Virginia's Governor Race

I believe Bob McDonnell will win the 2009 Virginia Governor race against Creigh Deeds. So far polls have shown that the American Republic has more support for McDonnell. I think this is because while Deeds seems to be very focused on issues like how to help the environment, McDonnell has been campaigning as a "jobs governor" who is looking to provide more jobs for Virginia residents in order to help the economy. Most people are much more concerned with finding jobs right now in a time of recession, and therefore are more likely to want to see McDonnell as governor. I think McDonnell's conservative viewpoint may also benefit him in the upcoming election, because many republicans are not very happy with the job President Obama has done so far, so they will be more likely to come out to the polls to voice their opinions next week. I also think that McDonnell has had a more successful campaign through his advertisements, because he has several commercials explaining where he stands on important issues while Deeds seems to have a lot of commercials attacking McDonnell instead of stating his views and ideas. The candidates only have a few more days to campaign, it will be interesting to see the results!

Current Event #5- "Obama: Swine flu a national emergency"

President Obama declared on Saturday that the swine flu outbreak has become a national emergency, and he has given his health chief, Kathleen Sebelius the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms off site to speed treatment and protect non-infected patients. In his announcement, President Obama said that rates of illness due to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic are continuing to rise, and may result in overburdening health care resources in some localities.

More than 1,000 people in the United States, including almost 100 children, have died from swine flu, and 46 states have widespread flu activity. So far however the vaccine for swine flu cannot be produced fast enough to obtain the needed number of doses to send out to health care providers. Many hospitals and doctors offices have been overwhelmed by the large number of H1N1 cases. Under the declaration signed by President Obama, hospitals are able to open drive through and drive up tents to test and treat swine flu patients. Hospitals are also able to modify patient rules under the declaration, for example they can require less information to be given during a chaotic time so that the patients can have quicker access to treatment.

I think this declaration will be very helpful in addressing the growing number of cases of the H1N1 virus. I especially think the idea of creating separate drive by tents for the treatment of swine flu is a good idea, because it will not only allow for quicker more direct treatment, but it will also prevent the virus from being spread to other patients in hospitals who are already sick and thus have weaker immune systems. Another provision of the declaration that will be helpful, is that it allows hospitals to set up these drive by tents without loosing the opportunity to be reimbursed for them.

It looks as though President Obama's declaration will provide the flexibility hospitals and health care providers need to effectively address the growing number of H1n1 cases, and will promote preventative measures.

"Obama: Swine flu a national emergency." usatoday.com. 25 Oct. 2009 <http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-10-24-Obama-swine-flu_N.htm>

The Biggest Issue Facing Virginia

I think that the biggest problem facing the state of Virginia is transportation. Especially in Northern Virginia, traffic is very heavy, and there are too many cars for the roads we have. Virginia needs to either improve Mass Transit in order to lessen the number of cars on the roads, or widen the roads we already have, and create more roads, so that more cars can fit on the roads without creating heavy traffic. In addition to the need for more spacious roads, Virginia's roads need repair because they are in such poor condition. Both candidates for Virginia's govern have been addressing this issue frequently in their campaigns, so hopefully we will have a solution underway shortly after the elections.

Current Event #4- "Staggering need, striking neglect"

D.C. has the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the United States. A recent investigation has revealed that from 2004 2008 over $25 million was give to nonprofit organizations who were marked by questionable spending, a lack of clients, or lapses in record keeping or care.

From 2004 to 2008 one dollar for every three of the grants given to HIV/AIDS organiztions was given to a group with a deficeincy. Such groups included organizations that were headed by former drug addicts and theifs, and who have no actual records of starting an organization. Others included groups that submitted employee resumes and consutig contracts with false information, like fake adresses and credentials. Four of the most troubled groups were funded during the tenure of former HIV/AIDS Administration housing chief, Debra Rowe. The executive of one of the groups who had been awarded $4.5 million, hired Rowe's son, and also provided work for Rowe's uncle and father. '"Everbody knew if you need anything down at the AIDS agency, call Debra" said Ron Stewart, a local AIDS case manager. "There was all this money cming into the city, and she was on the ground floor."' Rowe was removed from her position, however the city has still done little to hold the problem groups accountable, or find where the money went. Shannon L. Hader, the new HIV/AIDS Administration director has worked to improve oversight of tracking of how awarded money is spent.

The waste and abuse of the awarded money hurts those who need care, because it takes money away from legitimate agencies who could treat the sick. It is a shame that so much money has been wasted when it could have been used to treat many people, and prevent several deaths in D.C. The fact that the groups who abuse thier grants were not held accountable, and that the lost money is not being lookoed for is very disappointing. Trouble groups who got away with stealing the money may contiue to commit fraud and thus take away from agencies who could be providing care for those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

In the last year. new HIV/AIDS Administratio director Shannon L. Hader has improved the tracking of awarded grants, and will hopefully continue to crate a more stable and reliable chain of non-profit organization in D.C. who provide care for HIV/AIDS victims.

