After last Tuesday’s midterm election votes were tallied, Republicans gained control of the House. Dems still control the Senate, but the right has certainly swept in and gained an enormous (and not unexpected) amount of clout on Capitol Hill.

What does this mean for the next two years? Will there be massive changes in America or will the country suffer an endless and aggravating partisan tug-o-war over legislation?

Several weeks ago, the top issues going into the election were the economy, the deficit, and health care. Now that the election is over, it’s interesting to revisit these issues and figure out what the atmospheric shift means.

The Economy
On December 31, the tax cuts that were created during the Bush presidency will be reassessed. Obama claims he will be open to conversation with Republicans concerning an extension, but has given no word on a compromise. Considering it would be difficult for many of the current legislators to create a comprehensive bill during the lame duck period, the most plausible solution would be a one-year extension of the Bush-era cuts. This will not really help or hurt the economy, but will lead to further conversation concerning the economic future of America. Read More »

Is that really Kate Winslet?

Stay in the know! Track election results all day!

Your jeans are killing the environment!

It’s Heidi Klum’s turn to rock out with Guitar Hero.

Madonna’s fans are dangerous.

The GOP is trying to disqualify Iowa student ballots!

What did Lo and LC wear for Halloween?

More election day snacks and drinks for your party.

Shopping on a budget? Make a list.

Bush is so over the White House.

Who did Sarah Palin vote for? She’s not telling!

Today is Election Day, and your only real responsibility is to vote. Whether you’re affixing a stamp to an absentee ballot or pulling the lever in a voting booth, get out there and make your opinon heard!

But, we in the youngest (and perhaps extremely influential) voting demographic also reserve our right to party! And after all the ballots are cast, tonight is shaping up to be the biggest party night in America. So after you’ve done your civic duty, grab your friends and get ready to watch the returns with these creative suggestions:

The Setting:

Make sure you have the essentials: a television and ample seating room. But why not spruce up the space for the occasion? If you’re lucky to have the day off from classes today (as we do at my school– thank you, Fordham!), take a few minutes to make some posters! Rasterbator is an online application that will make any image you choose into a poster up to 20 meters in size. (The image will be blown up and printed out in pieces on regular 8 1/2 x 11″ sheets of paper, so you just assemble the sheets like a grid.) It’s really quick, extremely simple, and only requires the internet and a printer.

The Games

Take it a step further by printing two posters (one of Obama and one of McCain) and grabbing some construction paper. Cut out 50 squares from construction paper and label them with the names of each state. Have your guests tack each respective state onto the poster of the candidate who wins it, to keep track of election returns. Read More »

They’re trooping off to the polls in the biting November chill, snug in their Uggs and North Faces zipped to the collars. They’re waking up too early and standing around in long lines for something that isn’t free food. They’re American college students, and they are voting.

Smell that? That’s the smell of freedom. Also, American college students don’t shower much.

Are you with them – or are you against them? Political nihilists beware: the jaded, “The-electoral-college-it’s-a-broken-system-f**k-I’m-moving-to-the-Moon” attitude won’t get you anywhere this year, because cynicism is out and passion is in! If it’s such a big stick up your ass, go vote for Bob Barr or something. If he’s not on the ballot, write-in “John from College Candy.” But please, do go and vote.

And what about this evening? You probably don’t have anything important to do while you watch poll results stream in, and “Nation’s First Black President” or “Nation’s First Woman Vice President” are both perfectly acceptable reasons to skip all your classes tomorrow. This means you should drink! Read More »

What are you waiting for? Get to those polls!

Happy Election Day, everyone! I have been waiting for this day for four freaking years, so I can’t wait to head to the polls and get my vote on. If you aren’t quite as stoked as I am, and think you have better things to do than sit around in a long ass line and submit a ballot (full of things you don’t understand), think again.

There are lots of great reasons to vote. Here are just a few of the biggest and baddest:

1. Exercise your right: There are people in this world who don’t have the right to vote. We do, and that is something we should not take for granted. We are so fortunate to be able to have a say in who leads us, what laws get passed and the future of our country. Being that we are college students, this election effects us the most as we will be the people getting jobs, making changes and moving this country forward. We must not sit back and let other people decide our future!

2. Free donuts: Wear your “I Voted” sticker into a neighborhood Krispy Kreme and get a special election themed donut free!

3. Free coffee: Take that free donut and head to the Bucks where you can get a free tall coffee just for casting your vote. The perfect (free) breakfast.

4. Free ice cream: Go vote early so you can get some free Ben and Jerry’s from 5-8.

5. Free sex toys: Those who vote deserve a little pleasure, so head to Babeland to pick up your free Silver Bullet mini vibrator. This thing totally puts the OH! in Obama.

Seriously, if you don’t care about the future of this country (what is wrong with you!?), then at least vote for the free food. I mean, free Starbucks?! That’s gotta be worth something.

Did Obama give McCain the finger?

Who needs a man? Go to the movies alone!

Someone got the axe at Grey’s Anatomy.

OMFG. He’s so hot.

The election night drinking game.

What happens if the other dude wins?

So, Joe the Plumber didn’t get with that chick from SNL…

Tips for acing every class.

You’ve done your civic duty – now treat yourself!