2010: A fresh, new start for most Americans. A chance to start losing weight, exercise more vigorously, focus more on our schoolwork, save money, apply for internships, meet more people and live life to the fullest. Or so we think.
While it is a new year, America does not seem to be getting up on the right foot. How many more people lost their jobs during the holiday season? How many more people are going without health insurance? How many of us are cringing as we think about how much debt we're going to be in because of our student loans?
As we were clinking our glasses at midnight and hoping for a fresh new start, how much more can we ask of President Barack Obama? He's searching for a way to keep his promise to control deficits and not break his oath on keeping taxes steady for anyone who makes less than $250,000.
I think that, while the economy is improving, there are still actions that need to be taken if we want to continue to see improvement. For instance, tell me why Congress ignored Obama's proposal to increase the country's revenues by changing the tax rules for multinational corporations? Or his proposal to start 'capping deductions' made by the wealthier population?
Are we just going to stop taxing these multinational corporations because some lobbyist comes in and slips money in the government's pocket, asking the government to stay quiet? That will really help our economy.
But I'm not going to put the economy's blame on the wealthy because there are is a lot of slick shadiness going on with the people who aren't paying taxes whatsoever. I know people who purposely don't get a job so they can collect a welfare check every month and receive food stamps from the government. It's great to know that half of my taxes are being taken out so that people who are too lazy to get a job and keep on having children when they can't afford to take care of them are taking advantage of this system. How can you really blame the wealthy people - those who have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps to earn the kind of money they're earning - for being less than enthusiastic when faced with being taxed the incredible amount that Obama is proposing?
You can't put the blame all on the wealthy nor can you put it on those in poverty - there is a lot of unfair game playing on both parts that needs to stop.
If we want to continue improving our economy, we need to focus on cleaning up our debt. We can't start cleaning up our debt if we are not getting the money from every citizen in a fair way. If changes are going to be made, they need to start being made with this new year; when everyone is in the spirit to start changing.
If we want to make progression then we cannot put the entire burden on Obama, who's literally going gray while in office. Maybe we could start making changes in our own lives. For instance, New York City had 'Fashion Night Out' in 2009. On that night, 800 stores were giving out freebies, cocktails and discounts on clothing. Celebrities were roaming the streets, H&M had teamed up with 'America's Next Top Model' to allow everyone in attendance five seconds of fame by walking down the red carpet at H&M's Herald Square location. Other stores had various deals, such as $100 off if you spend $350.
The event was a success for the businesses involved. 75 percent of the people who participated purchased something. Maybe if America started mimicking events like this, we could, on our own, continue to improve the economy, without putting all the pressure on Obama.
It's a new year; now let's start making it seem like a new one.
Write to Meira at mabienstock@bsu.edu.
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