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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
HOW DO YOU VOTE? READ THE ISSUES TAKE THE QUIZ
BY LAUREN CUNNINGHAM
Answer the following questions with, what you believe, are the best solutions to each situation. Though after finishing this quiz, there might be an obvious outcome as to whom you vote for, remember: only you will know what to do when you step up to the ballot.
Imagine you are the C.E.O. of a large corporation, but you come from a lower, middle-class background. You know that the outcome of the election will change current U.S. tax policy. Would you rather see:
A. Tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% of tax payers-OR-
B. Tax breaks for middle and lower class tax payers
C. Pretend you're a recent graduate of the School of Education and have just been hired as a fourth grade teacher. In your next several years of teaching, would you rather:
A. Be held strictly accountable for how your students perform on standardized tests as a basic form of learning-OR-
B. Teach the basic curriculum needed for assessments while also incorporating activities that don't need to help text learn
3. You're the owner of a major oil com
pany who has equal investments in both current oil production and funding for research to find alternative fuels. Would you rather support: A. An increase in domestic offshore drilling that would increase your profits and drastically reduce dependency on foreign oil. OR- B. More funding for an alternative to oil that might not bring in as much profit, but could be environmentally better
4. Given the position of Secretary of State, you get a phone call from and Iranian leader about putting another nuclear reactor online. Do you... A. Ignore the phone call and let your economic policies impose your will (your economic policies restrict economic relations with Iran). -OR-B. Take the phone call to set up a series of discussions in which you negotiate how to better handle the situation
5. One of your good friends has just told you that he or she would like to enlist in the armed forces and fight in Iraq. Do you... A. Fully support him/her in his/her decision to help out the military services bring democracy to the Iraq government-OR.
B. Try to course! him/her into staying because you believe the efforts of the military in Iraq will not be
enough to change the Iraqi government
Youre a 24-year-old graduate whose health care premiums have become too costly for your budget, and you ask your father for advice about what to do. He tells you that you can't afford to not have health coverage, and he gives you two options. Which one would you choose? A. Save money to get a better plan which would allow you to be able to afford a better premium - OR-B. Because nationally people are paying more, you would not have to worry about find health care because it will be offered to everyone
7. As a U.S. citizen of today's generation, how would you like the country to be represented to the rest of the world?
A. A traditional representation that signifies ideals began in the early 1900s upheld still today -OR-B. A different viewpoint or representation that shows the diverse culture and ideals in a new and changing America
Sources: www.barackobama.com, www.johnmccain.com
If you choose more A's your views are more closely aligned with Sen. John M.Cain (R-Ariz.). If answer B is your most frequent choice, Sen. Barack Obauma (D-III) fits your views best.
ENVIRONMENTAL: HOW GREEN SHOULD WE GO?
BY MICOLE ARONOWITZ
editor@kansan.com
Democrats contend that oil companies have millions of acres of land that they're not drilling that should be developed before any new drilling takes place. Congressional action on this issue is still pending.
Environmental and energy concerns are big issues on the political agenda. With the constant pendulum swing of gas prices, one of the proposals to lower both the price of gas and crude oil is offshore drilling.
In August 2008, President Bush called for a restart of drilling, though Congress banned offshore drilling in 1981. Both parties have different views on the proper action to take. Republicans want to "drill here and drill now," because of the high gas prices.
"I am against the current legislation on any offshore drilling because it will not have an immediate effect on the economy," Jonathan Eisen, St. Louis junior, said. "It will
take 10 years before there is a drop in oil prices."
The topic of energy independence has liberals supporting nonfossil fuels and conservatives in favor of domestic oil sources.
Maggie MacDonald, St. Louis sophomore, agrees Americans should not rely on oversea oil supplies.
"We should use our own resources," she said. "We should not go somewhere else to drill."
Wind, solar and wave power are sources of alternative energy that could be used in place of fossil fuels. Althea Schnacke, Lawrence junior, supports the use of alternative energy.
"It's free," she said. "It takes startup capital, but after that it pays for itself."
Because of the nation's reliance on automobiles, it is lacking when it comes to energy efficiency.
Zach White, Riverside, Iowa senior, supports energy conservation because of the money he would save.
"Solar and wind energy is
cheaper" he said. "I wouldn't have electric bills."
Global warming and greenhouse gases have a serious impact on the environment. The dispute about this issue is how much of the emissions are natural climate functions versus human activity.
Jenny Mohwinkle, Topeka senior, said that we should be concerned about the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment.
"We have neglected it for so long," she said. "There could be some big problems."
The issue of conservation and maintaining natural resources is a substantial part of both presidential candidates' platforms. Brenna Daldorph, Lawrence junior, remembers one of her professors saying that the environmental crisis will affect us more than the financial crisis and Sept. 11.
"I am interested in environmental issues," she said. "It is absolutely necessary for the candidates to be aware of what is happening to the environment."
Edited by Kelsey Hayes
State Representative Paul Davis works hard to represent KU interests at the State Capitol. He helped lead the fight for deferred maintenance monies to repair our crumbling classrooms and has been a strong advocate for holding down tuition costs. Paul's work was recognized by the Kansas Citizens for Higher Education, who gave him an "A" for his voting record on issues important to Kansas universities.
PAUL DAVIS A LEADER WHO LISTENS
Gay rights and equality for homosexuals is a debate that has been taken to the highest courts in past years. United States Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that no state prohibit homosexual activity. Justice Anthony Kennedy defended this under the right of privacy, meaning that people should be allowed to engage in activities in their private domain.
"Progress will be slow, but I believe that I'll see gay marriage federally recognized in my lifetime."
