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I have become keenly aware of the issues that face our country. I am not sure why these are not being fully addressed by those that are running for president. Until they FULLY address all of these issues I will have a hard time picking a candidate.

1. The economy - We are in a sorry state of affairs when it comes to the economy and anyone that wants to be taken seriously needs to address this issue. We need to find a way to strengthen the dollar, lower inflation and bring this country back to a world economic superpower.

2. The war and why we are there - Bottom line is that we need to be out of this conflict and fast. I know that means that Iran might invade or another dictator might take over, but at this point we can not stay and keep driving this country toward economic disaster.

3. Education - This goes without saying. We really need to move away from the PC values that are causing this countries education system to fail. The world needs ditch diggers and those that do not have ambition and drive are doomed to fail no matter what we do. So we have to prevent them from bringing the rest of the country down with them. We also need to move away from this archaic notion that everyone learns in a strict regimented fashion. I think that the brightest people learn better in a more free style manor.

4. Borders - It should be a privilege to live in this country. Those that do not want to learn the language and customs need to be sent away. If you sneak in you have committed a crime and you should be dealt with like a criminal.

5. Net neutrality - Our tax dollars paid for it once. It should be an open access system. I do not have a problem with companies trying to make money off the net, but they should not be allowed to dictate access to make more money.

6. Oil - It is high time that we come up with a way to get off oil. Stop subsidizing oil companies and put money into research.

OK, so I know that most of this sounded like a rant. In a way it is. As Americans we need to be proud of our country. We need someone that will lead us and solve these problems.

This presidential election season is in full swing. The battle lines are drawn and candidates are battling for there parties position in the primaries. One of the hot button issues is public/socialized medicine. This issue seems to be drawing as much attention as gay marriage did in the last election. I feel that this is a smoke screen. People are missing the real issues that need to be solved. I personally feel these issues are the economy, liberties, oil dependence and the war.

The first and last one are tied together to an extent. First the US dollar is at lows I never thought I would see in my lifetime. This is a serious issue. I feel that the war in Iraq has quite a bit to do with this. Now keep in mind that feeling is just my opinion. I am not an economist and my understanding of international finance is not backed by a degree. It just seems to make sense that you can not spend more then you make and keep borrowing from other countries.

We seem to be comfortable giving up our liberties in this country. After 9-11 people readily handed over the right to privacy, free speech, due process and most importantly the ability to hold the government accountable for there actions. I feel that the US needs to get back to a government for the people by the people. Not a government for the corporations, politicians and International interests by the before mentioned. This was built to be a people first country and it is high time we returned it to such.

Oil dependence is a no brainer. We are way to far behind in solving this issue. We have the technologies, will power and the brightest minds in the world. Now all we need is to stop suppressing them and let them solve the problem. Listen to the crazy guy and try out his idea. Hell he might even do something great like reinvent how we live. I do not believe that the government needs to fund this research. This should be handled by the private sector. The end rewards are so great for the company that comes up with a solution that someone would take up the challenge.

I will state this again. I feel that issue one is in some way related to the war. We are spending lots of money for a never ending battle. We will not be able to exert military control over a country for years to come and be successful. I know there are arguments that state we are not doing that. Again I am not a scholar in this area, but it seems like we are an occupying force to me. And I feel that the Iraqi people see us as such. We need to stop throwing good money after bad.

At this point you might be asking “You left out a lot of important issues.” That is true. I feel that we can not really solve the other important social issues until we fix the bigger picture problems. You have to have money, research, and a free society before things like cultural issues, healthcare, and the housing slump can be addressed.

My buddy Daniel has made a post on the USA borrowing money to pay for the war. And it has caused some interesting debate. I thought it would be prudent for me to make my own post regarding the issue.

Guys, this has been going on since the founding of the FED. Our founding fathers knew it would happens which is why they fought it to the bitter end.

The previous generations elected the people that allowed this to happen, WE keep electing people that let it continue and call those that want to put a stop to it crazy. So whose fault is it? It is all of ours. WE are all more interested in driving our brand new cars ever few years and enjoying our lives then saving our country.

I for one am sick of it. I see my faults and now I endeavor to correct them. At least where my family is concerned. I am now educating my family on why it is important to pay attention to the world. Why we need to be involved with politics.

There might be hope for us, but we have to start changing things now. And the question is who will be the one to change it. I can tell you it will not be anyone that will be elected. It will have to start with us. And trust me when I tell you this. It is a revolution. It is a revolution that has to start with us.

I think this video gets the point across. Click to play.

Ok so I admit that he did not say Mission Accomplished, but he did say major combat operations had ended. He also said that we had prevailed which to a rational person means that we had won the war. So I help this clears up some of the doubt in his defenders minds that he never said it was over. But this is just my thoughts. Lets hear yours.

If you guys like podcasts check out the Ron Paul podcasts on iTunes. And please remember to vote.

So we have increased the debt ceiling 4 times since bush has been in office and now this. I think we need major reform and now.