election issue the
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[emily fiore]
courtesy 95.7 The Vibe
election
your student
results »
»
95.7 the Vibe DJs Cameron and BJ hosted East’s election at lunch on Thursday October 9th.
[emily fiore]
“I would vote for McCain because his trying to lower taxes will help everyone, especially workers. If he’s too old- obama is too young.”
Junior
“I would vote for Obama because he is the lesser of two evils. His tax policy where he would distribute wealth by raising taxes for the wealthy and lowering them for the poor is my deciding point”
Jason Abbot
Veronica Kamau
the hawk’s eye election issue ‘08
*election results based upon a sample of 300 Olathe East students.
Senior
Olivia Guayasamin
“I would vote for Obama because we shouldn’t be dependent on foreign countries for oil”
Senior
OBAMA
student opinions
a sample of east students were asked the all important question: who would you vote for and why?
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McCAIN
»
The polical media is spiraling out of control. No doubt about it, this election has taken...
a
turn
for the
tabloids [emily fogle]
»
student opinions continued
Many people believe that this is the most important election ever. Some voters easily decided which candidate would receive their votes. For others, the choice was much harder. On November 4, your votes will decide who is the next American President. The previous sentence sounds like it should be spoken by Ryan Seacrest; that’s because, give or take a few words, he says it towards the end of each season of American Idol. Of course, the presidential candidates have yet to sing for votes. However, this election has taken a turn for the tabloids, thanks to the media coverage. The media brings forth a whole new world in politics. Politicians appear on late-night talk shows and Saturday Night Live. Gossip magazines find long-forgotten feuds and scandals, or, in some cases, create them. This is a world usually reserved for celebrities, not politicians. Arguably, since politicians inhabit the world of the rich and the famous, they could be considered celebrities. This idea has not been ignored by the candidates themselves, as one of John McCain’s campaign ads compares Barack Obama to celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. This led Paris to create a parody ad in which she gives her ideas on a few of the important issues. During this election, parodies have been an extremely popular form of entertainment. On Saturday Night Live, Tina Fey’s usually impeccable impersonations of Sarah Palin poke good-natured fun at the Republican Vice Presidential nominee. And when Palin made a guest appearance on the show, ratings were reportedly higher than ever. Beyond the parodies and satires, the election has reached Youtube and the music industry. Videos like Obama Girl and the Raining McCain trio and, more recently, a masterfully edited clip of the Republican National Convention where McCain gets “rickrolled” have spread over the site. Politically themed songs have always been popular, but artists like Will.i.am have crafted songs in support of a particular candidate (in Will.i.am’s case, Obama) in the hopes that they will convince fans to vote. Celebrities make their political preferences known for that very reason. In order to collect votes, Scarlett Johansson, Oprah, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Hayden Panettiere have shown their support for Obama, while Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, and Heidi Montag have endorsed McCain. Before he dropped out of the race, Mike Huckabee had the support of Chuck Norris. Even though one should not vote for a candidate because one’s favorite celebrity plans to vote for him too, the media has invaded this election and will affect voters across the country.
“I would vote for McCain because he has served our country as a soldier and he has a lot of experience in the senate”
Senior
Sif Matthews
Ryan Samuelson
Junior
“I would vote for Obama because I don’t like conservative policy in general. It is based on a religion that not every one in this country shares”
McCain
John
»
Republican Nominee for President
[eric yarns]
economy immigration John McCain supports a growth tax system to stimulate small business growth and development. McCain also supports a series of corporate tax breaks to boost economic growth; a view established on the premise that America has become an unattractive place for corporations due to having the second highest corporate tax rate in the world market.
Supporting a strong two-step plan for strengthening American national borders and thenimplementing comprehensive immigration initiatives to punish corporations that employ illegal employees, establish temporary employment visas, John McCain plans for sweeping immigration reform because he realizes the threat of illegal immigratio with McCain being a senior senator from Arizona.
health care
For More Information Visit www.johnmccain.com Photo Courtesty of Minnpost.com
174 McCain supports the exploration of alternative energy sources includeing solar, wind, and other biofuels. McCain plans to dissolve foreign dependence on fossil fuels and supports domestic energy production. Efficiency and cleaner emissions are important to McCain’s energy priorities.
