the
Volume 3, Issue 2 October 8, 2020
ROCKET PRESS Your School. Your Magazine.
Elec tion 20 20
ELECTION 2020
4-“Restore the soul of 12-five states could america” decide election 5-“Keep America great” 13-Bollier vs. Marshall: crucial 6-pandemic, economy kansas election key issues for election 14- Rocket Life 7-past allegations could haunt candidates 8-I get to vote! 9-debates become crucial element of election 10-voting turnout expected to be high for 2020 election 11-the highs and lows of president trump’s term in office CONTENTS--2
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YOUR SCHOOL. YOUR MAGAZINE.
8 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
STAFF
LYDIA KIMBLE
rocketpd17
ASSISTANT EDITOR
RocketPd17
reporters
Rocket Productions
SYDNEY LAKOUS
SAM LARSON BROOKLYNN WHITE JESSA LEE LINDSEY ESSLINGER KIRSTEN-ANN SMITH ALLISON CHAPPELL CLAIRE MORRIS ROXANNE SANDEFUR THOMAS SMITH
COVER DESIGN AND LAYOUT
LYDIA KIMBLE AND MR. BROWNING
The Rocket Press is the official news magazine of Rose Hill High School that is published six times a year. The Rocket Press is a student publication, written and produced by students. Opinions expressed in The Rocket Press are of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USD 394 Board of Education, the administration, the faculty or the adviser. CONTENTS--3
Restore the soul of america By Kirsten-Ann Smith and Brooklyn White, Reporters Throughout the 2020 election, Vice-President and Democratic candidate Joe Biden has presented his views on multiple subjects, such as healthcare, the economy, criminal justice, abortion, and many more. An article by The Washington Post created a list with specific questions about broad, generalized topics. The first is gun control. When asked if he supports a widespread, mandatory program for confiscating guns he answered no, but when asked if a federal assault weapons ban he answered yes. It is also said that he agrees with requiring background checks on every gun purchase made. Another one was related to LGBTQ+ rights. The Biden campaign says that he supports extending federal anti-discrimination protections to gay and transgender people, does not support ban on transgender people in the military, and does support same sex marriage.
some in regards to education. He does not support federal funding to send students to private schools nor does he support crossexamination of accusers of sexual assault at colleges and universities. Biden says he would not move the U.S. Embassy back to Jerusalem but that it should not have been moved in the first place. It is said that, if he becomes president, that he will not be withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Deal. Immigration is also a largely controversial topic. Biden says he would not build a border wall between the United States and Mexico. It is said that Biden will raise four-trillion dollars worth of taxes over a ten year period for the American people, mostly on the highest income households. It is said that he has a plan called the Green New Deal to help with climate change and environmental problems.
In regards to criminal justice, he says he does not support defunding the police and does not support federal legalization of recreational marijuana but he does support eliminating cash bail. He also does not support the death penalty or privatizing prisions.
With the infamous coronavirus at a head, some would say that this topic is one of the pivotal points in the discussion of the election. Biden states that he supports a nationwide mask mandate to fight the growing virus and to slow the pandemic. He also supports federal action to expand testing to catch cases quicker and earlier.
On the topic of abortion, it is said that he does support public funding for abortions and restrictions on late-term abortions. He says he does not support additional restrictions or nominating an anti-abortion justice to the Supreme Court. Another controversial topic includes education, ranging from prekindergarten to college. His campaign is running on universal pre-k and tuition free college for
He is also in favor of fast tracking the development of a safe and effective vaccine and says he would not withdraw from the world health organization. It is also said that he may or may not take on China because they should be “held accountable” for the coronavirus along with President Donald Trump because “he put his trust into China’s leaders” instead of the health experts and intelligence agencies that warned him.
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Keep America Great
By Allison Chappell and Thomas Smith, Reporters President Donald Trump is running again as the Republican candidate for the 2020 presidential election. This year he faces Joe Biden, the democrat nominee and former vice president of the United States. Unlike Biden, Trump is pro-life, or against legalizing abortion, following that he is also against the idea over taxpayer funding of abortion, a fund that allows abortion for any woman who does not want to have children stop from having children if they are pregnant. With that, Trump wishes to make sure that abortion is illegal within the U.S. This topic has been one of the biggest debates and discussions America has had and will continue to be in future topics and discussions.
Both nominees debate over the environment and with it, Trump is not open to funding the Green New Deal, a project that researches and builds new ways to create energy. He is known to be an environmental skeptic or someone who does not believe in global warming. Between the elections, Trump has elected new people for the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, both who do not entirely side with him or each other, but Trump continues to praise them and their work. Since the 2016 election, Trump was and is determined that the border wall is to be built. He wishes to continue this if he is president and allow the wall to be complete.
With Biden wanting to increase taxes for more government projects, Trump would like to decrease the taxes allowing Americans to have more money and pay less taxes. Trump would like to completely remove Obamacare and create a whole new healthcare plan that would be better and in many cases more affordable. With the U.S. Embassy moving to Jerusalem, Trump wishes to keep the Embassy there as well as withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal which allows Iran to freely use its oil in creating their own weapons. Within the debates and discussions Trump and Biden debate over School Choice. When paying taxes a portion of it goes to the school systems and if Trump wins this election he wants to allow parents to choose where that portion of tax dollars go within the school system.
ELECTION 2020--5
pandemic, economy key issues for election By Brooklynn White, Reporter The economic decline, health care, and Covid-19 are the three of the most prominent subjects in this year's election. Democratic candidate Joe Biden and President Donald Trump both have outlined plans to minimize cases and open up the country. President Trump has unveiled guidelines to open up the country again in three-phases: The first is shelter in place and when in public, which should be minimal, physical distancing should be maximized, minimal non-essential traveling, and social gatherings of more than ten people are not prohibited. Phase two is when all vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place, maximize social distancing, and non-essential travel can resume. Lastly, Phase three consists of social distancing, avoiding crowded places, and taking precautionary measures.
With the economy in decline, lots of Americans are wondering what’s next. According to an article from The New York Times, the GDP has dropped a total of nine and a half percent since February For context, during the great recession, the economy dropped a total of four percent in an eighteen month period. That is over double the percentage and half the time. Both parties have said the other will do nothing to help the economy recover from the recent hardships. Regarding health care, Biden is running on a platform that will improve and build off of Obama Care, while Trump says he will do away with it and create something new, affordable, and reliable. The Republican Party has previously tried to, according to Trump, improve Obama Care but it “Can’t be done,” because “the premiums are too high and it just won’t work.” In the meantime, Trump says he is using his executive authority to reduce barriers to more affordable options for Americans and U.S. businesses, according to whitehouse.gov. According to his campaign website, Biden’s plan for health care is to build on the Affordable Care Act by giving Americans more choice, reducing health care costs, and making their health care system less complex to navigate.
Former Vice President Biden has a plan to ‘Combat Coronavirus’, using a mixture of different precautions. He says restoring trust and credibility, mounting an effective national emergency response plan, and eliminating cost barriers for prevention of and care for Covid-19 is the start. Along with pursuing decisive economic measures and rallying the world to confront the crisis while laying the groundwork for the future.
ELECTION 2020--6
Photo from unsplash.com
past allegations could haunt candidates By Sydney LaKous, Assistant Editor The two candidates for the 2020 Presidential election, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, both had varying accusations brought upon them, including sexual harassment, tax fraud and others.
“Donald J. Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes the year he won the presidency. In his first year in the White House, he paid another $750,” said an article from the New York Times.
According to ABC News, “at least 18 women have accused Donald Trump of varying inappropriate behavior, including allegations of sexual harassment or sexual assault.”
Biden’s son, Hunter, had appeared to receive $3.5 million from the wife of the former mayor of Moscow, Russia. On Sept. 29, during the first presidential debate, Trump demanded an investigation on this issue.
