On January 20, 2009, the next President of the United States will be sworn into office.  Since September 11, 2001, our country has been through some difficult times, but not all of it has been due to President George W. Bush and his administration.  The Bush Administration was dealt a bad hand in 2001 and not just the 9/11 attacks.  This administration inherited a recession that began at the end of the Clinton Administration, but since the data confirming it wasn't available until months after the fact, everyone assumes it was caused by President Bush.  The other major mistake they inherited was NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) that was passed in 1993, which is responsible for many major corporations moving factories and jobs out of the country to Canada and Mexico.  Also, President Clinton significantly opened trade with China and India in the late 90s, which sent even more factories and jobs to Asia...but once again, President Bush was blamed.  Democrats constantly brag about the economic boom of the 90s, but while big business was making record profits for the American economy, corporations were really earning these profits by outsourcing jobs to other countries to avoid paying higher salaries, health benefits, EPA regulations, etc.  Our greatest strength is also our greates weakness.  We like cheaper products and innovative new gadgets, but in order to have these benefits, corporations need to lower "overhead" costs (meaning, they must reduce the cost of running the business to increase profits).  It's about supply versus demand, Research & Development, and of course, cheaper labor with limited environmental restrictions (aka, fines).  You won't hear politicians talk about these things, because ALL of them benefit from big business.  It's about votes and money.  Our votes are "bought" by major corporations, which in turns buy elections for candidates (primarily incumbents).  If you ever wonder why politicians can be very mean spirited to one another and very subjectively "spin" their version of events; then be as close as brothers and sisters the next, it's because they are all on the same boat.  Comparing it to the game of chess, they are Kings and Queens, corporations are Bishops, Knights and Rooks...and we are just pawns.  Democrats and Republicans are two parties united by one goal...to keep Americans divided.  As long as we are divided, we cannot take away the wealth and power that was once ours.  Think about it...has there really been that huge a difference in social policies under either Democratic or Republican control in the history of this nation?  Democrats have over 90% of African-American voters in their hip pocket, claiming to be the party dedicated to eliminating all barriers that have held them down...but they have had overwhelming control of our government several times in the past half century (under President's Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter and Clinton) and while many gains have been made under each (as well as under Republican Presidents), many problems of poverty, discrimination, etc, still exist.  Why?  Do some research and search your souls...you'll see what I am talking about.  Race has been a huge advantage for Democrats and the stranglehold seems to be more peer pressure than fact-based.  In our society, African-Americans fall into two types of voters: Democrats and "Uncle Tom's"...and they must choose which side they are on.  I remember hearing in 2000 that African-Americans were told to go to the polls and "vote line B."  What kind of an election is that?!  Certainly not an intelligent one and we get what we vote for.  If those who are dissatisfied with their elected officials or the way this country is run...look in the mirror and find the problem. 

I hope in 92 days, we are prepared for another 4-8 years of tough times, because neither candidate is going to make things better than the last; because the more they try to fix things, other problems will emerge as they take from one thing and give to another.  That has been the plan of both candidates and neither will create significant change in the short-term.  So, tighten up your chin-strap and get in the game!