For weeks and months now, I have been watching the news and following campaign stumps, debates, election results. I've listened to numerous networks' spin on the primary election and all the candidates running. Now that we are getting close to having a clear picture of who will be running for President, I have gotten more interested in finding out who can better represent my needs, beliefs, wants, and the direction I want for the country. I checked out Barack Obama's official website -http://www.barackobama.com/index.php. Obama has made a lot of promises such as providing new health plan to all Americans. This plan will provide subsidies to individuals and families who will need financial assistance to purchase a health plan. He promised tax breaks to working families which will impact approximately 150 million workers and will eliminate income tax for 10 million. He also promised to eliminate taxes to seniors making less than $50,000; this will impact about 7 million seniors. He promised to provide Child and Dependent Tax Credits; Incentives for Working families targeted to low and middle income Americans earning under $75,000. He will provide Retirement Savings for Working Families which will match 50% of the 1st $1000 of savings for families that earn less than $75,000. There are so much more he promised to do which while they are good and noble goals for the citizens of this country will cost money. So I ask the question where will he get the money to fund all these incentives when there is so much tax breaks being given to a targeted population (those earning less than $75,000 in most cases). Who is going to bear the cost of all these programs? Is it realistic to expect that he will be able to deliver all these promises without additional burden on those who are not in the low to middle income tax bracket? I don't know about you but I just feel that while I understand the need to provide help to those who need help especially for the low income, I can't take anymore additional or higher taxes. In my area, I look around and I see the government provide new housing for the low income while people who pay enormous amount of taxes struggle to keep up with their rent or mortgage and upkeep of their old houses. There is nobody in government who can help because their income does not fit the set income to be able to avail oneself of the government programs or subsidies. I think to myself, they are lucky they don't have to worry about paying property tax; they don't have to pay high income tax especially here in California; they can get free health care; their kids ride school bus for free while other families shell out hundreds of dollars for their kids.

There is so much at stake in this year's election. I think all of us should take the opportunity to get to know the candidates; understand their agenda and stand on different issues; the impact to us personally in our own individual situation; what is their stand on issues that are important to us. I know now that I can't just be swept by a crowd and follow blindly. My future and my family's future are at stake. I hope you take the time to be informed!!!! Your future is at stake too!