by Jason on July 20, 2009
In today’s Dispatch, there is a fascinating story from the AP analyzing voter turnout in the 2009 election. The main focus of this article discusses the fact that less Caucasian voters went to the polls this time around. They pontificate whether or not this had an effect, leading to the election of President Obama. According to the article:
Census figures released today show about 63.6 percent of the nation’s eligible voters, or 131.1 million people, voted last November.
Although that represented an increase of 5 million voters — virtually all of them minorities — the turnout relative to the population of eligible voters was a decrease from 63.8 percent in 2004.
That is interesting. But what I find even more interesting is this finding:
The decline in percentage turnout was the first in a presidential election since 1996. At that time, voter participation fell to 58.4 percent – the lowest in decades – as Democrat Bill Clinton won an easy re-election over Republican Bob Dole amid a strong economy.
I guess that all of the build-up to this election in which massive turnout was projected didn’t quite come to fruition.
by Jason on July 19, 2009
If you live in or near Westerville, Ohio, it will be no surprise to you that it was listed as one of the best places to live by CNN and Money Magazine. In fact, it was voted #15! I didn’t see any other suburbs in Central Ohio even on the list.
by Jason on July 17, 2009
According to the Dispatch, Cleveland is set to begin enforcement of a texting while driving ban. Wonder what penalties you will incur should you choose to violate the new law in Cleveland?
- First Offense = $100
- Second Offense = $250
- Third Offense = $500
I say, good for Cleveland. Will it cut out the texting problem all together? No. But it will make people think before they send that unnecessary message.
Consequently, a great program out there that can be used to send voice to text messages is Vlingo.
by Jason on July 16, 2009
Full disclosure: I am an adjunct faculty member at Columbus State Community College.
Finally, I have found an Obama policy that I can support. According to Slate Magazine, President Obama is proposing a plan to bring more respect to America’s community colleges.
In a speech Tuesday in Warren, Mich., he proposed sinking nearly $12 billion into revamping the country’s community-college system. The plan would provide $9 billion in grant money to boost academic programs and raise graduation rates, plus another $2.5 billion to upgrade school facilities. It would also fund open-source online courses so that schools don’t have to build more classrooms to admit more students.
As a high school and college educator, I see this issue from many different angles. As our economy continues to falter, it is very tough for high school students and their parents to spend such a large chunk of money to send their students to a traditional four-year college. Let’s face it…for many it takes five years or more to attain the traditional four-year degree. According to the College Board, college tuition prices continue to increase.
Private four-year $25,143 (up 5.9 percent from last year)
Public four-year $6,585 (up 6.4 percent from last year)
Community College continue to prove to be a great idea for many high school students to begin their college careers. For many it can be a more affordable option to take general education courses that will then transfer to four-year degree college and universities from which they can ultimately earn their degrees.
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