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energy the hawk’s eye election issue ‘08
Pledged Electoral Votes as of October 27. 2008 Courtesy of CNN Politics
McCain has plans for a more flexible health care program for all Americans, which would allow more freedom with the public health care system. McCain also supports the employer-based health care system, as well as strenghtening tax credits for health care. Initially supporting the war in Iraq after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, John McCain also supported the troop surge in 2007. McCain believes that America needs to win the war and create a stable government. McCain hopes to revive Iraq’s economy, as well as putting international pressure of Iran and Syria.
iraq
McCain supports raising the public school standards from the levels set by the Bush administration with the adoption of the No Child Left Behind Act. McCain plans to solve the cultural and economic problems facing schools and their students. McCain believes that parents should have the freedom to choose the schools that their children attend.
education
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Reasons Why
Johnbe McCain
Should
1
McCain has military experience. John McCain was rasied in a military family with both his father and grandfather being admirals in the United States Navy. John McCain graduated from The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and served as a naval aviator on active duty during the Vietnam War. In 1967 McCain was shot down over North Vietnam during a bombing mission. After being tortured and beaten for over five years in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” McCain returned to the United States with honor and was awarded with a silver star, Bronze Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. McCain’s military experience during the Vietnam War will prove important when fighting a war under many of the same conditions and circumstances. McCain actually has “experience” in government. Many advocates of Barack Obama have revered his experience as a community organizer in urban Chicago. Although this experience is beneficial, it is not the kind that is important when controlling
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“
President
the operations of an entire nation. Given, Barack Obama is a junior senator from Illinois, but that meager experience is not enough to merit the position of President. John McCain has always been a strong voice in the world of American politics and has repeatedly reached across the aisle to accomplish bipartisan legislation. McCain is a moderate, whereas Obama is a far-left liberal. In this time of adversity it is important for the President to be able to reach across party lines to accomplish the common good. Being able to be flexible is important in the time ahead of the nation and must have the consent of both parties in order to provide the best possible solutions. Especially with the economic crisis, bipartisanship is tremendously important in order to actually get things done in Washington instead of getting caught up in bureaucratic red-tape.
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McCain is the “Presidential type.” Many Obama supports would consider this the race card, although it could not be any more important. Looking presidential and filling the bill is just as important as policy. Foreign nations that do not have the advancements in black rights, may not respect the authority of Obama as President, and perhaps will inherently affect his foreign policy. John McCain has had strong foreign ties for the last two decades.
Bipartisanship is important in order to actually get things done in Washington.
” election issue ‘08 the hawk’s eye
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Obama
Barack »
Democratic Nominee for President
economy
Barack Obama’s plan to heal the severely ill economy begins with ending tax cuts for the wealthy. He also sees the end of the Iraq war as a way to help balance the economy, ending the current monthly bill of $10 billion. Obama blames deregulation for the financial crisis and advocates a series of reforms that seek to closely monitor the financial sector. To increase jobs, Obama plans to invest $25 billion in infrastructure.
For More Information Visit www.barackobama.com
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energy
Obama supports an investment of $15 billion per year over the next ten years towards clean, alternative energy practices and businesses. Senator Obama is against drilling in Alaska’s Arctic Wildlife Refuge, and believes oil companies should exploit existing leases before new areas are drilled. He also supports a $1,000 energy rebate for every working family in America, paid for partly by the current record profits of oil companies.
health care
Senator Obama strives for universal health care by creating a new federal health plan for the uninsured. He has stated that he believes health care should be mandatory for children. Senator Obama would also prohibit insurance companies from refusing coverage based upon health or age.
iraq
Opposing the Iraq war since its conception and before the invasion, Obama called it a “dumb war” in 2002. He also voted for a war-spending bill to withdraw troops. Obama once called for withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006. His plan is to remove troops over a period of sixteen months (Summer 2010), deploying two brigades per month.
education
Barack Obama believes that the U.S. should be the leader towards a global effort to reduce the effects of climate change before it is too late. He plans to enact a capand-trade system that would set a limit on carbon dioxide emissions to the levels set by top scientists.
Pledged Electoral Votes as of October 28. 2008 Courtesy of CNN Politics
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the hawk’s eye • election issue ‘08
[john wood]
enviroment
Senator Obama supports an annual $4,000 tuition credit that would pay for two thirds of an average public college, making community college virtually free for everyone. He also calls for scholarships towards teacher education to promote more high-quality teachers in America. Obama also supports investing $10 billion per year in early childhood development.
