Financail Crisis Brings Political Benefits?

Let's play a guessing game...I describe an extremely influential national concern, and you guess which one it could possibly be. Here are the clues:

Clue 1. It is probably the most observed national problem in the nation.
Clue 2. It's outcome will affect everyone.
Clue 3. It influences politics on every level.
Clue 4. It was referenced to in the last blog post (green).

The individual who has not been able to guess it by now may need to venture out from under a certain rock. Yes, it should be obvious that I am referring to our national economic status, which seems to be on a continuing steady spiral. Of course, politicians have taken specific observance of this issue, knowing it's vital importance to each and every voter, and it's effect on how they cast their vote. Although it pervades every level of political contest, I will, for now, just focus on the primary election that seems to be on everyone's mind: the presidential election.

I have just recently read an article from The Week, unsurprisingly titled "Does the economy help Obama?" In this article, the author considers the question of whether or not the declining economy will or will not follow the American tradition of driving voters toward the democratic candidate. American history has certainly illustrated a noticeable trend in which times of economic crisis have caused Americans to give up on the more fiscally conservative republican, and opt to follow a more aggressive agenda. The prime example of this can be seen during the years of the Great Depression, during which the despised Herbert Hoover was completely abandoned for the promising Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Th article offers two separate opinions: the first is that of the supposed "experts." They claim that the rule firmly stands for this election, just as it has in the past; no changes. The second opinion is that of recent polls which suggest that this election may in fact be a trend breaker. Why? Well, Obama's high tax plan is the greatest potential deterrent to worried entrepreneurs.

I happen to be a firm believer in the phrase, "history repeats itself." It is my contention that as long as a culture does not drastically change, the decisions of that culture (in regards to politics) will generally remain the same as well. However, I certainly do not deny the fact that our modern American culture has indeed changed, even within the past few decades. The seemingly age-old American concepts of personal fiscal responsibility, stewardship, and contentment have given way to an age of a desire for bigger and better, flippant spending, and the assumption of truly unrealistic loans. The skyrocketing national debt bears witness to this very unhealthy national "mega-consumer" economy.

Has our culture changed enough to alter deeply entrenched political trends? Only time will tell. What we do know is that our nation needs strong economic leadership that can work toward resolving the national slip-ups of past decades. May the best man truly win!

Article Address: http://www.theweek.com/article/index/89095/3/3/Does_the_economy_help_Obama