Foreign Service Workers

Career diplomats versus political appointees. In my opinion, in foreign service work, there should be no political appointees. That just shows favoritism and that high government positions can be bought by the rich through donations to presidential campaigns. I feel that ambassadors should not be selected by the president from an outside source, but should be selected by working at that post for an extended period of time. The ambassador should hold his or her post for more than the four to eight years a president is in office. This way, a stronger relationship can be built between the ambassador and the country he or she is working in. In leadership, power should be earned and respected through devotion, time, and experience, not money, contacts, and owed favors. The ambassador for the United States of America represents the people of the United States as a whole to the people of the country he or she is located in. Do we want some self-absorbed CEO or a lazy individual born into money to be the symbol of American? I don't think so. We need someone who worked from the bottom of the State Department all the way up. We need someone who has devoted their career and life to serving the American people.

Presidential Campaign

I know that there is all of this scandal going on in the Republican race for the nomination but I'm not going to talk about that right now. What I find far more interesting is why it almost always is the case that the major candidates in an election are either rich businessmen or high ranking government officials. I understand the reasoning behind it, because the government officials have the experience, and rich businessmen can afford the expenses of a campaign and know how to organize and delegate duties. However, I feel that it is also important to remember the little guy. For all we know. There could be a small business owner in the middle of Montana, or a farmer in Iowa who could do a great job at being president. I know that it is a long shot, but too many people give up because they think that there is no way they could do something. New blood is always needed in order to bring change to a group. The bureaucracy is becoming too mechanical in American government. The stagnant political scene should not be rocked by scandals like those in the tabloids in the supermarket, but by unexpected, responsible people running for office. Media should stop preying on the negative aspects of presidential candidates, and start looking at the good aspects of people that we as Americans don't know about. Media should look for the good, not just the bad.

Voting

We are all about to become eligible to register to vote. Unfortunately, not all of us will take advantage of this right that so many have made the ultimate sacrifice for. Without voting, I feel that no one should complain about our government. The system is nowhere near perfect, but the best way to change it is to make your voice heard. Inaction shows a lack of passion for your country, and your people. Personally, I will be registering to vote on my birthday. I look forward for voting for and promoting what I feel will be the best decisions for our country. I will most likely register a Democrat, but will not be afraid to cross party lines in my votes. People who feel they will not make the right choice when voting shouldn't worry, because there is no "right" way, because in the end we all want what is best for ourselves, our neighbors, and our country. If everyone was afraid to vote or too lazy to register, our government officials could walk all over us. Voting is vital to keep power in balance, and to keep democracy safe. One of the most key principles our Founding Fathers worked for was to ensure the right to vote. It would be a crime not to use this gift.

Medical Care

I know that the United States prides itself on free enterprise and a separation of government and business, but when it comes to health care, I feel that the government should step in. This issue hits close to home because I have had my share of health issues from a young age. Many people don't understand why people need health insurance because they do not go to the doctor very often because they are fortunate enough to be very healthy. However, prices are truly astronomical. Health care in my opinion is one of the most important human rights and is so often violated. Procedures for patients are so expensive that my monthly IVs cost a couple thousand dollars every month. Without insurance, my family would have to pay for all of this on our own, and would not be able to afford it. Part of the reason why prices are so high is because people need these procedures and medications so much the medicine companies can drive up the prices. Also, so few people can afford the whole price so the few that can have to make up the difference by paying so much. Regardless, this is not fair for the people who desperately need the help. I see doctors as truly great people who help many people and do a great service. In my opinion, it is the medication companies and insurance corporations that need to be regulated by the government in order to keep innocent people from being taken advantage of.

America Is Losing Ground

Although the American economy has been in a slump and a deficit for sometime, it is starting to slowly but surely come back. However, America is not the economic powerhouse it used to be. The dollar, I believe, is falling to the Euro. America no longer is the manufacturing powerhouse it used to be. One of America's major economic powers is in the manufacturing of guns and other weapons, which is a whole other problem. China, Japan, and Brazil are rising economic powers that have not yet passed the United States economically by total GNP, but are gaining ground. Manufacturing in China, technology from Japan, and cash crops from Brazil have overwhelmed the world economy. Millions of dollars made every year in America are sent to families of illegal immigrants working in the United States. This money leaves the United States and does not help our economy. I consider myself a Democrat, but I still feel that this is not fair to the American people. We cannot force people to keep their money in the United States, but more policies should encourage it. Also, one of the reasons why countries like China have rising economies is because they do not have to pay the benefits that American employers have to pay their employees by law. By doing the right thing and protecting the rights of workers, we are hurting our economy, although, I would take fairness over money any day. Its complicated, and I do not blame the government for our slumping economy. I just don't know what to do, and I don't think they do either.

