Speaking of the Presidential debate. Now you can watch it anytime at your own convenience from the internet. Pretty cool, isn’t it? Those English Language enthusiasts out there probably wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity,   coz it happens only every four years. If you are studying English, You may want to know something about American politics too.  Lenny has found the link for you. It’s your call. All you have to do is a few clicks, sit back, relax and enjoy. I’ve watched all four of the debates,  including the one between vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, and I found it every single one fascinating.

This is a very important Election  for the American people. Not only because of the symbolism that either candidate will be making history (first African American president if Obama wins or the oldest president if Mccain is elected). But most importantly, the country is now facing a lot of serious challenges.  A war that costs $10 Billion a month.   The failling economy and issues of energy, health care, education and so on are to be dealt with without delay.  After eight years of the current administration’s failed policies, people are  fed up. they are feeling  the urgency for change.  America needs  to turn the page and move to a new direction.

America has always been a resilient nation.  A country of many great inventions.  The internet was invented in the US, which now we are all taking advantages of;  the cell phone,  Google, just to name a few, have made our lives much easier. No one can deny that. The computers you are using are most likely powered  by Intel and equipped with Microsoft windows, unless, of course, you are using the Mac, another American brand, top-of-the-line by Apple, whose iPod and iPhone have excited so many youngsters, perhaps including yourselves.

Now the world is facing shortage of energies. Both candidates are talking about it.  If the next President can prioritize his agenda on this issue, vision the future by investing  in alternative enegies. like it in the IT industry,  America will probably lead another industrial revolution once again. Being the trailblazer, such technology and know-how can be a very lucrative business when transfered, sold and industrialized.  Investing in the environment and alternative energies will not only be making a lot of money, it will also make the world a much better place to live.

By the way, Lenny, You have watched the debate twice. Who do you think is more convincing? If you could, Who would you be voting for?

[ 本帖最后由 wh2691 于 2008-10-30 23:32 编辑 ]

John, thanks for your topic. It's a hot topic not only because the election of US President will have a great impact on America and American people, but also on the global economy.

Actually, I am favor of Sen. Obama's tax policies. Obama wants to provide a tax cut for 95 percent of Americans who make less than 250,000 US dollars a year. That means the majority of the small businesses in America would get a tax cut under Obama's policy. Meanwhile, those who make more than 250,000 US dollars a year, especially the corporations, would receive a tax increase. With the help of Obama's tax plan, the income gap between the rich and the poor or the middle class will become smaller. So the owners of small businesses will be able to afford the health insurance for their employees.

Now, let's look at Sen. McCain's tax policies. McCain also proposes a tax cut, but he is going to give more benefits to the big corporations that is the traditional attitude of Republican towards the rich.

McCain's 300 billion US dollars  tax cut is just like President Bush's, 200 billion US dollars of which will be given to big corporations, such as big oil companies. I'll oppose that because the rich will be richer, and the poor will be poorer with the influence of Sen. McCain's tax cut plan.

Just now I got some information from the Chinese version of China Daily Global Online website that the poor who occupies 20 percent of American population and with the income of less than 19,000 US dollars a year after paying tax would get an additional tax reduction of 567 US dollars a year under Obama's tax cut plan, while they would only get an additional reduction of 21 US dollars a year according to McCain's plan. What about the middle class? They will get an additional tax exemption of 1,118 US dollars under Obama's plan, but only 25 US dollars a year with McCain's. Maybe we'll think about the rich. What will they receive? The richest people in America whose income a year is more than 600,000 US dollars a year would see the tax increase of 93,709 US dollars a year under Obama's tax policies, but contrasting sharply with that, they will receive an additional tax exemption of 48,860 US dollars a year according to McCain's tax cut plan. What a big difference!

Global Online of China Daily cited the estimate of Tax Polycy Centre established by Urban Institute and Brooking Institute based in Washington D.C. as examples.

也许并不是每个人都象LENNY和其他一些英文好又关心时事的网友一样熟悉美国情况， 所以把写的英文再“翻译”成中文。方便大家理解。
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“说到总统候选人辩论。  现在我们都能根据自己的时间表从网上看到， 不错吧？ 英语爱好者们也许不想错过这一机会， 因为只有每隔四年才能看到。 如果你在学英语， 大概也想了解一些美国政治吧？版主LENNY已经为我们找到了链接， 看不看你自己做主。 你只需要点击几下， 坐舒服， 放松享受就是了。 四场辩论， 包括副总统候选人的那场， 我都看了， 感觉每场都能引人入胜。

对美国人来说， 这是场极为重要的选举， 还不仅仅因为任何一方当选， 都将象征着创造历史（首任非洲裔总统如果奥巴马当选，或最年长的美国总统如果麦可因胜出）最重要的是美国正在面临着一系列严重挑战。 每月耗费100亿美元的战争， 陷入困境的经济。 还有能源， 医疗教育等问题都极待解决。 现任总统八年的失败政策， 民众已极不满。 都有改变的紧迫感。 美国应该翻开新页， 走向新的方向。

美国从来就是个有活力的国家。 有不少发明创造。 网络就是美国发明的， 现在大家都在使用。 随便一数， 美国发明的手机，谷歌等都让我们的生活更为方便。 谁都不能否认。 我们正在使用的电脑， 很可能装的就是英代尔晶片和微软的视窗。 当然， 除非你用的是Mac—美国的另一品牌， 苹果机的顶级产品。 其iPod 和 iPhone 让无数年轻人兴奋， 也许还包括你。

现在世界正面临着能源短缺。 两位候选人都谈到了这个问题。 如果下任总统能放眼将来， 把优先放在投资开发更环保的可选性能源。 很可能， 象在上面提到的发明和信息产业一样， 美国又将带领另一次工业革命。 作为开拓者， 这些将来能转让， 出售和工业化的产业， 都将给美国带来丰厚的经济效益。 投资到环保和可选性能源， 不但能赚很多很多的钱， 还能让地球更适合我们居住。

[ 本帖最后由 wh2691 于 2008-10-31 01:04 编辑 ]

very good Lenny. you have provided enough data to back up your points. at least i'm convinced. you put both candidates' tax plans under microscope, and exam them like a well-informed american citizen. you can even write a first-rate essay on this issue.

i think i know who you are endorsing. but i don't know if you would take a 16-hr flight to come just to cast your vote. since i'll be voting for the same guy also. may i have your permission to pull the lever (vote) on your behalf on election day?

John, thanks for your appreciation. I should go on studying hard. I would like to take a flight there but I can't just because I'm not an American citizen. I am interested in the election and try to find the link so that I can learn much more about the culture of American presidential election and democracy.