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8-25-2016 The Beacon Magazine, August 25, 2016 Florida International University

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This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Beacon Magazine by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Vol. 1 Issue 1 One copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents. MAGAZINE ELECTIONS 2016

KNOW YOUR DISTRICT DISTRICT 23 DISTRICT 26 Includes Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach Includes Olympia Heights, Kendall, parts of Homestead, Florida City and Candidates: Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (Dem.), Tim Canova (Dem.), the Keys Marty Feigenbaum (Rep.), Joe Kaufman (Rep.), Don Endress (No party Candiates: Carlos Curbelo (Rep.), Joe Garcia (Dem.), Jose Peixoto (Rep.) affiliation), Lyle Milstein (NPA) and Annette Taddeo (Dem.).

DISTRICT 24 DISTRICT 27 Includes Miramar, North Miami Beach, North Miami, Biscayne Park and Includes parts of Hialeah, Cutler Ridge, Pinecrest and parts of Homestead parts of Hialeah Candiates: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Rep.), Maria Perio (Rep.), David Adams Candiates: Frederica Wilson (Dem.) and Randal Hill (Dem.) (Rep.), Scott Fuhrman (Dem.), Frank Perez (Dem.) and Adam Sackrin (Dem.)

DISTRICT 25 Includes Miami Lakes, Doral and parts of Hialeah Candiates: Mario Diaz-Balart (Rep.) and Alina Valdes (Dem.) SEE PAGE 3 FOR VOTING TIPS 2 The Beacon Magazine – Thursday, August 25, 2016 fiusm.com Libertarian candidates visit FIU

STEPHANIE ESPAILLAT News Director [email protected]