Communication in Global Affairs

The instantaneous ability to send a message or a video to the other side of the world is a luxury that is so easy to not think about. Today, this fast paced communication has evolved to You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, texting, email, and Skype. The world is so much more connected than ever before. Individuals from different nations can coordinate international protests with far greater ease, such as the worldwide 99% protest against major corporations, the stock market, and taxes. It has also led to such violent organization as that of the Arab Spring leading to revolutions in countries such as Yemen, Syria, Egypt, and most notably, Libya. Some nations, such as China, have tried to sensor this by only allowing access to the areas of the internet that they approve for the people of their country. This does not work fully, but I feel is very wrong. Communication is one of the things that sets humans apart from the rest of the world. Trying to sensor what they hear and say will only lead to ignorance, and a lack of understanding. This revolution of communication has united the people of the world more than any crisis or war ever could.

The Draft

I believe that there should never be a forced draft in the United States ever again. No one should be forced to kill other over something they do not believe to be right. I know that you could work as a medic or a communications specialist, or some other duty that does not require you to kill another human being, but it is still forced labor. It is a form of slavery. I support the military, and the men and women who put there lives on the line every day. Honestly, I cannot fight for our country in the military. I have too many health problems, and I am a Swiss citizen. I would love to defend my country against any danger, threat, or injustice, but it would have to be my view that it was for a just cause. The draft is a forced game of chance, the options are to return safely, wounded physically or emotionally, or not to return at all. The draft in the past, especially in Vietnam, has been very unpopular. A government that has the power to send involuntary young men to a game of chance with death in my opinion has too much power. Economic and educational incentives bring in countless volunteers for the military. The Constitution says that Congress has the power to raise an army, but does not say that it must force people to join it. Thankfully, the draft has not been issued in a while, however, I feel that in order to ensure that it does not come back, a law must be made that enables people to choose not to join it.

Diplomacy

I believe like many others, that diplomacy and discussion is far more valuable than fear and military strength. Since about the first World War, the United States has had one of the strongest militaries in the world. So great was this military might, that it caused nations around the world to fear us, and act against what the believed and wanted in order to escape our wrath. I am a proud supporter of our country, and I support our troops, no matter who they are. I do not however, always support those individuals who put them where they are. Our men and women overseas are our greatest heroes. They are courages, strong, intelligent, and the most honorable men and women in the world. However, military powerhouses like the United States should realize the fact that it is this power that often causes fear and hatred of the United States abroad. In my experiences in life, more friends are made through respect than fear. Now many argue that one can be respected, loved, and feared. However, this cannot be. If you are afraid of a friend, you will not tell him or her that he or she is wrong. As one of the largest economic and military powerhouses of the world, the United States has many allies. Most of these allies however, are only allies out of fear of the United States. It is this fear that can cause resentment. People who are loved are respected. These people gain respect out of respecting the views of the others. They are not powerful or rich. They simply care about the group as a whole, and have no power over the others, but that of love. In order for the United States to gain this level of love and respect internationally, it must stop involving itself military in places without notifying NATO and the UN. It, along with China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdoms, should remove themselves as permanent members of the UN Security Council, or allow for all countries to have permanent members to the security council. In true diplomacy, all are equal and no one group can be considered better.

Political Attitudes

I have formed my own political views over the years. When I was little, I just followed what my dad called himself, a Republican. I did not know what that word meant, and to whom that applied. As I grew up and became more aware of the world around me, I discovered that I have more traits of a Democrat. However, I do not consider myself a liberal. I feel as though I am a moderate. Since a young age, I have had a firm belief in justice and equality. The virtues, lessons, and morals I learned from my parents, my experiences, and my mistakes have molded into also being what my political beliefs are based off of. I found that mutual respect made far stronger friendships than those based off fear. I found that sometimes an adult or authority figure or figures are needed to make sure that all are treated fairly. For me, this has translated into a sponsorship of programs that give people of all races and economic standing fair taxes and opportunities. I support higher taxes for higher income citizens. I however denounce affirmative action because in attempting to reverse racism, I feel, it just alters it, as racism against whites and males. I believe that government intervention and regulation, is unfortunately needed to protect the rights of workers. I promote diplomacy, less spending on the military, and greater cooperation with the United Nations. I have found that cooperation is much stronger between people of great trust, then when fear is present. In my opinion, in order to promote the good of the nation economically, environmentally, and socially, the government must regulate strong environmental restrictions, provide free health care, and keep American jobs in America.