According to a recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll, 21 percent of the people named the war in Iraq the central issue to them with regards to the 2008 Presidential Election, while 20 percent mentioned the economy.

With foreclosures at an all-time high, and consumerism with its lowest figures in years, the economy is certain to become the main stumping point in the upcoming November election.

In addition, the poll revealed that economic concerns were distributed almost evenly throughout most parts of the United States. It also showed that consumer confidence fell to the lowest figure in the six years that Ipsos has been measuring it.

Three in ten registered Democrats mentioned the war as the top problem, about twice the number as registered Republicans. Approximately one in five Independents claimed the war was their main concern.

Other major concerns by Democrats included health care, while Republicans cited terrorism, immigration and morality.

The turnout in the Presidential Election is expected to be high, and in universities around the country the discussion pertaining to the next U.S. President has become a passionate one with regards to the direction the nation is headed in.

"I will be looking for a candidate who articulates a vision of reconciliation and inclusive social justice. I am curious how the candidate languages America's position in the world - as global dominator or collaborator in addressing problems and generating meaningful solutions. I am not looking for specific solutions, because those can be only sound bytes at best; rather, I want to infer the candidate's communication style, relationship to power, and agenda for the country and the country's contribution in the world," says Kathleen Fallon, PhD, college professor and mental health counselor.

Florida Atlantic University student, Giulianna Oblitas-Acosta, revealed the economy was her main concern in the 2008 Presidential Election. "The job market is extremely unsettling right now, and my concern is based on what kind of employment opportunities will be available to students having to pay off college loans that they accumulated for the chance to obtain a better paying job in the professional world," states Oblitas-Acosta.

Michael C. Passero, Professor of English at Florida Atlantic University adds, "It seems that the cost of living in most regions has out-paced salaries for the heavily-burdened middle class. I would like to see this issue addressed. Immigration needs to be addressed as well. Hard to believe that even in America today, some companies are allowed to practice what essentially is slave labor. Here in South Florida, we try to help those who work, but are still destitute, as much as possible; yet, there is no substitute for fair immigration policy and fair wages."

The topic of who will be occupying the White House is not restricted to the academic environment. The concerns of the American people can be heard in discourses throughout the country, and by citizens, in many different professions, who are equally as passionate about the state of the US.

"I have issues with our government. Too much cash and carry politics. They are using our cash (tax payer dollars) and carrying it into their storehouses. This is supposedly the wealthiest country, but the wealth is not shared with you and me, only for the special interest groups that have been milked dry by elitist groups. I guess only elitist babies get mamma's milk. We have become orphans in this country, and get processed dry milk. I am tired of this! Do something for the backbone of this nation. We deserve so much more!

"How about actually giving power back to the people here (you are working for us, remember)! The price of gas (self explanatory�if you do not know what we want by now, you never will). Free health care for U.S. citizens starting now. Leaving Iraq! Removal of the infestation in Washington (everybody there knows who is dirty, have the guts to clean it up)," says Christian Castillo, Certified Respiratory Therapist.

Retired Navy veteran, Terry Landsberg, declares, "Grocery costs are going up and up, while the amount you get is smaller than before. You now get 14 ounces instead of 16 ounces. Also, businesses are sending work to other countries, and if there is a technical issue, then language becomes a problem."

"And how about the taxes U.S. Citizens pay for illegal immigrants? And what about the crimes they get away with when they do come over? Do you remember those poor Border Patrol officers who were jailed for defending our country against a murdering drug dealer - and by our own government? Not only that, the middle-class gets stuck with footing that bill while those with a larger bank account coast on through without paying a dime because of tax cuts for the wealthy.

"Middle-class citizens have to work two jobs to pay for people that should not even be in this country. Wet foot, dry foot - what a stupid idea! We keep letting all these people come here illegally and then we pay for them to have health benefits, food, housing...yet, our own government does nothing for its own citizens. It is embarrassing to be a U.S. citizen," recoils Thomas Watts, Miami, Florida resident.

With issues pertaining to the war in Iraq, and potentially for further Middle-East unrest, gasoline prices, illegal immigration, health care, job, housing and stock market woes, the 2008 Presidential Election may very well be one of the most important elections in U.S. history.

In November registered voters will voice their opinions on the direction they believe the country should be headed in, and those opinions will, more than likely, not come without some animosity with regards to race, gender and political affiliation.

The resolve of the American public will be tested by trying to find some common ground among all the diverse voices that make up the citizens of the United States. If we as a nation do not try and heal what has been severed by bad politics, then the concerns of the people in this country will perpetually get worse, and, quite possibly, put the US in a position where no election in the future will be able to reconcile its fractured nation. And, as many people already know, a nation without hope is a nation with no tomorrow.

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Anonymous   |2008-04-06 12:53:22 [smiley=shock] Reply 0   0

mathewas   |2008-02-15 20:45:49 This was a very informative article. There are so many things that I've been thinking about in this. Thanks for writing this article because this political campaign is going to be one in the history books and I want to make sure my vote is a part of it all. [smiley=wink] Reply 1   0

undecided   |2008-02-15 08:02:31 I agree with many things in this article. I think we should get out of Iraq - why the hell are we building this country back up so they can come and attack us again? We are basically funding our own downfall...but then, look what idiot is running the country! Illegal immigration is also a sore spot for me as well. If they aren't here legally ship them OUT. Why do we have to pay for them with the money we bust our asses to make to try and take care of our own families? Why do we have to take care of people that should not be here to begin with? And the economy - what a disaster. Gas...outrageous. The US dollar is at an all-time low and I don't think we will ever climb out of the debt Bush has generated. And - why is it we have to pay back all of our debts to the UN when other countries don't? And why the hell do we help other countries pay their debt when we have debt of our own we can't pay? And we wonder why the US dollar has bombed. This country spends way too much time worrying about other country's well being and not enough time taking care of its own CITIZENS. I feel abandoned by my country. Reply 1   0

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."