OPINION
7A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY OCTOBER 30, 2005
FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Why students should vote for Obama
For most college students, this is the first time we can vote for a president.
Ralph Nader's proposals
The editorial board went through some difficulty but finally sided with Barack Obama.
were appealing, but we're disappointed by the lack of details on how to establish the changes he calls for.
John McCain's experience and past bipartisan efforts are positive, but a myopic understanding of what kind of change is needed has undermined his campaign.
We don't agree with all of Obama's positions, but his outlook is refreshing. He recognizes our country's problems
— the economic inequalities, the failed healthcare system, the misguided foreign policy — and has proposed solid plans.
Obama may not have McCain's experience, but he has much better judgment, whether it be in opposing the Iraq War or in picking an acceptable running mate, and we consider that to be much more important.
We also evaluated the candidates on individual issues. We did that because there is no perfect candidate. Although we can pick one to endorse, others may have better ideas in different issues.
OVERALL WINNER:
ECONOMY
McCain's plan to cut taxes is a rehash of a policy that served well in the past but comes off as out of touch with current needs. Obama's plan identifies the struggles of the middle and lower classes. His tax plan recognizes that cutting taxes for the wealthy has damaged the ability to finance many things that the entire population relies on.
Universal tax cuts have been favored for a long time. It now appears that the middle class recognizes the benefits of pooling resources through the government to obtain social benefits, such as health care and education.
Obama is also aware that spending can be helpful in stimulating the economy. The economic crisis demands new economic ideals. However, Obama would do well in taking some ideas from Nader, who has shed light on the structural problems of our economy. Nader's positions on NAFTA, fair trade and agricultural subsidies should be seriously considered if a truly effective reform is to take place.
FOREIGN POLICY
We need a president who will reverse the unilateral attitude of the Bush administration. With that in mind, the candidate who is most capable of doing that is Obama
Obama might not have as much foreign policy experience as McCain, but he has surrounded himself with capable advisors.
CATEGORY WINNER:
Unfortunately, Obama is similar to McCain in that he is not considering reducing the size of the military so that we can invest on social services at home. The same is true to his unconditional support of Israel. Those are both things that Nader is ahead of either of the mainstream candidates.
Obama, like Nader, has recognized that our occupation in Iraq is unsustainable and that we should end that war as soon as possible.
Obama's Indonesian background has shaped his views of the world. He realizes that not all is black and white and that where much of the gray dominates the last thing we need is a "maverick."The return to diplomacy with Obama is a heartening prospect.
CATEGORY WINNER:
VICE PRESIDENT
Throughout his campaign McCain used the experience card against Obama. And then he chose Sarah Palin as VP.
Joe Biden has much more experience than Palin and balances any lack of experience Obama might have.
In addition to his time as a senator, Biden has been the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. The importance of foreign relations is at an all-time high, and Biden would help guide Obama.
Palin has been governor of Alaska since 2006. Before that, she spent two terms as mayor of Wasililla and two terms on Wasililla's city council. Since her selection, she has made questionable comments and proved that she is not even close to prepared to be the vice president.
Biden has a reputation for making gaffes, but they are just that: gaffes. Palin, on the other hand, has shown she doesn't have much knowledge of the world outside of Alaska. Biden built a career on foreign relations, and Palin has seen Russia from her porch but not much else.
CATEGORY WINNER:
ENVIRONMENT
It's refreshing to see candidates who acknowledge the consequences of climate change, energy consumption and the atrocious state of environmental policy.
Obama wants to invest $150 billion during 10 years to jump start research into alternative energy.
Obama and McCain say they would implement some sort of cap-and-trade program, but Obama's plan pushes companies harder. He said he would charge companies for permits instead of just giving them away, giving companies more incentive to clean up their act.
But Obama and McCain should take a few ideas from Nader and back away from the still hypothetical clean coal and offshore drilling. Nader opposes clean coal because no such thing exists. Obama has supported clean coal, but it doesn't jibe with Obama's "change" mantra. Obama finally gave in to offshore drilling this summer when gas prices reached $4 a gallon, but America should start its search for energy elsewhere.
CATEGORY WINNER:
Our medical industry operates for profit, and compassion for our sick doesn't mesh well with profit. To ensure that sick Americans don't go without care it's necessary to have everyone chip in to help.
HEALTHCARE
That is Nader's plan. He wants to provide universal health care and pay for it with a flat tax.
Nader's plan would help the economy. Some American companies struggle to compete because they shoulder employee health care costs. Costs could be reduced because the government would benefit from economy of scale and because insurance companies would be cut out.
Obama wants the poor to receive care but has been less than explicit about where the money will come from.
McCain wants to essentially end employer care, deregulate the market and let families shop around for their insurance company with a $5,000 tax break, which in most cases isn't nearly enough.
It is time to consider single payer health care, and Nader is the only one proposing it.
