Tomorrow, the nation and its government employees picks their next CEO. To gain some insight of our own into who will win, we asked OhMyGov! readers who they were going to vote for in the Presidential election. The results of our poll show Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) with a very comfortable margin, with the results breaking down as follows:
55 percent - Barack Obama (Democratic Party)
36 percent - John McCain (Republican Party)
3 percent - Bob Barr (Libertarian Party)
3 percent - Other
1 percent - Ralph Nader (Independent)
<1 percent - Chuck Baldwin (Constitution Party)
0 percent - Cynthia McKinney (Green Party)
Whether the results show support for Obama or simply a revolt against the Republican party and President Bush II (or both), Senator Barack Obama is our readers' choice to be the 44th President of the United States.
Of course, one has to wonder why Obama, McCain, or any of the others would really want this job. The new leader of the free world will inherit a failed economy, an unpopular war, high energy costs, and deteriorating global environment - just to name a few of the challenges awaiting #44.
But what exactly will an Obama presidency mean for government workers?
During the election, Obama spoke often about making government more transparent and more accountable, expanding on previously announced proposals to increase efficiency and reduce wasteful spending. Specifically he:
#1. Promised to eliminate government programs that no longer work
"I will also go through the federal budget, line by line, eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less--because we cannot meet twenty-first century challenges with a twentieth century bureaucracy."
Whose programs don't work? Hope it isn't yours!
#2. Will use technology to shine a light on spending
"Every aspect of our government should be under review. My Administration will open up the doors of democracy. We'll put government data online, and use technology to shine a light on spending. We'll cut through the red tape to make sure that every agency is meeting cutting edge standards."
Be prepared for more micromanagement. With full transparency, federal
managers and workers will need to account for all programs.
#3. Will instill a government that listens to the people again
"What I think is most important to the voters is that we have a government that is listening to them again They feel as if they've been shut out. When I meet mothers who are trying to figure out how to get health care for their kids, it's not just the desperation of that single mom. It's also that when they try to find some help, oftentimes they're hitting a brick wall. They want their government back, and that's what I intend to provide them when I'm nominated for president of the US."
Get the scissors out to cut the red tape. If Senator Obama transforms government, it will be nothing short of a miracle. Mother Teresa move over!
#4. Will create "Google for Government" to track government spending
"Creating a Google-like search engine that will allow regular people to track federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans online; the 'gold standard for reform'."
You mean that government does not do this already? So where is all that
money going? Apparently, some will go to Google or whoever gets the contract, but at least we'll
know how much.
#5. Plans to grant college tax credits in exchange for community service
"A similar program by Clinton 15 years ago, promising loan forgiveness to students who took public service positions after graduation, Obama's plan puts up the cash immediately, right when tuition is due. By rewarding students with a credit that makes college more affordable, Obama ensures that community service becomes part of the undergraduate experience."
The American Opportunity Tax Credit would provide up to $4,000
in tuition credit to college students who perform 100 hours of
community service. That's $40 an hour - equating to an annual salary of $83,000. Better to do community service than get a real job...
Regardless of the final outcome, we expect our federal staff to work to ensure the administration is successful, irrespective of their personal political views. So go pull that lever, touch that screen, but whatever you do, ensure you account for those chads. November 4th will lead to the 44th President of the United States. And if you believe OhMyGov! readers, then Obama will be that man.
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