Many of these victims came forward before or during Trump’s first bid for the White House. In the same article from ABC News, “Trump has vehemently denied all of the various women’s accusations multiple times. In some cases, he and his team members have specifically denied individual accusations,” Biden had similar accusations, which he also denied. “Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: It is untrue. This absolutely did not happen,” said Biden, referencing an accusation in an article from the Washington Post. Along with sexual assault and harassment, Trump had also been accused of tax fraud. According to The New York Times, “The Manhattan district attorney’s office, which has been locked in a year long legal battle with President Trump over obtaining his tax returns, suggested for the first time in a court filing on Monday that it had grounds to investigate him and his businesses for tax fraud.” Trump claims he paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the 15 previous years, because he had been losing more money than he had made.
According to The USA Today, “The report (Senate committee report), which also raises allegations about Hunter Biden's purported links to Ukraine and China, refers to the claims about Hunter Biden and Moscow at several points, with slight variations.” In the report, it stated that “Hunter Biden received a $3.5 million wire transfer from Elena Baturina, the wife of the former Mayor of Moscow.” The allegation report did not provide any other information, specifically on whether the transaction was legal or not. Trump had also been tried for impeachment. He was charged with abuse of power and obstruction of congress on Dec. 18, 2019. He is the third president to be charged with committing high crimes and misdemeanors and face removal by the senate. “Only two Democrats opposed the article on abuse of power, which accused Mr. Trump of corruptly using the levers of government to solicit election assistance from Ukraine in the form of investigations to discredit his Democratic political rivals. Republicans were united in opposition. It passed 230 to 197, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, gaveling the vote to a close from the House rostrum,” according to the New York Times.
ELECTION 2020--7
I get to vote! By Thomas Smith, Reporter
I turned 18 back in August and one thing I immediately thought was that I was eligible to vote.
We will be the next leaders in America and I believe we should lead with a firm grasp of what is good in America.
I am very excited about voting.
I was raised in a family who taught me to lead rather than follow. I feel as though this allowed me to branch out and become more independent.
It gives me the opportunity to have a voice without being ignored for being too young. I find voting to be one of the most important responsibilities we have in America and many take it for granted. In the 2016 election, studies show that only 58.1% of Americans voted, and the number is expected to decrease with the elections this year. Voters (including young voters like myself) don’t realize how important this year’s election is. It will determine how America will handle current issues like racism, abortion, and immigration laws. We the people must decide who will be the right person to lead our country. We should not vote for someone based on one thing we like about them or one thing we dislike about the other candidate or even based on a political party, we should vote for who would be best to lead our country. We need a strong leader who won’t be easily pushed around by other people. Our leader needs to be stubborn yet humble. To those who will be voting in 2024, take this to heart: learn from the mistakes we made in the past and find a way to fix it. Become a leader, not a follower. With all that is going on in our world today, it is more important than ever to vote. Inspire others to vote. Collect information about the candidates and the issues so you can make an informed decision.
ELECTION 2020--8
My family watches the debates so we understand who the people running are and what they stand for. I encourage everyone to try and listen to every debate live. Most news channels and articles are very biased, meaning they support either the democrats or republicans and don’t give a fair assessment. Make sure you get all the facts checked and make sure your sources are unbiased and accurate because people will lie for their own gain. It is important that we continue to remember our country's history, to understand what our previous leaders did. We need to make sure we understand the Constitution given to us by our forefathers. Our generation should want to be better than the last so that we can improve what we have here in America. Young voters like us can make that difference by voting in this upcoming election. We must think about who we can entrust to build up America to be better and stronger. It is up to us to make sure our future is safe, not only for us, but the children who follow. Our country is an inspiration to many people across the globe, we have the power to preserve that and continue to inspire everyone.
debates become crucial element of election
By Sam Larson, Reporter
Ever since 1956, it is tradition that both candidates have a debate for the presidential election. Some have become historic, such as the 1960 Election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, the 2016 Election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and most recently the 2020 election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. In the 2020 debates, it was widely reported as being not professional and mature. But are they usually like this, and what's the history of them? Debates first started in 1858 with Abraham Lincoln and Stephan Douglass. It had no moderator or panel. It started when President Lincoln followed Douglass on his campaign trail, where Douglass would give a speech then Lincoln would do the same. Douglass then agreed to go on stage with Lincoln for a few hours several times. But that was not the start of the debate fever, as 15 elections went by without another “debate�. In 1948, the presidential debate would return with a radio broadcast between primary republican contenders Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen. Between 40-80 million listeners tuned into the pair debate about outlawing communism in the United States. Even after that, the debate fever did not start. The first type of debate that was broadcasted on television was in 1952, and was hosted by the League of Women Voters. It featured all of the potential candidates, and it played an enormous role in shaping future debates in the United States.