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Reasons
Why Barack Obama
Should be
1
He gets it. He gets that our nation is in crisis. He gets that man-made climate change is harming our planet at a catastrophic rate. He gets that the disparity between the rich and the poor is alarming—that the upper one percent of Americans make more money that the bottom fifty. He gets that No Child Left Behind has serious flaws, and that our nation’s education is in serious need of an overhaul. He gets that far too many Americans do not have health care. He gets that over 4,000 US soldiers have been killed since the invasion of Iraq, not to mention over 96,000 civilian casualties. He gets that this war also comes with a $10 billion monthly bill, which is a little out of our price range, to say the least. He gets that America has lost its way. Sarah Palin. Let’s face it. She didn’t get put on the ticket because of her experience. She couldn’t! Her resume is thinner than the frames of her ubiquitous glasses. She was chosen for two reasons and two reasons only: To drum up excitement from the evangelical, family-values Republican base and because she is a woman.
President
In no time at all, the McCain campaign turned her into the sexy, tough-talkin’ hockey mom we all know so well. If you haven’t noticed, she’s seriously pretty. She’s poised, speaks well, and the strategic camera shots of her long legs and curve-revealing skirt don’t hurt either. Conservatives fell in love with Sarah Palin in the same way Obamania took over the liberal base. I think Mitchell J. Near of The Lawrencian put it best when he said, “It’s like a grown up cult of Hannah Montana fans run amok and of legal age to vote.” John McCain is not a maverick. I repeat. John McCain is not a maverick. Don’t let them fool you. John McCain has given up more than his free time in this election—he’s given up his values. McCain was one of only two Republicans that opposed the Bush tax cuts. He was locked in his position against drilling in the Alaska Wildlife Refugee. He was part of the “Gang of 14,” which blocked many of Bush’s worst judges from the federal bench. Sounds like a maverick to me. But on all three, McCain has flip-flopped. Every single one. His campaign has taken an ugly turn for the worse and, in the process,
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2 America “ way.
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has only hurt itself. He can walk his talk. Back in March, when Obama was under attack for the remarks of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, he made a speech about the role of race in today’s society. In it, he explained that, “to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns . . . widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding.” He opened up a discussion with the American people about race; which has, more than anything else, separated him from his opponent. It was at this moment when I realized that this man had to be president. He represents his campaign’s promises of ‘hope’ for a better, brighter America. Barack Obama truly is the ‘change’ we can all believe in.
He gets that has
lost its
election issue ‘08• the hawk’s eye
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Electoral 4 College D Guest Writer: Mr. Tom Kearney
So you looked at the latest CNN poll and it shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by about eight or nine percentage points among “likely voters.” Well, before you tell Michelle Obama to start measuring the White House for new curtains, you need to understand one important fact. Those numbers mean very little. You see, the United States conducts its presidential election under something called the Electoral college. While that latest poll does indicate something (just ask Al Gore how important it is to have more people vote for you), the presidential election actually is 51 separate elections in all of the states and the District of Columbia (thank you, Twentythird Amendment). It goes like this. Voters (like you) go to the polls (assuming you are registered) and vote for the candidate they think should be President. If you look closely at the ballot, however, you will see that you are voting for the “electors” for your candidate. Each state has a number of electors based on their delegation in Congress (Kansas has two senators and four representatives, thus giving the Sunflower Sate a total of six.) The candidate from that state who
gets more popular votes is awarded all of the states, electoral votes (unless you vote in Maine or Nebraska which awards electoral votes by districts.). After the electors have been elected, they meet in their state capitals on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast the votes that really count- the electoral votes. By doing some higher math, we see that there are a total of 548 electoral votes (435+ 100=3=538). According to the Constitution, a candidate must win a majority of the electoral votes (270) to win the election. If no candidate wins that number, the election goes to the House of Representatives (and you will need Extra Strength Tylenol to handle that process). Why do we use such a system? Well, at the Constitutional Convention, there was a concern that the average person (Joe the Plumber?) was note intelligent enough to make an important decision like this. The thought it should be left to the most intelligent people. So they devised this system whereby the average person selects the most intelligent persons in their state to make that decision for them. Is this system perfect? That’s up for
debate. Your American Government teacher will tell you about the problem of the electoral vote-popular vote discrepancy due to the “winner-take-all” system of awarding electoral votes, the problem of the “faithless elector” who does not vote for the candidate favored by the voters of his state, and problem of election by the House of Representatives. However, neither party is considered it necessary to reform the Electoral college (except for the Twelfth Amendment in 1804). Both parties stand to gain form a system that rewards the Democrats, with strength in urban areas, and Republicans, with strength in the Midwest and South. This system probably will be in place when you become a government teacher in 2013!
u m m i e s
SWING STATES Nevada Colorado Michigan Missouri Wisconsin Florida Minnesota Iowa North Carolina Vermont Ohio Indiana
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the hawk’s eye election issue ‘08