The Choice is Yours--Second Hour Dems

The Choice is Yours
--Samma Montana


You’ve seen the debate, heard the speeches, and seen the commercials. And now, before you know it, you’ll be faced with the decision that could make or break the future of Nebraska. Who will you choose for a seat in the House of Representatives? Republican candidate Kurt Bullard, or Democratic candidate Mark Rodriguez? While both candidates show a few obvious strengths and weaknesses, my vote finds comfort with Rodriguez. His attention to issues, like the environment, welfare, and education have won my support.
One issue that I feel has strongly helped cement my vote for Rodriguez is his stance on education and the negative effects of standardized testing. While standardized tests may help ensure that certain skills are taught, Rodriguez doesn’t believe that teachers should have to teach to the test, students shouldn’t have to learn to the test. Standardized testing isn’t the only thing that calls for change in today’s school systems, education reform in general needs to take place, and Rodriguez will help work to ensure it happens.
Welfare is an extremely important issue in today’s politics. Mark Rodriguez wants to make sure everyone who needs help is receiving it. After all, the government is meant to help people, rich or poor! Bullard wants to cut back on welfare spending, but does he realize what this could do to millions of Americans, such as those with extremely low incomes or disabilities? Welfare includes a variety of programs designed to best fit citizens in need, including low-income undergraduate students, veterans, low-income families, young people with serious disabilities, and even senior citizens in need of health insurance. Why do we need to cut back on helping people who are clearly in need of assistance?
Another issue that seems to have been shoved to the side in Kurt Bullard’s campaign is the environment. Rodriguez is serious about his plans to keep Nebraska, and all of America, as environmentally healthy as realistically possible. Some of Rodriguez’s initiatives to improve the environment include encouraging people to recycle more and helping America to become less dependant on foreign oil by increasing ethanol production. Rodriguez WILL make changes to the environment that will only help Nebraska.
Ultimately, the choice is all yours when you go out to vote on the coming Election Day. But when you do pick your new representative, I hope you’ll keep in mind the impact your vote will have. Your vote will impact not just you but thousands of Nebraska students, millions of needy Americans, and on the health of our entire planet Earth. I hope you will recognize the impact your decision will have on our entire future.