feel this would be a mistake. There are going to some type of taxes, whether they are collected at the state or federal level, which needs to be monitored to ensure that the taxes in place are properly paid.

Some of the suggestions that have been discussed involve a fair tax system, which many individuals do not quite understand. Others are proposing to raise taxes for some income levels. Raising taxes in this type of economic situation is the last thing that should be recommended. Money is tight for businesses today and we want them to start hiring workers, but if their costs increase through higher taxes it would create less of an opportunity or incentive to hire more workers. It is without question, given the nature of the present economy, that some changes will take place in our current tax system. What those changes will be are unknown, and this situation causes businesses to be cautious in their decision making process. Let us hope the right decisions will be made which will give incentive to businesses to hire, by eliminating the unknown which affects their future.

The last subject, which already has been identified in the political spectrum as evidenced by some of the answers given in the first GOP presidential debate, is the growth of government. Government, under the Constitution has certain responsibilities, not the least of which is protecting the rights of its citizens as defined in the Constitution. Another aspect which seems to have become vague is the line between federal responsibilities and state responsibilities. The growth of government in the last several years has had an impact on the level of the deficit we are now experiencing. Growth for most organizations is a good thing, but when it involves the level of government structure, individuals start to ask questions. These questions are questions being asked by voters and if they are not happy with the response they receive they will show it in their votes come the next election.

The four subjects which have been presented and discussed in this article are by no means the only issues that will impact the next election. As the election process moves forward and as things change, other issues will surface. How all candidates address these issues in their campaigns will play a part in whether the voters are happy with their positions. Whatever positions are taken on the issues, candidates must prove, through their past actions and decisions, that this is where they have always been. Candidates who change positions on the issues must explain why they changed their position in a way that seems logical to voters. We as a nation must learn from our past. Insanity is the continuation of the same approaches, with the expectation of different results. If we do not learn from our past mistakes, history will continue to repeat itself.