CATEGORY WINNER:
How the U.S. should choose its candidates
and names like "Turbo" This is American Candidates.
Ryan: This proves the debates are an obsolete tradition that must be updated for modern times. We are impatient people. We demand action. This country cannot be run by just any Joe Six-pack. It requires a president that actually has a six-pack. We don't need candidates — we need gladiators. Thus, we propose a new format to consider, one that combines everything Americans admire — flowing mullets, tight spandex
Pope: If we, the people, have learned one thing from this year's slew of presidential debates, it's nothing. But if we've learned two things, the second would be that they are little more than glorified drinking games for an increasingly jaded populace. The key is to be so drunk that you are fully convinced you don't live in the country these two candidates are arguing about.
TYLER DOEHRING
THE JOUST
Contestants ... er, candidates will go head-to-head against tough issues facing America with nothing but a pugil stick and the inbred offspring of a hockey and football helmet to protect them. They will have no choice but to deal with these problems directly or plummet 20 feet to the mat below. It's hard to stay focused when you're staring up at all 6-foot-5, 220 pounds of The Economizer when he's making his pecs dance in a taunting fashion.
In this next grueling event, it's hit or be hit as challengers endure a bombardment of rapid-fire questions from a tennis-ball cannon controlled by the ruthless Moderator. This should be an event that the candidates have much experience in — dodging more difficult queries and firing back their own prepared remarks with the hope of hitting the target. But they're racing against the clock, and if any unexpected
ASSAULT
subjects manage to catch them off guard, they'll be out, losing valuable points with the audience. And those things can leave a nasty bruise.
If things are still too close to call, challengers must battle it out one-on-one in this strenuous obstacle course designed to push them to their limits for our amusement. From the hand-bikes and balance beam to the giant cargo net and zip-line, whoever finishes first will be the kind of leader this country has truly deserved: strong, sweaty, exhausted and immediately regret-
This event ain't for the faint or heart or the camera-shy. Although some candidates might claim that the odds are unfairly stacked against them, they must take their turn through the media frenzy and try to return unscathed. Blocking the narrow, high-walled path to victory are three of the toughest obstacles in this competition: The Pundit-sher, a take-no prisoners opponent who's as stubborn as
THE GAUNTLET
a boulder and twice as big; The Manchor, who claims he's all about stone-cold facts yet still answers to the highest-bidder; and The Burialist, out for blood and not caring who nets hurt in the process.
THE ELIMINATOR
Pope is a Kansas City senior in English. Snyder is a Leawood senior in English.
Pope: So in the future, when you're following that year's exciting presidential race and every candidate looks like losé Canseco, you'll thank us for another brilliant idea.
Rest assured, if any senile senators manage to bumble their way through the previous trials, this event will stop them in their tracks like a Matt Kleinmann pick.
ting their decision.
Ryan: You're welcome.
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Like any workplace situation, the Kansas State Senate has a learning curve. It takes some years to gain competency in policy topics, such as tax, environment, agriculture and education. Like any workplace, respect is earned from your
Marci Francisco has earned respect of peers
Sen. Marci Francisco (D-Lawrence) has earned the respect of her Senate peers, especially in the areas of environmental and energy policy. Marci understands that our country, while generating coal-powered electricity and burning foreign
peers over time by demonstrating competency, thinking ability and authenticity.
Careful, thoughtful renovation of existing old homes is often sounder than buldozing and landfilling because renovation doesn't waste all the thought, energy and materials that went into the original construction of the house.
— Chris Steineger is a state senator from Kansas City, Kan., and a 1992 graduate.
oil today, must gradually transition to the next generation of power sources that are clean and renewable and can't be disrupted by foreign powers.
When it comes to the environment, Marci practices true green, where one accepts personal responsibility to reduce consumption, avoid waste and recycle when possible.
To contribute to Free for All, call 785-864-0500.
I was sitting at Wendy's, and I saw two sorority girls walk into the girls' bathroom, drop a deuce and walk out laughing without buying anything.
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I'm hoping that one of my friends fails her classes so that she can't transfer to the University of Colorado like she hopes to.
"Oh, we can't play baseball in a little rain." You're not helping baseball look like a good sport.
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Can I burn a smoke? Because I would seriously kill a baby for a cigarette right now.
Texas Tech knew our plays because our trees weren't tall enough around the practice field.
To the guy in Haworth who was walking and ripped ass as I was sitting in the hall: Really, guy? Come on. Have some courtesy.
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Free for All, it is my goal to be in you more than anyone else in the world. Help me out.
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What's the point of going to lectures in Budig if all you are going to do is sit and talk to the guy who is sitting next to you?
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kaanan Editorial Board Alex
Levine, Haitz Harte, Laurent Kehn, Patrick de
Oliveira, R. Ferrer and Todd McDermott.
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