If one takes a moment and looks beyond the reasons every party seems to be promoting – why a vote for the other candidate/party is not good for America, and takes a cursory look at the challenges ahead of us, one might easily conclude that there may not be a very big difference who is elected to office.

Obviously, Obama and Romney have a very different world view, agenda, and plan (even if the plan neither been articulated nor shared with the American public in any significant detail).

The harsh reality is that we have a $16 trillion debt, and unprecedented deficit, looming social security issues, looming Medicare issues, higher defense spending then the second third and fourth place countries combined, high unemployment, a corporate tax rate that creates an incentive for companies to take their business elsewhere, and a global economy in which our foreign counterparts are more efficient in many areas.

With all of these looming challenges in the backdrop, we are assaulted with questions of whether Mr. Romney should disclose his tax returns (although not required to do so by law) or how egregious the (hopefully) accidentally released commercial regarding Romney as the cause of a woman’s death.

Medicare has become a big issue, because each party is trying to get the senior vote. However, the disagreement should be able to be resolved by an independent audit, accounting firm, or any other disinterested party that actually had the time and inclination to ascertain which plan would ultimately adversely affect Medicare.

Similarly, the Latino vote is being courted with some hollow immigration concessions which at best puts a bad aid on the real issue.

Obviously, immigration, entitlements, education, and foreign policy are also very important.

My question is if any of the candidates in their four-year term (in the case of Obama) or eight-year term (potentially in the case of Romney) can really address these issues in a meaningful way. . Let’s not forget that the president is not the “all-powerful” or ” omnipotent” person that people often assume.

We fortunately have checks and balances in this country and ultimately the president is subject to Congress and the Supreme Court.

Can any president really effect change considering the challenges we face.

Even if one party won both the presidential election and control of Congress would they be really able effect change.

Can change only occur if Americans as a whole recognize that there are some very tough (and painful) choices to be made, and the sacrifices can not be solely made by the other fellow or the other party.

Can real change be effected without consensus between the parties.

Has either candidate shown that they can reach across the divide and reach a consensus. Has this multi billion dollar “race to the bottom” campaign so muddied the waters that it is improbable that whoever wins will be able to effect meaningful change.