Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / Oct. 22, 2004, edition 1 / Page 3
Part of Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
TTiePifet Friday, October 22, 2004 Page 3 Election 2004 The hot topics in this year’s election Abbie Crago Pilot staff With the third and final debate over, the margin between President George Bush and Senator John Kerry has narrowed. As if the smearing TV ads aren’t enough, the poUtical chicanery of both parties often leaves voters wondering who to believe. Although the art of politics lends itself to riding the fence until the election, voters are often left without real answers on the issues that matter to them. After hearing accusations of job outsourcing and inconsis tent voting records, it’s time for the facts. However ambiguous they might be, both Bush and Kerry have outlined their plans for America’s future on their campaign Web sites. The Web sites also give insight into the personal lives and beliefs of each man. Issue Security Abortion Education Economy Environment Women Judicial Appointments Marriage ' deploy all the forces in Amen(fa’s arsenal ir^/j ' supports a womaii’s right ta pilvacy and to choose ' fully refundable College Opportunity Tax credit ■ offer aid to states to keep taxes down ■ cut taxes for businesses • cut the deficit in half in four years • reduce mercury emissions ■ supports Title IV • believes in equal pay in workplace • judges with a record of enforcing civil rights and a respect for a full range of constitutional rights Bush / / > / / ’ restructure existing forces • defend the j^i^-birthHBfflMtf 'B'kiT'' ''' I • prevent fedeialJundinEl for abortion 1 • supports parental notiEcation of pregnancy of minors ' • increase student financial aid to help more students afford college • enhanced pell grants • reform student loans • $500 miOion for jobs • dedicated $40 billion over a decade > believes in creating strong, faith-based home systems > appoint judges who strictly interpret the law • fix broken nomination process • pursue federal marriage amendment > protect the Defense of Marriage Act We want to know: “Who you are voting for and why are you voting?” I am undecided because I don’t feel like i know enough to make an educated decision but I plan to leam more. — Kyle Loughran, junior I’m voting for Kerry because as a graduating biology student, I’m search ing for a job and (because of) environmental protec tion. So, I’d have to say my main concerns are our economy and the environ ment in this election to oust W. — Dave Merryman, senior I’m voting for Bush because I believe in what he stands for. — Courtney Cline, junior Topic: Who will make the better president? During the debates, Bush announced a plan to create 1.9 million new Jobs. By what? Having Americans build war supplies. Oh, I forgot. Vice President Dick Cheney already benefits from that. Jennifer Menster Pilot editor-in-chief Let’s face it. Ralph Nader is not going to win the 2004 pres idential election. So that leaves America .with two choices: current President George W. Bush or Senator John Kerry. According to the latest CNN poll. Bush has 52 percent of the vote, Kerry 44 percent. Come on America. Are we really going to re-elect Bush? Let’s look at his track record. This budget year marked the highest national deficit ever and the biggest shortfall since World War II, according to a CNN story. The depart ment of treasury announced in late September that the $413 billion federal deficit sets a record. When Bush came to office in 2001, he announced his plan to create a $5.6 trillion 10-year surplus. Many say that his “plan” itself has turned into deficits estimated at $2.3 tril lion. Yeah, that really helps us, Mr. President. And what about this econo my? How is he going to fix it? During the debates. Bush announced a plan to create 1.9 million new jobs. By what? Having Americans build war supplies. Oh, I forgot. Vice President Dick Cheney already benefits from that. With Bush, its about the rich getting richer. What about the middle class and the poor people? John Kerry wants to raise taxes on the upper class. What’s wrong with that? They make thousands and thousands more dollars than your average working Jane. They should have to pay more. Bush said that his 2001 and 2003 tax cuts have “kept our economy going,” (quoted from CNN.com). Well, that’s fimny considering our deficit, increasing inflation rates and a high 5.4 unemployment rate, with nearly 8 million people without a job in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. During the second debate. Kerry said that he plans to give tax benefits to companies that keep work in America rather than take advantage of Bush’s loopholes for companies that move work across seas. The biggest issues are the war on terrorism and Iraq. Bush himself said during the debates that America would never be safe from ter rorists. Then why are we killing our soldiers fighting a winless war? We all know he went into Iraq to finish his daddy’s work and oust Saddam. Kerry has several plans to help combat terrorism without killing thousands of American troops and volunteers. Kerry wants to destroy terrorist net works, cut off terrorist financ ing and restore alliances to combat terrorist networks across the globe. It’s time to put someone in office who is not living in his daddy’s shadow and who can make America a better place to live. Here is my prediction of what will happen if John Kerry gets elected. America will turn into the international country of pancakes... [and] lessen his environmental stance just to get enough syrup. With election day fast approaching, I decided to share my thoughts about the race for the White House in 2004. After weighing the two debates and trying to figure out the politicians’ stand on particular issues, voters will have to make a choice of who will be the next leader of the free world. Here is my prediction of what will happen if John Kerry gets elected. America will tum into the intemational country of pancakes, because there will be so many waffles that Kerry will have to lessen his environmental stance just to get enough syrup from trees to put on them. If Bush wins, we will have four more years of hilarious and completely nonsense sayings such as, “strategery” and “intemets.” But I can live with that. I’d rather have a president who says something definitive in a slow southern drawl, than one who says nothing at all. When Kerry finally does say something it is usually about the economy. One of his favorite sayings is, “This is the first administration that lost jobs since Herbert Hoover.” However, many econ omist will tell you that the current eco nomic situation in America is due to the previous president’s term in office — Williarn Jefferson Clinton, Four years ago, during the last elec tion, I was a junior in high school. As a class project for my U.S. History class, I was required to color in the different states in an electoral map. I fell asleep about 1 a.m., and Florida was still changing colors. Shortly after the last election, officials from Florida took a replica of the ballot to an elementary school and asked fifth graders if they could understand the ballot and punch out a certain chad, which they did 95 percent of the time. Since I am a competitive person by nature, I treat the election like a sporting event. So on Nov. 2,1 will sit in front of the TV with my Pepsi and cheese doo dles and cheer like a maniac whenever a state tums red and sink into a deep depression when it is blue. But no mat ter who wins the election, I will still voice my opinion in this column and around campus to help move America in the “right” direction. ISePl&r Gardner-Webb University Box:5564 Phone: 3533 www.gwupiIot.com E-mail: gwupilot@yahoo.com editor-in-chief Jennifer Menster SDi S^t ean Hubbard photo editor Kaylin Bowers copy editors Katie Main Amanda Wood production manager l/l/ies Rice wed editor Sarah James contributors Jared Smith Jeff Davis m£L Abbie Crago Jacob Conley Sheyahshe Littledave Anna Sieges Vic Sloan Robin Taylor advisor Denise A. McGill The Pilot is the official Gardner- Webb University student newspa per. It is produced by students under the supervision of the Department of Communication Studies. Gardner-Webb fosters an atmos phere in which student journalists may report on matters of common interest and write critically about University issues, policies and pro grams without fear of reprisai. At the same time The Pilot adheres to high standards of integrity and jour nalistic responsibility.
Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 22, 2004, edition 1
3
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75