nfavorability between the two primary parties has lead some voters to seek out additional options for this election season, and the strong dislike for the Hillary Clinton and campaigns have opened up a spot for third-party candidatesU to enter the political arena. A prominent third party candidate, and his running mate William Weld from the Libertarian Stephanie Espaillat/The Beacon Party, visited FIU on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Wertheim Presidential nominee, Gary Johnson from the Libertarian Party held a townhall at the Wertheim Performing Arts Performing Arts Center in the hopes of capturing the Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19. attention of an audience full of potential voters. “Is this the craziest election cycle ever?” Johnson both believe that they have a strong chance at reaching It describes that the Republican and Democrat asked the audience. “You know how crazy it is? I’m this figure. nominees have some of the worst favorability ratings going to be the next president.” According to a poll conducted by the Wall Street since 1992, and that 55 percent of voters in the survey The former governors came to Miami to persuade hold a negative view of Clinton, and a 60 percent potential voters after being officially nominated as the negative view of Trump. The favorability for Johnson Libertarian presidential ticket in Orlando months before. from the Libertarian Party and Jill Stein from the Green One of the reasons for selecting FIU to host their town Party drew backing from 16 percent out of the 1,000 hall was to appeal to the millennial voters. individuals surveyed. “The millennials are a larger population group than Is this the craziest election cycle ever? You Johnson and Weld both took this visit as an the baby boomers, which is very significant,” said know how crazy it is? I’m going to be the next opportunity to share their ideas and platforms with the Johnson. “Very significant also is that we are leading in president. students at FIU, millennials, and the overall population the demographic [from] 18 to 24, and we are in second of Miami, Florida. place [in the demographic from] 18 to 34. So there is a Gary Johnson After being asked about Hispanic voters in the 2016 lot of room for movement given that no one knows who Presidential Candidate elections, the former Gov. of New Mexico, Johnson we are.” Libertarian Party explained why he does not specifically target Hispanics The Libertarian Party expects to be on the ballot in all for the purpose of gaining more votes and support for 50 states, and Johnson along with Weld, need 15 percent his party. in order to get into the presidential debates, which is Journal, the presence of a third party candidate would almost necessary to win an election. Johnson and Weld impact the elections in an unpredictable way. SEE LIBERTARIAN, PAGE 4 Green Party candidate believes she can reach the Presidential debates alternative third-party candidate Gary Deal as an initiative to “create millions immediately stop deportations that she STEPHANIE ESPAILLAT Johnson from the Libertarian Party. But of jobs by transitioning to a hundred says are tearing families apart,” said News Director as she is favoring highly among younger percent clean renewable energy by 2030, Featheringill. “She says Donald Trump’s [email protected] supporters, she is committed to reaching and investing in public transit, sustainable plan to ban immigrants based on their the debates. agriculture, and conservation.” religion is unconstitutional. Stein would fter being arrested back Featheringill explains that there are She explains that the positions taken offer subsidized health care and education in 2012 for trying to many reason why students should consider by the Green Party is understanding that to undocumented immigrants. enter Hofstra University Stein as a presidential candidate. having a job in the U.S. is a right and should In addition, Stein wants to end poverty to participate in the In terms of issues directly related to be fostered. Creating jobs with living by establishing an improved “Medicare national debates between students, Featheringill explains that if wages for every American who needs For All” single-payer public health Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, third Stein were to be elected, the government work is a right. Replacing unemployment insurance program, end police brutality partyA candidate Jill Stein is still increasing would buy student debt from various offices with employment offices, and by and mass incarceration, focus on women’s her efforts to be included in this year’s agencies, and then write off the debt by advancing workers rights to form unions, rights, LGBTQA rights, indigenous national debates. cancelling it. In turn, this would allow achieve workplace democracy, and keep a people’s rights and land, and increase the As this year’s Green Party candidate, debt-burdened students to have a fresh fair share of the wealth is a must. minimum wage to $15 an hour. Stein has been notorious in attempting to start. Being environmentally conscious is “Break up ‘too-big-to-fail’ banks and break the two-party system, and encourage The Green Party also takes many also guaranteed in the party’s platform. democratize the . Reject voters to consider alternative options positions on education, given that they Featheringill explains that Stein and the gentrification as a model of economic besides the Democrats and Republicans. believe that education should not be Green Party “lead on a global treaty to development. Support development of FIU Student Media contacted Linda a privilege, but rather a right for all halt climate change.” worker and community cooperatives Featheringill, a spokesperson for Stein’s individuals seeking an education in the “End destructive energy extraction: and small businesses. Make Wall Street, campaign, to find out what students should United States. fracking, tar sands, offshore drilling, oil big corporations, and the rich pay their know about Stein and third-party options. “[She wants to] abolish student debt to trains, mountaintop removal, and uranium fair share of taxes,” said Featheringill “First, third party candidates have free a generation of Americans from debt mines. Protect our public lands, water when explaining Stein’s platform. to reach 15 percent in opinion polls to servitude,” said Featheringill. “Guarantee supplies, biological diversity, parks, “Create democratically run public banks be included in the official presidential tuition-free, world-class public education and pollinators. Label GMOs, and put a and utilities. Replace corporate trade debates,” said Featheringill. “This is true from preschool through university, [and] moratorium on GMOs and pesticides until agreements with fair trade agreements.” of both Stein and Johnson. And we’re end high stakes testing and public school they are proven safe,” said Featheringill Lastly, Stein believes in empowering working on it.” privatization.” on Stein’s platform. “Protect the rights of the people of the nation by abolishing Johnson and Stein, who wanted to Featheringill also says that students future generations.” corporate personhood. She wants to be represented in the national debates, and millennials alike may find Stein to be Stein also takes a hard stand on protect voters’ rights by establishing submitted a lawsuit that was recently a candidate they will agree with. immigration; a topic that has been a constitutional right to vote, to enact dismissed by a judge who upheld the One of the main focuses of the Green receiving a lot of attraction in this election electoral reform that would take out big regulation that candidates must average 15 Party, and from which they derived their season. Stein believes that there should money in elections and allow open debates percent support in the polls by September name, is increasing job creation while exist a path for citizenship for individuals that would allow the dismantling of the in order to be a part of the national debates. at the same time implementing ways to and families immigrating to the U.S. two party system. Stein, who is falling behind both reduce harmful environmental impact. “[She would] provide a legal path Clinton and Trump, is also trailing behind Featheringill describes the Green New to citizenship for immigrants, and fiusm.com The Beacon Magazine – Thursday August 25, 2016 3

ON EDUCATION

Hillary Clinton Democratic Party

Hillary Clinton’s plan to meet challenges in education includes making college debt free for all Americans and allowing them to finance their own student loans. According to her campaign website, by 2021, families with income up to $125,000 will pay no tuition at in-state four-year public colleges and universities. On the issue of campus sexual assault, Clinton is guided by three principles to end it on campuses around the country: first, to provide comprehensive support to survivors, second to ensure a fair process for all, and third to increase prevention efforts. On the technology and innovation front, Clinton promises to build tech economy on Main Street by investing many fields such as STEM education, technology research and development, computer science, and technology transfer.

