President-Elect Barack Obama’s victory speech late Tuesday night (into Wednesday morning here on the east coast) was inspirational and clear.  He spoke about the record number of voters, which seems to be renewing, if not already, individual’s pride in our nation.  He talked about, in general, what we should expect for the weeks, months and years to come.  He reminded listeners what his election means, a chance to make changes.  Obama eloquently harkened back to the founding of our country as well as the words of Abraham Lincoln, whose political home state was also Illinois.

Whatever apathy rested around the fate of the United States of America fizzled away to nothing more than air when, on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, voters waited in line for up to four hours (perhaps even longer) to make their voices heard.  America should be proud of this election, not simply for the history-making result, but because this was an election truly owned by Americans.  As a nation, we were able to rise above the residual apathy surrounding the voting faux pas of the 2004 election.  This November, wearing an “I voted” sticker was a matter of pride, dignity and duty.

Barack Obama’s speech didn’t sugarcoat our nation’s current situation.  He reminded us of the “long road ahead,” but also that he’s hopeful that over the coming years we will ultimately succeed in our goals, in changing what needs to be changed in order to improve the lives of not only Americans, but people around the globe.  Hearing a political speech that reminds listeners that there will be, as Obama put it, false starts, before we find the right path for the issues before us is refreshing as it lacks the all-around promise that everything will be instantly wonderful and perfect.

In his speech, Obama reminded listeners that his victory in this election is not his alone but belongs to everyone, and that this victory represents a chance to make changes.  He talked about America’s governmental progress throughout the nation’s history and used a metaphor of laying bricks.  If each change we see over the course of his term or terms is a layer of bricks, then this election is the first coating of mortar.  He reminded the nation that in order to make these changes, every individual must renew his or her “spirit of service, sacrifice, patriotism and responsibility.”

Obama quoted President Abraham Lincoln when he was speaking about how each of us must work together in order to achieve our goals.  “We are not enemies, but friends.  Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”  As our 44th President pointed out after quoting our 16th, the time for bi-partisan pettiness, as he put it, is at an end.  One final sentence during which Obama spoke to all Americans, regardless of background or political belief, stuck out above all others.  “I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices; I need your help and I will be your President too.”

And of course, everyone wants to know what kind of puppy Barack Obama is buying for his daughters to bring to the White House.

Change is the catalyst for evolution, and the internet will continue to evolve, especially when it comes to plans for Next-Generation broadband that will bring the internet to communities nationwide.  Let’s do our part, and work together, to maximize the utilization of the internet so that we can heal our economy and provide security for businesses throughout the country, including yours.

Every news network is now reporting Barack Obama as the 44^th President. With almost three hundred electoral votes, against John McCain’s one hundred fifty-five, as they said on the news, “Tonight, every American should be celebrating.” Whether your cause for celebration is that Obama was your choice for President, for the fact that he will be America’s first African-American President or simply for the fact that the campaign is over, celebration is indeed overtaking the nation (at least those who aren’t asleep for the night).

When it comes to the economy though, it’s important to note that the President doesn’t have unmatched control over the economy. Obama’s economic policies will come into play, but it’s just as important to note the Congressional elections and the new Senators that will shape the next four years. In addition to Obama, Biden, the House and the Senate, Obama’s choice of Cabinet members will also be very telling of the next four years. As for the Senate, which is still being said to be too close to call, currently, fifty-six seats are pointed toward democratic senators while forty-four are pointed toward republican senators.

McCain is currently giving a speech, during which he just made a very valuable point; the number of voters that came out of their homes and offices today to voice their opinions. Voter turnout in the last few elections were not anywhere near this year’s turnout of voters. McCain’s speech is graceful to the point of being sure to shush those booing his commendations to Obama. His words emphasized the importance of working together to continue to improve and strengthen our nation. “Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans, and please believe me when I say, no association has ever meant more to me than that.” Those words sufficiently sum up the heart of McCain’s speech.

It’s important to take McCain’s speech into consideration because he emphasizes the need to work together. Over the coming years, hopefully voters will continue to flood to the polls and write to representatives to express views and participate in local and national levels of government.

As far as what to expect for the economy, when it comes to details, those projections may have to wait as much as a week while we wait for the Senate and House of Representatives elections to cement. The latest question floating around on the news networks is whether our government will take an activist role in our economy or maintain a less active position.

To live during an election as historic as this election is nevertheless exciting. This election will be one of those defining generational moments that touches every generation alive to not only witness this election but to take part, to participate and vote in this election.

As of yet, Barack Obama hasn’t delivered a speech regarding his victory.

Tomorrow is Election Day…will you cast your vote?  It’s difficult to imagine that the moment is almost upon us, after so many months of campaigns, debates, commercials and the confusion into which last month’s economic slump pushed us.  Over the past few discussions, we’ve looked at how the democratic and republican candidates’ policies might affect your business.

It’s important to note, and emphasize, that there are many elements to the economic issue and even more issues to consider before you walk into your local voting center.  Like any election, this is not one to approach without knowing the issues and where you stand.  Whoever you vote for, be certain that your vote is generated from an intellectual pursuit of information and an understanding of the issues at hand and how each candidate’s policies will affect you, your business, and our nation.

