Voting Initiative and the Presidential Debate

Voting Initiative and the Presidential Debate

            The Presidential Debate on October 7, 2008 was hosted in the game room at UMass Boston by Mass PIRG. The intent was to get students registered to vote, informed about the candidates’ views on issues, and get the students to polls to vote on November 4, 2008.

            The students spoke their viewpoints about the candidates, what voting meant to them, and why it’s important to be registered for this election. Most of the students who came to the debate were already registered and knew who they wanted to vote for. A few others were there to listen, understand where the candidates were coming from, and make some decisions on how they wanted to vote.

Vincent Langut, Nursing sophomore said he is taking part in the democratic process as a citizen. He is a registered voter who supports Obama.

“The issues in the debate are important personally and are community related. I want to vote for the candidate who cares about income, so I am leaning toward the Democrat, reviving the middle class,” said Langut.

He likes that the six figure income holders will get taxed more. For those who make less, Obama will tax less.  He also notes this is a historic time for America.

“We will have an African American as president or a lady as a vice-president. This is a big change in the U.S. The world wants to see this happen,” said Langut.

Langut came to hear more about what Obama and McCain plan to do about the economy. Recently Chancellor Motley emailed out an alert letter letting the student body know that state budget cuts are going to affect our school. Many of the students are eager to hear how the economic crisis is going to affect their daily lives.

“I want to hear more about the economy. It has been shaky the last few weeks. I am keeping an eye on this. I will not be able to get a loan or job to afford to go to school,” said Langut.

Mass PIRG has invoked students to speak out about why it is so important that all students at UMass Boston get involved in the voting process. There is a consensus of empowerment and citizen obligation.

“Tell the youth to get involved. By voting, you are activating your own destiny and future in this country,” said Langut.

There is a residual feeling that the students need to vote or their complaints in how things are run don’t matter. They will have a right to complain if they cast their vote.

“People complain this president is an idiot, but they didn’t even vote. Voting is a weapon. That is what I would tell other students. They should vote and get involved in their political process,” said Langut.

Must dissatisfaction with the current administration has pushed students to go out and vote for a different, innovative leader. They are tired of the war and sad about the economy.

“I think this election is an important thing for students to get involved with. I got tired of sitting on the sidelines watching the Bush administration. I wanted to actually do something to make a difference,” said UMB English Junior Nathan Peavey.

Peavey is also rooting for Obama. The admiration for the candidate is contagious and much of UMass Boston is looking forward to trying to get him elected.

“I am pulling for Obama. Hopefully, he wins the debate. They are going to be heavily coached not to say anything dramatic. It will just be generalities,” said Peavey.

Peavey explains how student issues are ignored on the national level because traditionally students don’t vote. He feels we should change that.

“If students start voting, we will be a demographic worth campaigning for. We need to get heard. I would like to hear justification for the bailout bill and the economy,” said Peavey.

Mass PIRG and the election have incited students to get educated about current events, international and domestic issues. Students came to the debate to learn what the next president might do to help America.

Amanda Regan, a Psychology and Public Policy Junior came to the Mass PIRG hosted debate to learn more about the economy, the war, and the environment. She wants them to really talk about the issues at hand.

“I want to see the people actually answer the questions. I am not sure what the theme is today, but it will turn to that. I am excited for Obama, but I want to see follow-threw not just campaign promises. It is time we stand up and be counted,” said Regan.

 In a public forum before the debate, Mary Angelo began a discussion what might be talked about in the debate. Credit and borrowing is an important issue right now, they agreed.

State school budget is affected by cuts that are going to happen across the board. The letter from Chancellor Motley shows a trying future for the school’s financial strenuous musical chairs that hit close to home. It looks like a broad issue on the news, but it is unlikely the budget problem will disappear. Health care, $700 billion bailout, social security will be crisis, they said.

They talked about immigration. Does McCain really want to build a wall and will Obama deport workers? And what are they going to do about the environment? One student interjected; there are noticeable differences in Palin’s credibility. They agreed healthcare will become a bigger issue to them as they got older.

They discussed the Iraq and Afghanistan war. The Iraq war started in 2003. Should we still be there, they questioned. Should we have tried to finish Afghanistan first?

“We don’t know how to get out of the war. It may not be possible to get a stable Iraq now. Dictatorship controlled that. Will the government be able to keep it stable? There was no water and electricity, and no resources to protect themselves. Why should we be throwing good money at bad?” asked a student.

The Mass PIRG hosted presidential debate was a time for students to discuss what issues were important to them. It was an informative, educational experience. Mass PIRG provided pizza, chicken wings, and soda for all. Most of all they provided an atmosphere where students could express how they felt about the candidates and the election.