Cenziper, Debbie. "Staggering need, Striking neglect." Washintonpost.com. 18 October 2009

President Obama report card

I would give President Obama a C+ for his work with Health Care reforms, because his idea is to make health care mandatory, so that everyone in America has it. This helps those who cannot afford health care plans it hurts those who can afford to get plans that have the best coverage. I would grade President Obama's efforts to improve the economic downturn as a D because his stimulus plans have not been effective, for example "Cash for Clunkers" (which resulted in Americans giving money to other nations by buying foreign cars), and because he said he would create jobs for Americans, but the number of jobs is actually declining. As far as the war on terror is concerned, I would give President Obama a B because so far he is only following the plan that was set up before he entered his presidency, but he has not formed his own plan of action.

Current Event #3-Obama Accepts Nobel as 'Call to Action'

This past Friday, President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Obama is the third sitting U.S. president to win the peace prize, In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt won the prize, and in 1919 President Woodrow Wilson won the prize for his role in founding the League of Nations.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee says that the Nobel Peace Prize was developed in part to encourage ongoing peace projects. President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to build support for his promises to "reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism". Many people around the world have argued that it seems too early to be giving President Obama this award, but members of the committee have described the award as an "early vote of confidence" in Obama. The Nobel Committee has also been faced with accusations that giving Obama the award was a way for the committee (who has a majority of left-sided members) to show that they are happy to see the end of the Bush administration.

I personally would have to agree with the question most Americans are asking, "What has President Obama actually accomplished?" So far in his administration, Obama has made a lot of good promises, but has not yet followed through with any of them. President Obama assured Americans during his campaign that he would remove troops from Iraq, however he has been slow to do so, and is now sending more troops into Afghanistan.

Hopefully, despite claims that the prize was awarded to President Obama too early in his administration, or as a means for showing dissatisfaction in the Bush administration the prize will still encourage Obama to follow through on his plans that will bring peace.

Oslo, "Obama Accepts Nobel as 'Call to Action,'" news.aol.com, October 9, 2009 <http://news.aol.com/article/president-barack-obama-wins-nobel-peace/710891>

A Political Issue That Interests Me

I have a personal interest in the debate over health care reform. I realize most people are especially concerned with this issue as it is one of the largest debates facing our nation right now, but I take a personal interest in it because I plan to go into the medical field, so the outcome will someday very much affect my profession. I feel strongly against the idea that everyone should have the same health care policy regulated by the government. While it would be awesome if everyone in the U.S. could have access to, and could afford a health care plan, it just does not seem right that the people who work hard to afford to have their families covered by a good plan should have to help pay for someone who may not work as hard. Also I think it is important for people to be able to choose a health care plan that will best fit the specific needs of their family.

Current Event #2- Olympics loss forces Chicago to rethink city plans

Recently several cities had been campaigning to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Richard Daley (mayor of Chicago), and President Barack Obama had been campaigning for some time for the Olympics to be held in Chicago, by promising that they would create jobs through games-related jobs, construction, tourism and transportation. This past week however mayor Daley, President Obama and the residents of Chicago were all disappointed when it was announced that the 2016 summer Olympics would be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Like many other states in the U.S. Chicago is experiencing financial difficulty. Olympic organizers were anticipating that hosting the 2016 games would create a $13.7 billion citywide economic impact. "The loss marked a stunning defeat for Mayor Richard M. Daley, who spent three years working to sell Chicago residents on the games, often highlighting job creation and a financial influx that would help the city emerge from a recessional slump." Mayor Daley will be running for his seventh term in 2011, making him Chicago's longest serving mayor, but now the question is will this loss prevent him from being re-elected? " 'I don't think he will be looked at like a loser,' said Angela Byrd, 40, a teacher's assistant from Chicago." While some Chicago residents feel similarly to Ms. Byrd, Daley's approval rating has sunk to 35% as shown in a recent poll by the Chicago Tribune/WGN.

Loosing the campaign will definitely prevent the city of Chicago from bringing in the prospective revenue from the Olympic Games that they very much needed. However, if Mayor Daley wants to help Chicago out of their financial downturn, and improve his approval ratings, he needs to quickly propose new ideas and projects that will bring revenue and jobs into the city. By quickly getting started on these new projects, Daley will be able to shift the focus of Chicago residents from what could have been to what will now help them to better the city's economy.

While loosing the campaign for the 2016 Summer Olympic games was disappointing for Chicago, if Mayor Richard Daley focuses more on new projects and less on their loss, he can help improve Chicago's economy, and increase his chances at re-election.

"Olympics loss forces Chicago to rethink city plans," USAToday.com, October 4, 2009 <http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-10-03-chicago-whats-next_N.htm>