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Opinion

Election must be shaped by key issues

Cheycara Latimer
Opinion Columnist

As college students, we stand to be not only the future of America but the key to its success. Our chosen careers and job paths will provide the economy with doctors, lawyers, teachers, artists of every kind, politicians and more. 

However, next year we have an opportunity to take part in what could be the most historically interesting presidential election ever. Think about it: for the first time there is a strong possibility we could have a female president. There is also a strong possibility that our next president could be black. We need to start looking now at what these candidates stand for and if they truly have our best interests at heart.

On the other hand, it is imperative to remember that even though a candidate seems as if he or she is relating to our own personal convictions, it doesn't mean that he or she will retain these views once elected to office. 

Americans, especially college students, must first be able to formulate their own opinions about these issues and then choose a candidate. Issues such as gay marriage and the war in Iraq weigh heavily on the minds of Americans. 

Conservatives and some religious organizations are looking to put a ban on gay marriage because in their eyes homosexuality is immoral and ungodly. Some say that gay marriage means the destruction of family and the institution of marriage. They say gays and lesbians are not capable of being parents because there isn't a man and a woman in the home. 

Organizations such as American Family Organization and Center for Reclaiming America strongly endorse those politicians who they believe are the key to getting their views heard in Washington, as well as on the ballot in some state elections. For example, Republican Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas is a strong supporter of anti-gay legislation such as banning gay marriages as well as civil unions and denying equal rights to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

This seems to go against "liberty and justice for all" and representation for all people as opposed to a select few. This should be kept in mind when choosing a candidate to vote for. 

Speaking of liberty and justice for all, according to numerous speeches made by President Bush, the war in Iraq is supposed to help the Iraqi government achieve or create some sort of democracy. The president would like to alleviate weapons of mass destruction that would bring harm to American soil and citizens. However, it is still unclear if any of these alleged weapons were ever found. Let us not forget that Osama bin Laden, the original reason for going to war, still has yet to be captured and tried for the terrorist attacks in New York on Sept. 11, 2001. 

Questions such as whether more troops should be sent to Iraq and whether we need to be there at all are increasingly becoming reasons why politicians are now opposing the war. 

Candidates, such as Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd from Connecticut, who were once behind Bush's decision to fight this war are now its opponents and want it to end. According to a BBC article, Dodd was once in favor of the war but has recently criticized his colleagues for not challenging Bush on his proposal to increase the number of troops in Iraq. 

While the issues above are important, one cannot forget issues such as education reform and the care of the elderly. There are thousands of people out there who have the desire to go to college but cannot because of the lack of financial aid. There are also numerous senior citizens who cannot afford their medical expenses. These issues seem to be falling through the cracks and are losing their luster to the American people as well as our political candidates. 

As college students, we cannot forget the issues of our country. We cannot simply be in favor of one or a few without carefully examining the pros and cons of all, which is why it is important to carefully choose who we want as the next president of the United States. Our vote may change our country's history and the way it is run for years to come. Our choices now affect our outcomes later. We have the opportunity to take a stand for what we believe in and choose candidates that hold those same values.

Latimer, a communication/English post-baccalaureate student, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu