Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (D) was elected the nation's 44th president by a decisive margin yesterday, winning 349 electoral votes to Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) 162.
The president-elect addressed the nation last night, acknowledging the challenges our nation faces at home and abroad, saying, "the road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there."
I congratulate President-elect Obama and hope all Americans rally to support him in working to solve our nation's diverse problems. To EBN readers, whether Obama won your vote or not, I hope that you made your desire for America's future known by participating in the process and that you will make your voice heard to our new president on the issues that matter most to you.
The level of engagement this year from people who never before have participated in the voting process and the change it can yield should inspire you. I encourage you to read up on Obama's positions on health care and retirement, and respond with your unique views.
Speaking of your views, I sincerely thank everyone who participated in our "rock the vote" quickpoll about the benefits-related issue that was most important to you in the election. Not surprisingly, health care reform topped the list, with 37% of the vote. Reducing benefit costs and reducing administrative burdens on HR/benefits staff tied with 30%.
For my part, I look forward to giving the issues that matter most to you and your employees a platform in EBN and bringing you benefits news and trends amid our new political reality.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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2 comments:
I think we should be very concerned about any kind of government managed health plan or 401(k) plan, for two reasons.
1) Look at the state of the Social Security system. Why do we think the government will do a good job of handling our health care when they have failed to fix the SS system?
2) Also, look at other countries that have govenerment mandated health programs (England and Canada). I can assure you having lived in both countries that the majority of people DO NOT find these programs supererior to the healthcare we have here.
The article title is correct in that Senator Obama won a decisive "Electoral College" victory, but you should consider the popular vote. As with Bush, since the popular votes were pretty close, President-Elect Obama's term will have to deal with a nation split (almost) in half. Yes, the win was a sweep, but not so much that Obama will have free reign to make changes very easily.
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