Election Season Brings Out the Best and Worst

By Preston Michelson '13

Nothing riles up citizens of the United States more than a Presidential election. Seldom are the days in which the Democratic or Republican parties do not fill answering machines with recorded messages and television commercials with their vitriolic hatred.

There is nothing more essential to the long-standing success of the United States than the democratic process of election. The presidential campaign process, however, has drastically changed, and not for the better. 

Candidates are becoming increasingly focused on demeaning the opposing party, and less focused on bettering their own case.

On a recent drive down 82nd Avenue on my way to school, I witnessed Palmetto Bay supporters of vice-mayoral candidate Brian Pariser. They were out early in the morning, spreading the word about their candidate. This is the true essence of the American democratic system: promotion of a candidate that you trust and support. 

Far too present are both left- and right-wing supporters who have no patience or understanding of the other side. This should be an optimistic time in America, looking forward to an improved country. But optimism is nowhere to be found--only hate. 

Politics and religion are two topics that should be avoided at all costs in our present society. People have become over-sensitive and over-reactive, with no room for understanding. 

The promotion of your own candidate's ideologies is beneficial for the well-being of the United States. The disregarding of the opponent's viewpoints is foolish and trifling. This tactic, however, is not only possessed by supporters, but by the candidates themselves. 

Presidential hopefuls always throw around the buzz-word of "change." More often than not, this change is abstract, nothing more than a proposition. It's about time to show some real change, and make a difference. Let us return to whence our country came from. 

Holding signs with the message "Romney Ryan 2012" is constructive, and shows your dedication to the Republican party. Signs like "Nobama" are disappointing courses of action. 

The candidates should be accountable. Clearly, this change will not occur in this year's election cycle. But going forward, your own message should be more powerful than decrying the opponent's. 

Japanese Telecommunications Company Purchases Sprint For $20 Billion

By Preston Michelson

The third-largest wireless carrier in the United States now has received a shot in the arm, as the Japanese mobile phone company SoftBank has purchased 70 percent of Sprint for a whopping sum of $20 billion.

This transaction is expected to be finished in mid-2013, and will give Sprint the ability to improve its 4G LTE network, which trails behind AT&T and Verizon Wireless. 

SoftBank's purchase has been approved by the boards of both companies, but it yet needs to pass through the approval American regulators and of Sprint's shareholders, as Sprint is publicly traded. 

Andrew Miller '13 sees this deal as a game-changer. Assuming that the deal passes through the FCC, he sees this kind of funding as giving "Sprint the opportunity to become a major player again." 

Although the reaction of Sprint's purchase has been mostly positive, SoftBank has not received such praise. Their shares have dropped more than 5 percent in Japan, their lowest finish in five months. 

SoftBank is no stranger to large-scale purchases, as they bought Vodafone's Japan unit for $15.5 billion in 2006. This acquisition, however, is the largest foreign purchase ever conducted by a Japanese company. 

Masayoshi Son, the founder and chief of SoftBank, has a reputation of being a risk-taker. His purchase of Vodafone was treated as a risk, but he was able to double the value of that company. 

This purchase allows SoftBank to enter into an American market that is thriving, as opposed to the Japanese market which has stalled. Allowing Sprint to become a powerful presence in telecommunications would indeed prove Son's investment worthwhile, while making this transaction a win-win for both sides.