Last night sparked the unofficial start of the republican presidential race. While the actual presidential election is not over a year and the republican nomination due in a little less than that, the speculation for who will be running has been heated for months.
Familiar faces like Mormon candidate Mitt Romney and Ron Paul fill the stage. And the always over the top Donald Trump flirted with a nomination before quickly pulling out in what some call fear over the examination of financial records. If anything, the pre-race has been drama filled to say the least. And we have not even thrown backwoods Sarah Palin into the mix yet.
Last night, the six top contenders who have already announced their campaign were invited for a debate on CNN. (Noticeably missing was John Huntsman, Jr. who has all but officially declared his candidacy.)
If you are not really into politics this debate or election for that matter. So why should anyone really pay attention? This election will significantly change our health care system.
Even those who are not really into politics will be familiar with the the health care overhaul also known as Obamacare. While many think that the health care system needs a huge overhaul, it has become a sore point for the strong right.
Whoever becomes the republic nominee will directly challenge President Obama. If that nominee can get more votes that the incumbent, the current health care bill will most definitely be challenged.
How will this affect your everyday? In the current health care bill, everyone will be required to have some kind of health insurance, whether it be supplemental health insurance, self employment health insurance or student health insurance. Whatever the insurance, you must have insurance. Or you can face a fine. Insurance will be cheaper overall to make it affordable for every citizen. Health insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Those on the left are cheering for a chance to have affordable health care. Others claim that the health care bill gives the government too much power.
Republicans tend to lean (or completely devote) to the sided against universal health care. And it seems as if the polar opposite of Obama will be the one to win the nomination.
Romney is the current front runner. He has the business experience many think will benefit in understanding the economy, but he his experience as governor of Massachusetts may hold against him. While as governor, Romney enacted a state wide health care plan to provide universal health care plan. Many have compared this to Obamacare. (One candidate, Tim Pawlenty called the health care bill Obamneycare, aligning Romney with Obama.)
While much else besides roasting and bashing the current president went on during the debate, the debate brought forth some key front runners and others who we might forget about shortly after the election.
Health care and the economy are the two biggest sore points of this election, and the republicans will hope to nominate someone who thinks significantly different than Obama. Which is better? That is up to you to decide.