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Statistics suggest that many college students already know who they’re voting for on November 7th. For some, though, the decision-making process is far from over. And for others, the thought of voting is pretty much moot. Wherever you stand, here’s a list of this year’s biggest youth-oriented issues.
Abortion
George W. Bush has
backed a constitutional amendment banning abortion, going along with
the Republican party platform that has long supported such an
amendment. Bush has pronounced himself "pro-life" — yet
he won't say whether he plans on appointing pro-life judges to the
Supreme Court. On a political level, the issue of abortion actually
has two components: abortion itself and partial-birth abortion, a
process where a woman’s cervix is dilated as the fetus is
literally pulled from the womb, feet first. Since most Republicans
are pro-life and nearly all Democrats are pro-choice, partial birth
abortion is the hottest element of the abortion issue.
Bush has taken a very solid stance on the matter. "I know we need to ban partial-birth abortions," he said in a recent debate. "This is a place where my opponent and I have strong disagreements. I believe banning partial-birth abortion would be a positive step toward reducing the number of abortions in America. This is an issue that's going to require a new attitude. We've been battling over abortion for a long period of time. Surely this nation can come together to promote the value of life." Gore has a different take. "On the issue of partial-birth or so-called late-term abortion," Gore has said, "I would sign a law banning that procedure, provided that doctors have the ability to save a women's life or to act if her health is severely at risk. [But] the main issue is whether or not the Roe v. Wade decision is going to be overturned. I support a woman's right to choose."
Affirmative
Action
In a recent debate,
Bush was asked whether or not he supports "the hiring and
contracting preferences based on race and sex that are inherent in
affirmative action programs?" Bush replied, "I support
what I call 'affirmative access' — not quotas, not double
standards, because those divide and balkanize, but access — a fair
shot for everyone. As president, I will strip bureaucratic
regulations, such as high permitting and licensing fees, which
disproportionately hurt minority-owned businesses. I will break up
federal procurement contracts to allow minority-owned businesses to
compete for or partner with more experienced firms as
subcontractors. And I will reward companies making aggressive
efforts to involve minority-owned businesses through subcontracting
and mentoring programs."
Bush was then asked if he supported affirmative action and replied, "I've had a record of bringing people from all walks of life into my administration, and my administration is better off for it. But quotas are bad for America. It's not what America is all about, which is equal opportunity and the opportunity for people to realize their potential. So to answer your question, I support affirmative access." Gore stated, "I don't know what affirmative access means. Affirmative action isn't quotas. I'm against quotas. They're against the American way. Affirmative action means that you take extra steps to acknowledge the history of discrimination and injustice and prejudice." Things heated up during another debate, when both candidates were asked if they were opposed to affirmative action. Bush replied, "No. If affirmative action means quotas, I'm against it. If affirmative action means what I just described, then I'm for it." Gore charged back with a question of his own. "He said if affirmative action means quotas, he's against it. Affirmative action doesn't mean quotas. Are you for it without quotas?" Bush replied, with a smile, "I may not be for your version."
Crime
During a recent rally,
Bush told the Fraternal Order of Police he would be the candidate of
"tough love." "The men and women in uniform
understand that if you break the law, there will be a consequence.
In order to have a safe country, we're going to stand by the men and
women who wear the uniform," Bush firmly stated.
Asked if he believes that capital punishment deters crime, Bush answered, "I do, that's the only reason to be for it. I don't think you should support the death penalty to seek revenge. I don't think that's right. I think the reason to support the death penalty is because it saves other people's lives." Gore’s view is similar, yet painted with a more Democratic stroke. "I think it is a deterrence. I know that's a controversial view, but I do believe it's a deterrence. I support the death penalty. I think that it has to be administered not only fairly, with attention to things like DNA evidence, which I think should be used in all capital cases, but also with very careful attention. If the wrong guy is put to death, then that's a double tragedy. Not only has an innocent person been executed but the real perpetrator of the crime has not been held accountable for it, and in some cases may be still at large. But I support the death penalty in the most heinous cases."
Gay Rights for
Marriage
This has been one of
the election’s foggier issues. When each candidate was asked how
he or she felt about gay rights for marriage, Bush stated, "I'm
not for gay marriage. I think marriage is a sacred institution
between a man and a woman. I appreciated the way the administration
signed the Defense of Marriage Act. I presume the vice president
supported it."
Gore snapped back (as usual), with a witty comment. "I agree with that, and I did support that law. But I think that we should find a way to allow some kind of civic unions. And I basically agree with Dick Cheney and Joe Lieberman, and I think the three of us have one view and the governor has another view."
Healthcare
Bush took pride in
slandering the Clinton Administration when he noted that there are
43 million uninsured Americans — about 4 million more than when
Clinton took office. Bush wants to reverse this trend by making
health insurance affordable for "hard-working, low-income"
families. His plan will provide these families with a $2,000
refundable health credit so that they can choose health plans and
physicians that fit their needs. He will also make it easier for
small businesses (which employ 60 percent of the uninsured) to
obtain lower cost insurance through associations. Bush will also
remove federal regulations that restrict a state’s flexibility in
designing and implementing programs for the uninsured. Bush wants to
put the consumer — not government — in charge of health care
decisions.
In sharp contrast, Gore would take Medicare off-budget and place it in a "Medicare lock box" so payroll taxes can be used only to strengthen Medicare and pay down the national debt — and not for tax cuts or government spending. Gore's "lock box" plan extends the life of the Medicare Trust Fund until at least 2030 by devoting the interest savings from debt reduction to Medicare solvency. Though it devotes a lot of energy to the elderly, the 2030 target will get most college students into their 50s.
The Military
As far as our defense
system goes, Gore wants to see $1.2 billion in new education money
for veterans. He also wants military leaders to enforce allowing
gays into the military, and not just agree with the "don’t
ask, don’t tell" policy. "I love this country with all
my heart, and I will make certain that our military continues to be
the best-trained, best-equipped, best-led fighting force in the
world," he said in a September speech to the National Guard
Association. Translation: Gore is more than willing to toss some
dollars into the post-Cold War defense effort.
Bush also believes in spending on soldiers before sending them to hot spots. He also agrees that gays in the military are okay, but he disagrees with Gore when he says that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" motto is not okay. But one look at Bush's official website says it all: "Governor Bush believes that a strong, capable and modern military is the foundation of the peace we enjoy today and hope to extend for future generations. The military of the present must be better supported and respected. It must also be challenged and transformed to become the military of the future." In other words, look for big military spending if Bush takes the big seat.
Supreme Court
Heaven only knows why
Gore has his daughter, Karenna, doing campaign work. But she has
emphasized one good point: Whoever is elected president Nov. 7 will
appoint three or four new U.S. Supreme Court justices during his
term. And, as everyone’s pointed out, just one more conservative
vote could change landmark decisions like Roe v. Wade. So this one's
a crap shoot: if you want a conservative court, vote Bush. If you
seek more liberal-leaning decisions, Gore's the man for you.
Tax Credits for
Tuition
Each candidate wants
more Americans to be able to attend college. Yet Gore's plan for
tuition would provide working families who are paying up to $10,000
in tuition and fees a 28-percent annual tax credit. And he’ll
extend this credit to cover graduate school. Gore's plan also would
create savings accounts, similar to 401(k)s, that would allow
employer contributions for workers to use for their children,
spouses and grandchildren's education.
Copyright 2000::Student.com |
