With any topic that’s discussed in the political realm, the debate is almost always split right down the middle. Nowhere else is this more visible than in this year’s presidential election. We see slight fluctuations, such as the increase for Mitt Romney after the first debate or the increase for Barack Obama after the second.
Now we’re approaching judgment day. Tuesday, November 6, is voting day. We at the Crimson J feel that facts are the most important aspect of any story. To that end, we’d like to clear up some common misconceptions about both candidates.
Barack Obama
Socialistic tendencies: “Socialist” is not a nice word in this country. In Europe, socialism is the prevalent economic system in use, but the word is an insult in the USA. Obama has been categorized as a socialist in the past due to the perception of high taxes and regulations applied to the business sector and his redistribution of wealth through welfare programs. However, compared to the European socialist countries, the United States is still far led by capitalism and a free market.
Benghazi: Information about the attacks in Benghazi, Libya on the US consulate is still being revealed. The FBI is currently carrying out an investigation as to what the precise order of events was. Some statements have come out of the case that would be controversial at best and a huge mistake at worst. One such report stated that officials watched as the attacks happened in real time but did nothing to stop them. This has been discredited.
Other issues are still to be determined. These include a request for backup by American personnel that was denied, and that General Carter Ham and Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette were relieved of their commands because they attempted to provide assistance to the consulate.
Birthplace/faith: During the 2008 election, rumors about Obama’s place of birth were raised. Doubters, called “birthers,” claimed that he had been born in Kenya and not Hawaii. At the front of this movement is spiffy-haired millionaire Donald Trump. The Hawaii State Health Department released Obama’s long-form birth certificate, which shows Obama’s birthplace to be a hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Along the same lines are the claims that Barack Obama is secretly a radical follower of Islam. There’s no evidence at all to support this claim. While his father was raised as a Muslim, he was not radical, and by the time he married Barack Obama’s mother, he was agnostic or atheist. Obama went to a Catholic school as a child and describes his background as “rooted in the Christian tradition.”
Mitt Romney
Shows no support of abortion– Claims have been made stating that Mitt Romney is, under no circumstances, in favor of abortion. This is an exaggerated statement. He is in favor of abortion in cases of rape, incest, and the health and safety of the life of the mother.
“Say No to Tampons”– Another incorrect statement about Mitt’s position on women is that he wants to ban the use of tampons. That is wildly incorrect. The satirical website (meaning it is an attempt at humor and an exaggeration of views. In no way is it true. The Onion is another such website) Free Wood Post posted a parody article with the fake headline “Newest GOP Attack on Women: Just Say No to Tampons” earlier this year.
$5 trillion tax cut-Though it is a big if, Mitt Romney plans to offset the dropping of the estate tax, taxes on interest, capital gains and dividends for those earning under $200,000 a year (a drop of $5 trillion in revenue) by paying for those tax cuts by reducing tax deductions and preferences — taxing more income.