Campbell said. In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled in Bowers v. Hardwick that, "the constitution does not confer a fundamental right upon homosexuals to engage in sodomy." Although the Supreme Court overruled this case seventeen years later, homosexuality remains a controversial topic.
Three states in the U.S. have legalized same-sex marriage. Those states are Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut. Although the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage, many are hopeful for a change.
Lets send Paul back to Topeka to keep fighting for us!
Religious beliefs are one argument against gay rights. There are numerous verses throughout the bible that oppose homosexuality. An example of this is in Leviticus 20:13, 23, where it is stated that homosexuality is an "abomination."
Legal arguments are another reason the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage. The Defense of Marriage Act is a federal law passed in 1996. The act defines marriage as being strictly between a man and a woman," . even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state"
Same-sex marriage and equality of homosexuals is a discussion political candidates have as well. In the Vice Presidential debate on October 2nd at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, both candidates made their views clear on the issue. "Neither Barack Obama or myself support redefining, from a civil side, what constitutes marriage." Senator Joe Biden said. The Republican vice presidential candidate stated similar views on the definition of marriage at the debate. "I don't support defining marriage as anything but between one man and one woman." Governor Sarah Palin said.
GAY RIGHTS DEBATE RAGES ON
BY BARBARA PLATTS
bplatts@kansan.com
Homosexuality and equality for homosexuals are issues that continue to be debated in the United States. Throughout the university there are many students opinionated and active in communicating gay rights, Ryan Campbell, Olathe senior, is the president of a club on campus called Queens and Allies.
ARGUING IMMIGRATION
"Queers and Allies maintains a wide variety of roles in the KU community, most notably working on activism, educational outreach, and social networking." Campbell said. "At the end of the day, our goal is to spread awareness that LGBT students are the same as everyone else."
Paid for by Davis for State Representative. Margaret Perkins-McGuinness, Treasurer PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT
BY VIRGINIA DOWNING
editor@kansan.com
According to OnTheLives.org, the people in the United States who support immigration are giving citizens from other countries a chance to live a different life. Proimmigration advocates say that the anti-immigration advocates are promoting racism because of the large amount of Hispanic immigrants, and the anti-immigrant supporters are shortening the growth of their population. Some students believe Immigrants should have the right to be a U.S.citizen. Since the U.S.admits over 660,000 legal immigrants a year since 1998, students are not worried about the growth of population. "I have heard many reasons to be against it, but personally I don't really see a big problem; it doesn't affect me" Jon Quick, Mission junior.
Family history also influences some students toward immigration. Lori Jacob, Olathe sophomore said.
"Pretty much all of my relatives, grandparents and beyond are from Europe so they were immigrants at a time."
Student who are against immigration are not against the immigrants, but the system. Freshmen Sean Leach and Katy Mac Cormack from O Fallon Missouri both agreed that the system could use some work. "I'm against Illegal immigration, but if they go through the system that's okay; there is room for improvement for sure," said Leach.
"I'm neutral about it, but I think the system could definitely be improved or sped up because there are people who have lived here for a long time and are still not U.S. citizens," said MacCormack.
The people in the United States who do not support immigration are concerned about the over growth of the United States population. They also would like to keep the main language of the United States English. The main concern for anti-immigration supporters is the illegal immigrants living in the U.S. According to Onthelssues, about 5 million illegal immigrants reside in the U.S. and continues to grow by 275,000 a year. Most of the illegal immigrants were from Mexico with a climbing rate of $50$.
Exercise Your Right to vote on November 4
Assert Your Rights.
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TWO SIDES OF HEALTHCARE
SUBMIT Contributing to Student Success SENATE
BY CHRISTY NUTT editor@kansan.com
Republicans fear that Obama's proposed reform would lead to universal healthcare, which has been noted for having limited choices.
Republicans and Democrats have identified many problems with the current healthcare system, such as high numbers of uninsured, unreasonable cost of coverage and overcrowded emergency rooms. This topic has been a main focus during the presidential debates and the entirety of the campaigns. Both presidential nominees have proposed two very different plans regarding healthcare.
According to Jonathan Oberlander,from the Massachusetts Medical Society, John McCain's proposal focuses on offering a refundable tax credit of $5,000 for families and $2,500 for individuals. McCain's proposal also relies on increasing competition in the insurance industries through deregulations.
Alex Rock, the President of the Dole Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board, said that, Obama's proposal is more realistic for solving the problems of getting basic coverage to everyone and opening up emergency rooms.
Barack Obama has also offered a detailed reform policy to the current healthcare system. Oberlander describes Obama's proposal as striving to provide basic coverage through employer mandates, new options of public and private insurance programs and regulations on insurance companies. Obama would require employers to either offer coverage, or pay a tax to fund the uninsured. His plan would also enforce regulations against private insurers who deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions. The option of private or public coverage would still be left to the individual.
Rock argues that some people don't have the required time or education to research their own health care options needed in McCain's plan. He added that because people don't have the resources needed it could lead to individuals not using the refund money for healthcare, creating the same problems.
Jesse Vaughn, the President of College Republicans at KU said McCain's proposal would allow people to decide which coverage they wanted, and would take some of the red tape away from the healthcare industry.
Obama supporters think that McCain's rebate could fall short of the actual funds needed for some families.
When asked about Obama's proposal, Vaughn said it would be giving control to the government and taking power away from the people.
It has been stressed by McCain's campaign that his proposed reform would work within the fundamentals of the free market system to lower healthcare prices through competition.
Although it may not be the only deciding factor on Election Day, Americans are taking the issue of healthcare very seriously.
"This is an important issue that people need to be thinking about on November 4th," Vaughn said.
Rock also commented on the significance of healthcare.
"This was not the deciding factor but very important. The candidate I have chosen to vote for has a plan I agree with."