Tax cuts, other issues examined in student mock debate

BRANDON NIEMEYER
DM Staff Writer

Representatives of the College Democrats, Youth for Bush and the University Greens debated on tax cuts, the surplus, labor unions and the military at Tuesday's mock debates in the Grove.

"We do not need to give away tax cuts to those who do not need or deserve it, such as the rich," said Robert Foster, president of the College Democrats.

Victoria Danson, a representative of the Youth for Bush countered Foster's statement.

"Governor Bush is for tax cuts that will affect every American that files a tax return, not just the rich. He has proposed a seven step program to do so," Danson said.

When asked about what should be done to save Social Security, debaters offered numerous ways that their candidate supported.

"Gov. Bush wants bipartisan changes to secure Social Security for the future. This would include individually controlled accounts so individuals would have control over what was done with their hard-earned money," Danson said.

Both Foster and Keith Wright, representative of the University Greens, opposed such privatization of Social Security.

"Gore wants to help in stabilizing Social Security to ensure it for later. Privatization will not work. Gore is against raising the age to receive Social Security to 70, unlike Gov. Bush," Foster said.

Wright offered an even harsher prospective of the positions of both Bush and Gore.

"The problem is not with Social Security, it is secure until 2037," Wright said. "The idea that it will simply disappear is non-sense. It is insurance companies going to Capitol Hill and telling us that Social Security is in danger. They are spending millions of dollars of their profits to do so. We should keep Social Security away from privatization."

Another major debate sparked when Nic Lott, who hosted the debate, asked the subject of the military.

"Gov. Bush wants to increase the morale and not the ranks of the military," Danson said. "The military has been steadily dwindled in the past eight years. The average soldier's pay is around $13,000, which is wrong to pay someone who is serving his country to be paid so little. We need to restore and maintain our reputation, but not act as a police force."

Wright was quick to retort against Bush's plans to build up the military.

"We no longer need a large build-up of military might. We need to end this needless violence that is occurring. America has troops in countries in Europe and Eastern Asia that are perfectly capable of defending themselves," Wright said.

Foster was in agreement with Wright on not increasing military spending, but believed America should be involved in international affairs.

"We do not need to build more weapons of mass destruction, nor is America's armed forces weakened. The military spending has been cut because the Cold War is over. America is still the major force," Foster said.

Foster later asked the other candidates about their parties stances on health care.

"Health care in America is a disgrace. It is unacceptable that 46 million Americans are without health insurance when we have prosperity," Wright said.

Foster offered Gore's views of health care next.

"Gore is for a Patient's Bill of Rights to guarantee that people have good health care. Gore is also for eventually having universal health care that will allow every American the to have medical coverage. He is also for ending the price gouging that occurs in the prescription drug industry," Foster said.

Danson offered her candidates views on health care.

"Gov. Bush wants a refundable health credit of $2,000 per family and $1,000 per individual," Danson said.

The debate ended with Foster, Wright and Danson discussing campaign finance reform, which has been a topic of the presidential race since both Republican John McCain and Democrat Bill Bradley supported reforms in the system.

"Gov. Bush opposes publicly financed congressional races as it will give even more money to incumbent officials. Gov. Bush does not think a large-scale Federal campaign can be run without millions of dollars. Ralph Nader is running a very fair campaign because he is not getting the millions both Bush and Gore are," Danson said.

Wright gave the Green Party's stance on the issue.

"We need to end the legalized bribery that exists in the campaign process today," Wright said. "Special interests are giving millions to have their voices heard over the needs of the people."

Robert Foster attacked Bush for his use of both Political Action Committee (PAC) money and millions of dollars in so-called "soft-money" funds.

"Gore has not accepted PAC money at any time in this election," Foster said. "Gov. Bush refused to stop accepting soft-money funds even after Gore agreed to."

Audience members had a wide-range of reactions to the first of three campus debates.

"I think the whole thing is ridiculous," said Cody Caldwell, a junior pre-law major from Senatobia, a Nader supporter. "How does a mock debate help the actual candidates? I could see if we had them come to campus or something, but not this."

Olivia Douglas, a freshman political science major from Madison and a Gore supporter, said she enjoyed the mock debates.

"I think the stance of the Democratic Party was well presented. The Democratic Party has historically been the party of change and this election year is no different," Douglas said.

Vanessa Bliss, a graduate student of Southern Studies and a Nader supporter enjoyed the debates.

"I thought the debates were really good, but it's very unfortunate that people are worried more about a homecoming election then the presidential elections," Bliss said.

Victoria Danson, a sophomore political science and history major who was involved in the debates enjoyed the opportunity to debate with the College Democrats and University Greens.

"I enjoyed the debates. Both Keith Wright and Robert Foster discussed their candidate's views very well," Danson said. "I did hope we would have a larger crowd though."

Around 45 students attended the debates which were organized to let students become familiarized with each party's candidates specific stance on issues.