Bush and his last days in office

In response to my classmate's blog, the amount of outrage there is to be had at the current president's changes that pass as he leaves office is extreme. It is hard to say how George W. Bush Jr. will be remembered in the next few decades, but it it obvious that what he puts into effect during these times will have a deep impact on Obama's administration and their limitations as well as what is in store for the environment in years to come.
Bush's proposed changes to how power plants handle their emissions will drastically affect the chemicals in the air. A simple shift of how the hourly rate will become the standard of measurement will lead to much more pollution a many animals and plants will suffer if the right precautions are not met. This will lead to water quality being affected as well, because it is a domino effect. The changes enacted by Bush are not creating anything positive.
Thus it is placed in Obama's hands to craft a new, and effective, system for preserving the environment in America with the inclusion of a national goal of better energy consumption. It is obvious that "going green" is mandatory in times like these that exhaust has been built up in our atmosphere.
Alternate sources of fuel has been becoming increasingly in need of attention as the efforts in Iraq will pave the way for oil and how it is handled in the U.S. in the coming years. Hybrid cars may be beneficial to those who save at the pump in the now but also the best proposed solution for the future when it comes to converting something that is more electric and not reliant on gasoline. This is but one of many actions that will affect emissions in the environment but also the mentality of a more energy efficient automobile.
The president-elect will truly enact guidelines for a more environmental conscious plan than our current President, although it will prove to be a hard path if the latter continues to set obstacles for this newcoming administration.

On the national government

One of the accusations against Barack Obama is the proposition that all he is pedaling is socialist theories, saying that this is not the "change" this country needs. An impending economic recession and dangerous auto industry bankruptcy teetering on the brink of devastation is not a thought that anyone wants to think. Still, the direction our country heads in will soon be placed in the hands of the president elect.
Is he a power hungry leader, elected out of popularity and personality with no real substance? Many conservatives seem to think so, but only time will tell how his promises and plans turn out. The recently proposed economic bail out screams socialism to many, but is it just a buzz word used to accuse and stir up negativity when there is seemingly no other option? Perhaps those who speak of Obama in only fear are paranoid and will be proven wrong.
There is a possibility that Obama prove to be more moderate in his upcoming years as president. Signs point towards a more powerful national government, but regulation in the case of the economic bail out is necessary to jump start the economy and lead towards improvement. At this point, it is hard to determine the outcome of a bail out that many claim to be merely more fuel for an already failed industry that needs rethinking. The outcome and status of a newly structured government lies solely in the hands of the president elect.

Who's been more negative?

From http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/whos-been-more.html

As the presidential race narrows and becomes even more intense and haughty, those campaigning must hone in on their answers to persisting key-questions. This is shown through debates, websites, interviews, etc. What about reaching the voters who aren't as savvy/on the internet as much? A short segment striking on a fundamental issue that airs on national television is sure to spark up interest and sway a few votes.
From what I have witnessed, I feel like McCain is running a dirtier campaign than Obama. I believe it is obvious that the lack of respect McCain has for his opponent is hurting him; he tried to bring out Ayers as fuel to possibly trap Obama, and it was inconclusive and misfired. McCain referring to Obama as simply "that one" is just uncalled for, even during a heated debate. I believe that in this day and age, these campaigns are becoming less and less human.
I often talk with friends who are or are not into politics, just to see what they believe is true and to judge their values. I am a more liberal voter and I do have several friends who are strongly supporting John McCain. During the second presidential debate, I commented how it seems obvious that McCain has much contempt for Obama and is showing it in the purest form: not meeting eye contact with Obama. What I have perceived of McCain is that his rhetoric is comprised of negativity; while basing some attacks on your opponent is standard and normal for politics, I believe McCain went overboard and it has been hurting him.
My conservative friend argued that both Obama and McCain have shown incredible hostility to each other. I was fairly certain that a majority of ads that McCain has approved have been increasingly negative, although there was no way I could prove that in just speaking without the statistics. This post affirms my belief that McCain is compromised of attacks because he is not able to hone in and capture audience's attention on positive factors such as the policies he is "promising."