Topic Thursday: Presidential Debate (Domestic Policy), 10/03/12

There were two personal observations I made during this debate. The first observation was the way with which President Obama and his opponent Mitt Romney greeted each other before the debate began. There was something about it that pleased me, seeing them shake hands and appear with genuine smiles. The other thing I noticed--and apparently I'm not the only one who did--was how confidently and positively aggressive Romney handled his words, his responses, and how President Obama seemed to be extremely lacking in vigor and an appearance to understand his somewhat passive speeches.

I tried to ignore Obama's opening statement of his 20th Anniversary with our First Lady, as well as his summary of what he has done thus far as President. I also tried to ignore Romney's opening quip and experience with those Americans who have lost jobs. Both candidates mentioned moments of meeting citizens across America who have been struggling. It's not that I don't think they were sincere, but why are you telling me what I already know? They were trying to relate, of course.

This debate was a casual tug-of-war. Since I started following the politics of the 2012 election, I have noticed multiple times when Romney and Obama would both say the exact same thing about each other. For example, in the debate last night, Obama accused Romney multiple times of five trillion dollar tax cuts that would add to our country's deficit. And then Romney accused Obama of wanted to create similar tax cuts that would add to the deficit as well. I'm seeing everywhere that the fact checkers will be having their hands full after the debate. Inquiry: who checks the fact checkers?

Obama opened, in regards to creating jobs, that he wants to invest in education and training for modern jobs, develop new means of energy, change tax codes to help small businesses, and reduce the deficit in a balanced way to make way for the former changes.

Romney opened stating five necessities: 1) make America energy independent, 2) open trade in Latin America and "crack down on China if and when they cheat," 3) provide citizens with the skills to succeed, 4) balance the budget, and 5) "champion small business." He also stated that the current path Obama has us on has been unsuccessful with the "trickle down government."

Obama stated he wants to improve education, lower tuition, agrees on energy stance, and close the deficit. He then proceeded to bring up Romney's FIVE TRILLION DOLLAR TAX CUTS.

Let's face it, people: five trillion dollars in tax cuts sounds great. But if we want to obliterate the deficit... bad idea.

Romney responded saying he is concerned mostly with the middle income Americans. He agrees with Obama on lowering taxes for the middle class. He then went on to emphasize his wish to concentrate on coal, offshore drilling, Alaskan oil, the Canadian pipeline, and investments in energy development.

Obama said that he has cut middle class taxes by more than three thousand dollars per family. Again, he stated Romney's FIVE TRILLION DOLLAR TAX CUTS ADD TO THE DEFICIT.

Finally Romney fought this statement. He said that he does NOT plan to implement a five trillion dollar tax cut and does not want to raise taxes on middle America because that will simply slow the economy. If anything, he wants to deduct taxes from middle America and raise them for the wealthy who can afford it.

Obama said that Romney's plan is not going to work. Both agree, as on many things so far, that there needs to be a concentration on small business growth. Obama stated Romney will make drastic cuts to education, etc. AGAIN, Romney fought: NO FIVE TRILLION DOLLAR TAX CUTS.

On tackling the deficit, Romney believes the issue is both economic and moral. It's not health for American's to be in the habit of spending more than we can afford. Romney stated there are three solutions to tackling the deficit: 1) raise taxes, 2) cut spending, and 3) encourage economic growth. He wants to lower spending and encourage growth without raising taxes, whereas he believes his opponent wants to raise taxes. Romney would like to put government spending to a test: "Is the program so critical it's worth borrowing money from China to pay for it? If not, I'll get rid of it." He wants to cut the number of government employees, agencies, and departments.

Obama noted that he went after government agencies for spending cuts, such as well-meaning, but useless education programs and unnecessary aircraft for the military.

Romney stated bluntly--and I'm paraphrasing--"You haven't gotten the job done."

Obama continued to speak about education, education, education, and that Romney's plan will not help us grow.

Romney said that he wants to give power back to the states.

I'll brush lightly over the Medicare and Affordable Care Act subject. Romney stated the ACA is expensive and takes money from Medicare. He said he doesn't like the idea of the ACA telling people what care they can and cannot have, or rather, what care will and will not be paid for. Let's stop here. I work in the health care industry. I work for a third party company that is contracted with health insurance companies. There are two major services we provide: 1) claims processing and 2) PRIOR AUTHORIZATION. Essentially, based on medical necessity, we decide what procedures health insurance members are and are not authorized to have. If you are not authorized, your claim, usually, will not be paid, and you will either not be able to have the procedure or you will have to pay out of pocket. It's all about saving money, but this idea of people saying what care you can and can't have already exists. This system in the ACA is basically irrelevant.

Obama said ACA helps those with pre-existing conditions and keeps children on policies until they are 26.

Romney talked about his health care act in Massachusetts where he worked as a Republican with both his own party and Democrats to create a bipartisan health care decision for their state. Romney believes this is a better alternative to "Obamacare." Romney kept a steady emphasis on leaving health care decisions to the states.

There was so much more and you really had to have seen it for yourself, but here I have highlighted what interested me the most. To be honest, I don't know what the FACTS are. Both candidates seemed to be saying the same things, a lot of times, while believing the other held a different view or plan. Both were very effective speakers and debaters, but I have to give this one to Romney. I've gone into this election thinking Obama is most likely going to be the best bet. But his heart didn't seem in this debate and I saw more realism in Romney's words than his. I'm still stuck in the middle. I still don't know what decision I will make. Based on this debate, however, I feel that Romney is gaining on Obama. I cannot wait until their final two debates and the Vice Presidential debate.

• Vice Presidential Debate (Foreign and Domestic): October 11, 2012 @ 9PM
• Presidential Debate (Foreign and Domestic): October 16, 2012 @ 9PM
• Presidential Debate (Foreign): October 22, 2012 @ 9PM

I will cover these debates as follows respectively: 10/16/12, 10/18/12, and 10/23/12.