The 1960 election was the first modern debate, with President John F. Kennedy going against Richard Nixon. It had two candidates standing across from each other (even though they could sit when they were not speaking) and had a moderator that would ask questions. It had a total of 66 million viewers out of a population of 179 million. Afterwards, the concept of a presidential debate took off, and Americans started expecting debates. For several decades, presidential debates became a traditional event in presidential elections. Nowadays, elections are heavily influenced by debates, as citizens can see how each candidate will tackle each issue in the current U.S.
Between 40-80 million listeners tuned into the pair debate about outlawing communism in the United States. Even after that, the debate fever did not start. ELECTION 2020--9
voting turnout expected to be high for 2020 election
By Roxanne Sandefur, Reporter
This year’s presidential election is predicted to bring the highest number of votes in over a century. With 11 days left until the election, 47.1 million people have voted early. In 2016, the total number of early votes was similar. Social media platforms, commercials, and celebrities have all taken a stand in encouraging citizens to vote. This and more voters being able to vote by mail than ever may have led to these high early voting numbers. In 2000, 54.2 percent of the voting age population voted in the presidential election. For the next election in 2004, the percentage went up to 60.1 and again rose to 61.65 percent in 2008. In 2012, the percentage of the voting age population that voted was 58.6 and 60.1 percent in the last election of 2016. It is predicted that over this year will be a record-breaking election as far as voting numbers go. A few months ago, it was questionable how the U.S could conduct this election during the pandemic, especially because many Americans doubt the accuracy of mailin ballots. In Texas, an absentee ballot is required to vote by mail but there has still been an extremely high voter turnout, even with people encouraged to stay home because of COVID-19. These high voting numbers were very unexpected. It is unsure if the early voters are people who would have voted on election day anyways, or if they are new voters. This will have a big impact on the total number of votes after the election. The expectation for this year’s general election is very high voting numbers.
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Voting polls on election day
In 2012, the percentage of the voting age population that voted was 58.6 and 60.1 percent in the last election of 2016. It is predicted that over this year will be a recordbreaking election as far as voting numbers go.
the highs and lows of president trump’s term in office
From the economic growth to the way he handled the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump’s tenure in office has been controversial, to say the least. By Jessa Lee, Reporter As President Donald Trump’s first term comes to an end, people will begin to look back at his accomplishments and shortcomings over the last four years. He has completed many of the goals he had envisioned during his time as president, and some he has yet to finish. In January following the election, Trump went through with one of his first presidential acts in disengaging the relationship with the United States and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Later that year, Trump said in an interview that, “Everybody is getting a tax cut, especially in the middle class.” This statement did not come to full completion as a lot of Americans did get tax cuts, but not everyone was included. In June of 2018, President Trump stopped the immigration from places with many terrorists. This includes countries like Iran, Libya, and Syria. In December that year, President Trump signed the First Step Act which was meant to repair the American prison system . This act provided several prudent changes and was considered a win for the legislative branch for those who had goals of repairing the system. During Trump’s third year in office, he al-
lowed for the U.S. to defeat the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Though there may still be ISIS members in Syria and Iraq, the death of their leader was a huge setback for those terrorists. Referring to the event that occurred, Trump said, “Last night, the United States brought the world’s number one terrorist leader to justice. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead.” Following this, the status of the country’s federal debt was measured in late 2019, and was observed to have gone up since 2017 rather than down. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2016, Trump said that we need to “get rid of” America’s $19 trillion in debt in an eight year span. Later, he changed his statement saying that he would cut down on a part of the debt instead of the whole. The federal debt has still been growing, and has not yet been reduced. The way President Trump has handled the COVID-19 pandemic has been highly scrutinized. He routinely downplayed the severity of the virus, as well as making proclamations about how soon the pandemic will end. Immigration and the subsequent ramifications from it has also been a criticism of President Trump, along with kids being separated from their parents and the reported living conditions of those being deported.