Even more important than the issues themselves, the message of our last few discussions was to emphasize the importance of learning about the candidates and what they plan to support or oppose should they win your vote.  Reading between the lines is crucial to understanding the stance of each candidate.  Political campaign information is specifically designed to contain as much vague information as possible.  By reading between the lines, you can figure out the candidate’s slant, in other words, his or her stance, and from there you can seek the facts you need to fill in the gaps.

You’ll notice in our recent discussions that gaps, or vague statements, were pointed out.  This wasn’t to discredit the candidates, but merely to ask the questions that will hopefully prompt each of us to seek the information we need to complete our decision.  Remember that the candidates have the facts when they decide where they stand…but as voters, it’s our responsibility to seek as much as that fact as we can to give context to each candidate’s view.

As for voting itself, please do not discount your right to vote.  Voting is among the most precious freedoms we have.  From a personal standpoint, I have heard many people say things such as, “The vote’s already decided.  I live in a (blue or red) state.”  Your vote does matter.  Each of us has only one vote, but that vote is our legal right to express our opinion.  So many in our country’s history fought to extend the right to vote to various groups to bring that freedom to an equal group of American citizens.

What gives a vote value?  You do.  Your ability to evaluate issues and make an informed decision is what gives your vote value.  Hopefully, our discussions over the past week have emphasized this point among others in an unbiased fashion.  Here at ERUNIX, we encourage you to vote for the candidate you believe would be best for the job of President.  We want you to cast your vote, for whomsoever you choose, no matter what party that candidate belongs to.

In other words, for the purpose of our discussions, it’s not important to us who you vote for, simply that you vote, and that your vote contains the value of your informed decision.  Remember that it’s your legal and constitutional right to cast your vote tomorrow.  Make the time to visit your local voting center on the way to or from work, or on your lunch break, to exercise your right.  If you’re still considering skipping a trip to your voting center, remember that if you’re displeased with the results of tomorrow’s election, and you didn’t vote, then the burden of your disappointment rests upon your shoulders.  If you vote and do not like the results, at least you know that you did your part.  Every vote counts.  Your vote counts.

While many of John McCain’s policies would affect businesses of all sizes, for this discussion we’re going to focus on McCain’s policies on taxes, specifically, as listed on his campaign website, his Pro-Growth Tax Policy and Innovation Tax Policy.  Both of these policies would affect businesses throughout the United States as well as the evolution of technological advances as they pertain to business growth (including the internet).

McCain’s Pro-Growth Tax Policy is divided into four main points: Keep tax rates low, cut corporate tax rates from 35% to 25%, allow first-year deduction or “expensing” of equipment and technology investments and establishing a permanent tax credit equal to 10% of wages spent on R&D.

Keeping tax rates low would benefit entrepreneurs, according to McCain’s campaign website.  McCain proposes that he would keep the top tax rate at 35% and maintain 15% rates on dividends and capital gains.  To further lower taxes within this element of McCain’s tax plan, he proposes to phase out Alternative Minimum tax.  Cutting corporate tax rates by ten percent will make it easier for corporations to do business, as suggested on McCain’s campaign website.

Allowing first-year deduction or “expensing” of equipment and technology investments would do two things for businesses, particularly entrepreneurs.  This deduction would lower the cost of starting a new business as well as push technological sectors forward, thus fueling, for example, the evolution of technology (such as the internet) and how it’s used by businesses.

Establishing a permanent tax credit equal to ten percent of wages spend on R&D would, according to McCain’s campaign website, not only simplify the tax code, but also reward activity within the United States, thus boosting the attractiveness of conducting business within America.

So how does the Pro-Growth Tax Policy propose to affect your business?  That depends on the size and status of your business.  Are you an entrepreneur, entering your first year in business or a corporation entering the twentieth year of business?  This tax policy seems to account for both ends of that spectrum.

McCain’s Innovation Tax Policy holds interest for businesses of all sizes and stages of development.  We’re going to jump ahead to discussing cell phone taxes, and then return to discussing internet taxes.  Cell phones have quickly become the preferred method of contact.  Whatever your business, cell phones allow your clients to reach you even if you have to step away from the office.

That’s allowed many Americans to tailor their commute schedules, offering more fiscal affordability as well as ecological conscientiousness.  You can have a mobile office, a home office, or a brick-and-mortar office.  Some prefer to use text messaging in lieu of phone calls, to deliver and receive instant blurbs of information.

Many cell phones are now what are considered “smart phones” meaning that they provide phone service, text service, email, internet and in many cases additional features such as mp3 compatibility and video or digital cameras.  Imposing taxes on cell phones would decrease the use of this particular innovation that allows us to conduct business wherever we might be.

Imagine paying a laundry list of taxes on the internet.  Would you use it as much for personal use?  What about for your business?  Would internet marketing be as lucrative if it were taxed?  Of course, that depends on what the taxes are, the levels of taxation and how they’re qualified (which users have to pay how much and why).

Lately, in the face of October’s economic nightmare, internet marketing experienced a boost in use for the flexibility and affordability it provides.  Would internet taxes affect your business in a real way or would they be small enough to avoid deterring you?  According to his campaign website, John McCain doesn’t want to wait to find out and with his Innovation Tax Policy, proposes to ban taxation of internet use as well as banning new cell phone taxes (read between the line: the current cell phone taxes will stay).