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Name: Cory Bailey Class: Junior Hometown: Orrville, Ohio Major: Finance Political Affiliation: Republican Choice for President: McCain
Taxes, job security and Social Security are among the issues that drive junior finance major Cory Bailey's vote.
A native of Orrville, Ohio, the headquarters of the J.M. Smucker's Corporation for more than 108 years, Bailey said the company is the livelihood of his community.
Bailey said he worked at the factory multiple summers and is aware of multiple donations the corporation made to the community, including funds in support of local schools.
"Smucker's is a big deal in Orrville," Bailey said.
Yet while Bailey's hometown is home to a major corporation, he said the majority of residents work for small businesses.
"A lot more people are subject to unemployment if taxes are raised on small businesses which could really hurt the area," Bailey said.
While Bailey is concerned with the welfare of his community, he said his parents' job security with the U.S. Postal Service is also a major factor in his political decisions this year. In 2007, the Postal Service recorded $5.1 billion in net losses compared to a 2006 $989 million net income, according to usps.com.
However, Bailey said he is optimistic the economy will bounce back from the recession.
"The market right now is lower than it should be because it overcorrects itself," Bailey said.
"The market will probably correct itself the other way when we get out of the recession, which is just part of capitalism."
Bailey said he doesn't believe Obama's claims to not raise taxes and doesn't see his plan as the most beneficial for America's economic health.
"The proof is out there that he will raise taxes," Bailey said. "Under Obama, we will see higher taxes on small businesses, which is the wrong direction considering the current state of things. The economy needs spending and growth."
Bailey said McCain has similar economic policies to the Bush administration, including stabilizing or lowering taxes, which Bailey considers to be healthy for the market.
"All the president really controls for tax policies is (whether or not) to raise or lower taxes, and right now raising taxes is not a good idea," Bailey said.
Another issue influencing Bailey's vote is Social Security. Bailey said he would like to see a president take initiative on the subject.
"It's going to messy," Bailey said, "but it's something that needs to be dealt with."
With two grandparents relying on Social Security and pension, Bailey said he is concerned his parents will not see the same reimbursement.
"I'm concerned for my parents because they put a great deal of money in Social Security and I reassure them that they are paying for my grandparents retirement, but think they themselves won't see any of it," Bailey said.
To Bailey, the issue of future Supreme Court appointments is also important.
"I don't think either candidate will be bi-partisan in their selections," Bailey said.
While Bailey said the election race is not over until Nov. 4, he feels Obama will emerge as winner.
"Anything that happens up to Election Day can influence the election," Bailey said. "Come Election Day, I think it's going to be closer than people think. I think McCain would be more committed to our country overall, but I still see Obama more than likely going to win."