ELECTION 2020--11
five states could decide election By Claire Morris, Reporter In 2016, President Donald Trump won with a total of 304 electoral votes and Hillary Clinton finished with 270. President Trump’s victory was significantly influenced by the way he dominated the battleground states.
They can, however, request a Democratic or Republican ballot. Ohio is a true swing state, voting seven times for the Republican nominee, and five times for the Democratic nominee in the past twelve elections.
Many people wonder if the battleground states will be an important factor again this election. The battleground states are currently projected to be Florida, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina and Iowa, with Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota also looking to be potential close calls.
Florida has 35 percent Republican voters, 37 percent Democrat voters, and 27 percent minor party or no party. Florida voted Republican eight out of the last twelve presidential elections.
Here is a look at the recent political history of each battleground state: Nevada has a variety of people who vote. The state has 38 percent Democratic votes, 32 percent Republican votes, 24 percent non-partisan, and six percent Libertarian. In Nevada, Republicans have won seven out of the last twelve presidential elections, but Democrats have won three of the last five. In 2016, 37 percent of Minnesota voters were Democratic, and 35 percent were Republican voters. Minnesota has not voted for a Republican president since 1972. In Michigan forty five percent of voters are Democrats, while only thirty eight percent are Republicans. In 2016, Michigan voted for the Republican side of the presidential debate. In Pennsylvania, another battleground state, the Republican voters and Democratic voters are farther apart. Pennsylvania has a total of 38 percent Republican, 48 percent Democratic, and 14 percent minor party or no party. Since 1972, Pennsylvania has voted for the Democratic nominee seven times. Ohio does not register voters by party.
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Georgia and North Carolina typically lean Republican, but the past two elections have been very close. Ultimately, if either President Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden win the majority of the battleground states, it will go a long way in securing a victory in the 2020 election.
Nevada: 35% Democratic & 32% Republican Minnesota: 37% Democratic & 35% Republican Michigan: 45% Democratic & 38% Republican Pennsylvania: 48% Democratic & 38% Republican Florida: 37% Democratic & 35% Republican
Bollier vs. Marshall: crucial kansas election By Lindsey Esslinger, Reporter Roger Marshall (Republican) and Barbara Bollier (Democrat) are the two running mates for the Kansas State Senate. Bollier was a Republican when she served in the state house, but in December of 2018 she switched her affiliation to Democrat. Marshall was elected into the U.S. House in 2016. Bollier’s campaign ads quoted newspaper clips calling her a “sensible centrist” and a “leading moderate voice.” Roger Marshall was in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1984 to 1991. He practiced as an OB/GYN in Great Bend, Kansas and served as chairman of the board of Great Bend Regional Hospital. Even though Marshall is a gynecologist, he still is against abortion, while Bollier is pro choice, and because of this, Marshall has called Bollier an extremist, for example, endorsing late-term abortions. Marshall is trying to make all abortions illegal in the state of Kansas. With his views on Medicaid expansion, his views on masks, and his support on President Trump’s antiscientific pandemic pronouncements place him beyond the views of most Kansans. Most people voting for Bollier are doing so because they think she will stand up against President Trump. She has said that there needs to be change in the political office, and that she can provide that. If she gets voted into office, then she wants to focus on the tax cuts the former governor, Sam Brownback made which devastated the state’s budget. She has tried to make it clear to her voters that her views have not changed, only her party changed.
ELECTION 2020--13
Rocket the Boys soccer were crowned league champs, with a record of 13-1-1. the rockets did not allow a goal by league opponents.
the Cross Country teams competeted at regionals. the girls team earned a trip to the state meet. ELECTION 2020--14
Life The Rocket Band was awarded a $500 check from Charlie’s car wash.
The Flame Yearbook staff meets during the three remote learning days on October 26, 27 and 28
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