With three months to go before the election, Yahoo! News asked a handful of undecided voters how they're leaning in the presidential race. Here's a perspective from one voter.
COMMENTARY |
It will be hard choosing between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama in the 2012 election. Each has his own appeal, as well as turn-off, to me at least.For example, while I approve of Obama's more reserved stance toward Israeli issues, as well as his more open stance toward gay rights and a pro-choice abortion policy, Romney may have a more sound economic plan, which supports unrestricted free trade and opposes an increase in the minimum wage. The latter should actually be lowered as basic economics, according to Cornell University professor of economics Gary S. Fields, suggests that a higher minimum wage would increase the unemployment rate; thus Romney has basic economics over Obama, who once made the pledge to significantly increase minimum wage.
Speaking of unemployment, the unemployment rate is not budging at all and Obama seems to be effectively ignoring the issue. While, of course, we are in a recession and there probably isn't much Obama's administration could have done, it's still disheartening that our current president won't admit how bad the situation is or how overly high he set his expectations -- he expected the unemployment rate to be around 5.5 percent by August 2012 (now), but that obviously isn't the case.
Still, I support Obama's progressive tax policy in which the richer get taxed at a higher percentage; it just appears more fair that those with a higher ability to pay taxes will do so, especially when 20 percent of Americans control 93 percent of all financial wealth in the country and the richest 400 Americans have the same combined wealth as the poorest half of Americans, which amounts to more than 150 million people. Therefore, Romney may have a better economic plan in general, but Obama does bring a more fair approach to income redistribution.
Finally, Obama's recent support of gay marriage is a nice change. It is a controversial issue, for sure, but it is assuring Obama is willing to make a stand -- I had always seen him as a president with a lack of strong conviction at times. Furthermore, Obama's support of a pro-choice policy on abortion appeals to me, as opposed to Romney's strict anti-abortion policy. I do believe there are cases where abortion should be considered, and I think abortion should be considered on an individual basis.
There is a hard choice to make this upcoming presidential election, and I don't know whom I will vote for just yet.
I'm keeping my options open here.
Anthony Nguyen, 18, is an undergraduate student at Florida State University. He lives in St. Petersburg, Fla.
