While Republicans continue to squabble over whether they want their old, white, male nominee to be bald or not, Democrats have an exciting and diverse field of candidates to choose from. The Democratic primary is making history, with the top two candidates representing historically underrepresented groups, women and African-Americans. And with plans to combat global warming, provide universal healthcare and implement landmark ethics reform, Democrats are ready to take action on January 20th, 2009.
After seven years of inaction on many issues, and regression on even more, Americans are thirsty for substantive change. A USA Today/Gallup poll released on January 16th asked if Americans would like to see the next president continue George Bush’s policies , and the results were clear: an overwhelming 79% responded they wanted a change in direction, compared to only 17% who wanted to continue President Bush’s policies.
Rather than resting on the unpopularity of the current president, Democratic candidates are setting out bold agendas on issues that matter to students: student aid, the war in Iraq and the environment. As any Hoya who’s recently taken a quick look at their tuition bill knows, the price of a good education is well beyond the reach of most Americans. On student aid, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) has proposed replacing the Hope Scholarship, a tax credit that maxes out at $1,650, with a refundable $3,500 tax credit. Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has a similar proposal, and would establish a $4,000 fully refundable “American Opportunity Tax Credit” for Americans enrolled in college. Both candidates would increase funding for Pell Grants in order to ensure that the grants keep pace with inflation.
By contrast, in the Republican race student aid is a non-issue mentioned only in the context of whether or not illegal immigrants should be eligible for existing aid programs. FinAid.org, a website designed to help students navigate various student aid programs, monitors promises made by candidates regarding student aid. The non-partisan organization reports that all of the top five Republican candidates have made “no statements concerning post-secondary education and student financial aid.”
Democrats are also eager to chart a new course for American involvement in Iraq. While Republican candidates are tripping over themselves to congratulate each other on the success of the recent “surge” in Iraq, Democrats recognize that political reconciliation and progress, not just a decrease in violence, are required in order for Iraq to become a self-reliant nation. With the exception of fringe candidate Ron Paul (R-Tex.), no Republican candidate has presented a plan for Iraq that is any different from the President’s current strategy; all of them supported the initial invasion of Iraq, supported the troop surge, are against a clear timetable for withdrawal and have no plan for the future. Indeed, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) has reportedly said “U.S. troops could be in Iraq for ‘a thousand years’ or ‘a million years, as far as he was concerned.”
Democrats have a different vision. Former senator John Edwards (D-N.C.) has proposed that 40,000 American combat troops be immediately withdrawn, with all troops to be withdrawn within 19 months. Hillary Clinton has vowed to start phased withdrawals within 60 days of taking office and to have all troops out by 2013. Barack Obama, who opposed the war from the start, advocates withdrawing one or two brigades from Iraq every month, with the goal of finishing within 16 months. Again, in an election where Americans are seeking change, Democrats are offering fresh visions for the country’s future.
When President Bush withdrew America from the Kyoto Protocols in 2001, he sent a clear signal to the world that his administration gave little importance to environmental issues. In that vein, the Republican primary debates so far have relegated environmental issues, especially global warming, to second-tier status. (Ultram) To their credit, both former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) and Senator McCain have stated that they believe global warming must be dealt with, but neither has been willing to take bold enough stances on the issue to bring about true change. Every Democratic candidate agrees that America can’t afford not to be a driving global force in the fight against climate change. To this end, Barack Obama has proposed that the United States reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and improve energy efficiency by 50 percent by 2030. Hillary Clinton has proposed a new cap-and-trade program, which seeks to use market incentives to lower pollution, and an increase in fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030.
The American people are searching for a new direction and this year’s field of Democratic candidates has provided them with a bold new vision for our nation. As students, the long-term ramifications of this election weigh on our shoulders more heavily than any other segment of American society. By supporting Democrats in 2008, we have the opportunity to move beyond the regression of the Bush years and reshape America to ensure that we leave the country we are about to inherit better than the way we found it.