Donald Trump What you should know Republican Party Trump says that he is a tremendous about voting in Florida believer in education and that it has to be at a local level. On the issue of education, Common Core is a set of high-quality Student Media has comprised a list about what to know when voting in academic standards in English language arts/ the MMC and BBC areas. literacy and Mathematics. Trump believes that Common Core is a disaster since the United States was ranked No. 28 in education worldwide while spending far more per pupil than any other country in the world. Trump must complete their registration 29 days before would like to end Common Core and focus on Which Districts affect FIU? Election Day. You can obtain a registration form from education as a priority. the Elections Department, Florida Driver’s License The districts that directly affect the MMC and BBC Bureau, Miami-Dade County Public Libraries, County areas are District 23 through District 27. District 23 Government offices, any state public assistance comprises parts of Weston that stretches toward Miami agencies and Armed Forces recruiting offices. Polls Gary Johnson Beach and is currently represented by Congresswoman should be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Libertarian Party Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. District 24 includes areas from Miramar to Miami and is currently represented by Gary Johnson believes that the state and the Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. District 25 ranges Who can vote? local government should have more control from West Miami and throughout the Everglades. over education. He believes that decisions about It also includes Collier, Miami-Dade and Hendry According to Miami-Dade County’s official site, in education should be decided at the local level as counties. It also holds areas of Homestead, Leisure order to be eligible to vote you must be 18, a citizen of opposed to politicians making decisions in the City and Cutler Bay. It is currently represented by the United States, and you must reside in Miami-Dade nation’s capital. The former New Mexico governor Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. District 26 makes County. Qualified minors may pre-register to vote at believes in the elimination of the Department of up portions of southwest Miami-Dade County, all the age of 16. Education and Common Core. He believes in of Monroe County and is currently represented by the elimination of education and Common Core, Republican Carlos Curbelo. Distict 27 is in Miami- which impose costly and overly bureaucratic Dade County and contains portions of the City of What should you bring? national standards and requirments on local Miami and Hialeah. It is currently represented by schools. He also says that it compromises the Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. If you vote in person, during early voting periods ability to provide a quality education to students. or on Election Day, photo identification is required in order to cast your ballot. Identification should include Where can you vote? information that details your name, photograph, and Jill Stein signature. For a list of excepted forms of identification Green Party State law requires that voters go to their assigned please visit miamidade.gov. voting location on Election Day. Voters must notify Jill Stein’s platform on education entails the Elections Department if they have moved in order to be directed to their appropriate polling station. abolishing student debt and guaranteeing Can out-of-state students vote? Polling locations can be confirmed by checking your tuition-free, public education from pre-school voter information card, calling 305-499-VOTE, or You can vote as an out-of-state student living at on through university. She wants to end high by visiting the Elections Department’s website at FIU as long as you register to vote in the State of stakes testing and public school privatization. miamidade.gov. Florida 29 days before the election. You are eligible She explains that the government would buy to vote with the Miami-Dade office if you reside in student debt from various agencies and then Miami-Dade County. They can also update addresses write off the debt by cancelling it. She hopes When can you vote? at any time, even on Election Day. To download an that this would give debt-burdened students a application or learn more about registering to vote, fresh start. Early voting for Florida has already begun. The please visit miamidade.gov. official primary Election Day for Florida is on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Citizens who are eligible to register

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES The Beacon Magazine – 4 fiusm.com Thursday, August 25, 2016 PANTHER POLITICS

Presidential candidate Gary Johnson and his VP pick William Weld visited FIU to promote their campaign to the community. During the stop, the candidates talked immigration, big government and education. Johnson lacks the 15 percent required in pundit polls to participate in the national debates, but seeks to appeal to voters displeased with major-party candidates.

