4 OPINION
OCTOBER 14, 2020
THE BULL'S EYE
- OPINION-
The Bull’s Eye editorial staff endorses Joe Biden for President due to his progressive policies in matters that impact the wellbeing of our peers both as students and citizens of the United States.
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hough many 18-year-olds feel unprepared to vote, the presidential ballot this year presents an unprecedented threat to our nation’s democracy and the students of Diamond Bar High School. For those reasons, the editorial board of The Bull’s Eye is endorsing Joe Biden for presidency, and urges every eligible student to exercise their right to vote. Though Biden wasn’t the first choice for some Democrats who favored other candidates’ more aggressively progressive policies, he’s the only viable alternative to another four years of Donald Trump’s presidency. The incumbent president has repeatedly expressed a willingness to ignore or dispute the results of this election, which is much likelier if the results are a close call. If Trump manages to sway opinion in his favor this election, who’s to say he won’t in the future? Alarmingly, the president has already stated a desire to hold office for more than the constitutional limit of two terms. That’s why, although polls show that Trump trails Biden, we implore every eligible voter to make their voice heard and ensure Biden’s overwhelming victory—for the sake of our democracy.
While televised debates and online advertisements share candidates’ views on issues of national importance, few touch upon what’s relevant to students, leading many to think that politics won’t affect them. However, a closer look at both candidate’s beliefs reveal that the outcome of this election could potentially have a profound impact on life for every student on campus. Of primary importance to most high schoolers at the moment is college. The student debt crisis looms before many students of DBHS as an inevitable consequence of pursuing a higher education, and under Donald Trump it will certainly stay as such. The president doesn’t support student loan forgiveness, and has done little to mitigate the crisis. Democratic candidate Joe Biden, on the other hand, supports making the first two years of community college free. And for any who foresee taking on student loan debt, Biden plans to cap monthly repayments at a percentage of one’s income so that they won’t have to pay close to, or more than, they make. Beyond concerns for the future, students have a more immediate impact of the election to worry about. Donald Trump in favor of diverting funding
from public schools to charter and private schools. In doing so, he has tried to cut billions from the Department of Education’s budget. They administer federal funding to public school districts like ours. Though Biden isn’t a proponent of funding increases for every school, his presidency would prevent Trump’s future budget cuts. The final stance we urge students to consider, and the most important for some at our school, is Biden’s view of immigration. Whereas the Trump administration attempted to strike down Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which protects immigrant youth from deportation, Biden supports granting citizenship to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Typically, discussion of DACA and undocumented immigrants revolves around Latino communities, but the reality is that this legislation supports people of all backgrounds across the nation—some even here in Diamond Bar. Whether you care about politics or not, there’s no denying that this election will impact life at DBHS. We believe that it’s in students’ best interest that Joe Biden win this election, so make your voice heard this November. Vote.
FROM THE BRAHMA PERSPECTIVE
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I really wanted to see Bernie Sanders win because he actually cares about balancing the scales, regardless of class, race and gender.
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CRYSTAL TSAO (12)
I don’t like how the president is pushing a justice through but at the same time he has the power and we can’t question it.
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EDWARD DELANO (10)
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Most people my age are on the cusp of entering college soon and any changes made in the next year will have lasting effects on our future. EILEEN ZU (11)
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Debate reveals candidate unfit for office RACHEL LEE ASST. OPINION editor
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f his handling of the pandemic and his response to the protests following the unjust death of George Floyd weren’t enough to demonstrate to the American public that he isn’t fit to lead the country, then President Trump’s conduct during the first presidential debate of the 2020 election certainly should be. On Sept. 29, Trump and former Vice President Biden faced off against each other in what was more of a debacle than a debate. The President of the United
States actually refused to denounce white supremacists and despite this, not only continues to hold office, but stands a fighting chance at reelection. Should he continue to remain in office, there is no doubt that this nation will regress to a state of immense racial division. Aside from his address to white supremacist group ‘The Proud Boys’ to “stand back and stand by,” there were other moments of the debate that made it clear that Trump is unfit to remain in office. His main strategy throughout the debate seemed to be to minimize Biden’s speaking time as much as possible, probably to prevent potential voters from learning Biden’s actual policy positions. He interrupted Biden more than 100 times in the span of just 90 minutes, while also talking over the moderator and ignoring his pleas to wait his turn to speak. Such an
attitude would be unthinkable at an international conference. Additionally, Trump dodged many of the most contentious questions of the debate. He would not address leaked reports that he only paid $750 in taxes in 2017, only claiming he paid millions of
“President Trump has no regard for the wellbeing of his constituents nor respect for his fellow politicians.” dollars in income taxes, which has yet to be proven. When the issue of systemic racism came up, he refused to acknowledge that it was an issue--or that it even exists. Systemic racism in our society has become more evident in recent
months, with media coverage of protests and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement calling constant attention to its existence. If not socially clear, the racial disparity in this nation can also be proved statistically. A report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development presented to Congress estimated that Black Americans make up almost half of the homeless population despite comprising a mere 13 percent of the national population. President Trump also urged his supporters to “go to the polls and watch very, very carefully,” which is illegal unless you’re an approved poll watcher, and denied the moderator’s question of whether he would tell his supporters to remain calm while the results of the election were being counted. By not discouraging civil unrest during the wait for votes to be
Conditional commitment Lyndon Kaneko Staff Writer
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’ve been craving face-to-face interaction and I think it’s about time I go out and get it. Sure, COVID-19 continues to infect people in California, but is that really my problem? If everyone had stayed indoors like I have for the past couple of months, then the spread would have been reduced significantly. It’s their problem now, not mine. I’ve stayed inside long enough, and those who have done their duty for the past months should be free to reward themselves and go out with friends and family. Despite CDC guidelines suggesting that I stay six-feet apart from others, it’s been so long since I’ve seen my friends! How could I not give them a hug?
Every time I’ve had to leave my house, I wore my mask religiously. But I don’t like how hard it is to breathe through a mask, and no matter how well I brush, I can still smell my breath. So next time I go out, I won’t wear my mask; I’ve worn mine long enough, it’s time for others to wear theirs. If everyone else is wearing theirs, then what’s the big deal if I don’t? Guidelines also suggest that we wash our hands thoroughly for at least twenty seconds, but I think that’s a waste of time. I usually just run my hands under the water for a couple seconds, and I haven’t gotten COVID yet. Some people might say that’s gross, but soap doesn’t do that much anyways–water’s all you need to get rid of the germs. My cousin told me about a college party that he went to last week, and I heard it was pretty crazy. He definitely deserves that type of fun; he’s been cooped up for so long that I’m confident he’s made a big enough impact on stopping the spread of COVID as it is. He isn’t even at high risk since he’s young, if he catches it now, it’s not like it’s
going to affect him in the long run. His friend caught COVID and can’t even play ping pong without getting winded, but my cousin doesn’t plan on doing anything strenuous so who even cares. Those who have been staying home for months should just take this time to let loose. I mean, we’ve self-quarantined for such a long
tallied and casting doubt on the election’s integrity, Trump is encouraging the very rioting he condemned in an earlier segment of the debate. Not only is this contradictory, but also extremely irresponsible as he endangers the health and safety of the general public, especially considering the ongoing pandemic. Following the results of the first presidential debate, it should be clear that President Trump has no regard for the wellbeing of his constituents nor respect for his fellow politicians. He will do whatever it takes to push his agenda, whether that be disregarding many of the most pressing issues in the nation or encouraging violence. A second debate will not be held because Trump has contracted the coronavirus and a third debate has yet to be scheduled.
SATIRICAL selfishly
time and look at where that got us: more COVID cases. I told my family my thoughts on the current situation, and they suggested that I find somewhere else to stay if I’m thinking about meeting with friends then coming back. I’m not sure what they’re being so uptight about! I mean, even if I do get COVID, the vaccine will probably
be out by then, at least that’s what my man Trump says. Just pop it in and we’re good to go, what’s the big fuss? After seven months of COVID enforced quarantine, I’ve done my duty and it’s about time I start to frequent my favorite restaurants, meet up with my friends and enjoy my life.
Cartoon Courtesy of JAMES WU