The long awaited Summit of world leaders finally arrived today. Many world leaders have been hoping for more regulation in the world market, but President Bush still believes in the free market. He is going to continue defending it noting that not everything needs to drastically changed, only certain things need to be fixed. However, world leader's may not really be listening, as they are awaiting the arrival of the new President-elect Obama and his ideas on the subject, as discussed by CNN. In fact, the New York Times started in an article today that the countries have decided to postpone decisions on regulations until next year when he is in office. Which leads us to the question on everyone's mind. How will Obama address the global community? What can he do to deal with the free market and the several conflicts going on around the world when he still has to clean up the mess at home? 

Meanwhile, as the Washington Post stated in its article, some changes are already happening, with Chinese and Indian leaders calling for more representation from developing countries in important meetings such as these. India said that the G7 is no longer a sufficient group to deal with world problems, and the structure needs to change to reflect economic realities.

Obama Pressured to Follow Through

Nine days after the election, Obama finds himself pressured by interest groups in regards to what he plans to execute in his first one hundred days in office. Not surprisingly, because healthcare was the center of Obama's presidential campaign, it is one of the most prominent legislation that Americans want passed. However, despite this, Obama has failed to make any indication on how he shall proceed with this overhaul. According to the Los Angeles Times, groups representing retirees, business, and labor are calling for comprehensive healthcare in a letter from the Business Roundtable. President, John Castelani, quotes, "We need to follow through..this remains one of the most important issues facing the country". Likewise to their message, the organization plans to spend an approximation on one million dollars to advertise this notable misfortune.

But what are the Democrats saying about this costly request?

Many Democratic House Representatives have already indicated their hesitation and unease about expanding healthcare in legislation as a priority in the new congress while Nancy Pelosi plans to do the bare minimum to satisfy children's healthcare. However, the Democrats do have hopeful individuals who have committed themselves to full scale healthcare and urge Obama to move quickly on the legislation. In addtion to this, the Service Employees international Union plans to pressure Washington to take action on healthcare by mobilizing millions of people.

The question now is whether or not Americans will see a profound and positive change in healthcare that will allow the employed and unemployed to be tended to. However,
the biggest question is how Obama, the hopeful Democrats, and helpful organizations can pressure Washington to gain more incentive to follow through and push for healthcare legislation.

Article Topics for Berkeley Political Review

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Worrying Over Nothing

After his successful victory over John McCain, Obama is currently putting together his political team of change as well as trying to formulate a plan that will guide America through trying times. However, political hounds have already started picking up every scent of Obama’s flaws or possible changes in promises, ready to catch him in a moment of weakness. In a New York Times article, "Obama Camp Pulls Issue Pages From Transitions Site," writer Michael Falcone lends a voice to upset political bloggers who fear that the fact that Obama has removed his detailed “Issues” page from his website and replaced it with a generic overall statement of important issues proves that he is already making the pitfall of promising change he cannot deliver. However, is this a case of political junkies reading too much into a minor website change, or does this actually foreshadow Obama’s style—criticizing Washington but not providing anything better for the public? As Falcone notes, Obama’s old campaign website still has the detailed plans on various issues compared to John McCain so there is still record and evidence as to how Obama will operate. As Obama continues to receive more detailed information about the state of the nation as President-elect, it makes sense that he will not commit to any plan until he has all the facts, explaining the general description of policy in the “agenda” tab in www.change.gov.

Palin's Media Career Looks Hopeful

Remember that kooky Alaskan Governor? Sarah Whatsername? Well, she might not have won the Vice Presidential race, but don't forget about her too quickly. Turns out her cute antics and "folksy" personality might have scored her a different prize.
More than a few talent agencies have their eyes set in the direction of Sarah Palin for book deals, television commentary, and talk show stardom. According to the New York Post, publishing giant Random House is already "eager" about potential memoirs from the Beauty Queen turned politician. As good as it sounds, however, Howard Rubenstein made the point that the more time she spends in the public eye, the more opportunity she has to make mistakes and "talk herself out of a political job" in 2012.
If everything works out though, she might finally be able to get back at Oprah for her original "Thanks but no thanks."

Spending less during the holidays?

New York Magazine’s “cover story” last week, titled “Live Cheap Without Giving up Much” offered some unique advice, such as “Trade in Your Dog for a Fish,” but also caused a revaluation of the effect of our spending habits, and how these habits will have to change because of the impact of the recession. An NPR article by Dina Temple-Raston discussed the statistics released by the Labor Department that indicated the unemployment rate to be at "6.5 percent" and stated that there was a "240,000-job loss" in October. According to Temple-Raston, the annual job loss is “over 1.2 million.” An article from Yahoo News explained that with the unemployment issue, we can expect Congress to “enact a stimulus fiscal package” that will include “unemployment benefits.” However, the article said that the economic situation is not likely to improve soon, with industries suffering and people having trouble finding even part-time jobs. The results are sure to affect America’s shopping choices in the upcoming holiday season. A Consumer Reports poll, consisting of “a nationwide survey of 1,001 adults,” indicated that 59 percent of shoppers are considering to “give fewer gifts,” while 84 percent said that they would “purchase less gifts for themselves.” It will be interesting to see if these predictions come true, or whether shoppers will just buy more at stores that offer lower prices, such as the Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target trio.