Photos by Stephanie Espaillat/The Beacon

Johnson, Weld make FIU campaign stop

LIBERTARIAN, PAGE 2 Other platforms Johnson discussed is education and governor’s speech at the rally. the war on drugs; the governor would like to get rid “Although Gary isn’t the ideal Libertarian, he holds n New Mexico, it has the highest of the Department of Education and Common Core, the idea that we need to allow people to make choices, percentage Hispanic population of any decriminalize and legalize marijuana. even if we might personally disagree with those choices of the 50 states. That is 48 percent. and as long as they don’t harm others,” said Blanco. “The Something that I am always asked is more we grow this movement, the sooner we can oust the what did you do to attract the Hispanic outdated two-part system.” vote in New Mexico? Nothing,” said Johnson. “What we Even though Johnson hasn’t reached the 15 percent say“I is the same regardless of the audience. Equality for threshold in the polls to make it into the national debates, all. This is not about granting one or trying to pander. I Believing that first and foremost that immigration he isn’t that far behind. Johnson is working toward his think politicians do that, [and] we don’t do that.” is really a good thing. We are a country of goal by focusing on appealing to voters that might differ Johnson and Weld both believe that immigration is immigrants. The fact that they came here from this year’s primary party candidates. a necessary aspect to the country’s economic state, and “I genuinely believe that most people are Libertarian, illegally is because they can’t get here legally. further develops jobs in the nation. they just don’t know it, and very broadly speaking “Believing that first and foremost that immigration is The jobs exist so they have to cross illegally people believe ‘Get government out of my pocketbook, really a good thing. We are a country of immigrants,” to take care of their families. Just like you or I get government out of my bedroom,’” said Johnson. said Johnson as he explained his platform. “The fact that would be doing in the same situation “Fiscally conservative, socially accepting, tolerant, they came here illegally is because they can’t get here accommodating [is] something that Republicans have legally. The jobs exist so they have to cross illegally to Gary Johnson lost.” take care of their families. Just like you or I would be Presidential Candidate Libertarian Party doing in the same situation.” Johnson and Weld would like to make it an easier process to obtain work visas, while still requiring a background check and a social security card. They Senior student Dan Blanco, majoring in international believe that an increase in immigration will be better for relations and one of the Libertarian attendees at the the United States’ economy all around. governor’s town hall discussion, responded to the fiusm.com LIFE! The Beacon Magazine – Thusday, August 25, 2016 5 Graduate Girl Power

NADINE MATAS not only as an activist, but Efforts on campus, such “It’s very hard to get people Entertainment Director to also educate people so as the Student Government to register when they say [email protected] that things would change. Association’s “Roar to the they don’t ‘have time’, or it FIU alumna, student Not only within FIU but Polls,” are made to motivate doesn’t matter, or they’ll do leader and activist Audrey beyond,” said Arandas. students and get them it another time.” Arandas encourages students At the University, she involved in the process. Arandas highlights to get involved in the voting was able to get involved and Arandas and her co-workers the conflicting behavior progress through the local pursue her passion. “FIU are on campus as well, of those who complain non-partisan organization, got me here through not trying to get students to sign when dissatisfied with the Engage Miami. With a only the organizations I was up to get their voices heard. government or the political degree in women’s and a part of, but also through Arandas explains that climate but are unwilling to gender studies, political the amazing professors and having her voice heard participate in elections. She science and international programs here. I learned through her vote is not just asserts that the registration relations, Arandas is “all so much throughout my a civic duty, but a right that process is not long, “it takes about feminist activism.” courses, I guess you can say was finally given to certain longer to catch a Pokémon.” She says that her I got ‘woke.’” groups after years of protest. “A lot of students experiences at FIU as part Currently working “... So many sacrificed complain that this should of the National Organization as an organizer for the so much just so we may get be an online procedure, for Women, the Women’s Engage Miami team, a local out there and vote,” Arandas so the ability to do this Studies Student Association, non-profit, non-partisan said. “Voting is very much online may help,” Arandas the Generation Action organization “seeking a way for me to take up the said. “However, there are group, as well as her work to increase millennial space that, for a long time, currently so many people in the women’s center on involvement in local and this country didn’t want me out there registering people campus have driven her to general politics,” Arandas to take up. So, it’s my way to vote, there’s no excuse to where she is now and toward has come across concerning of telling the status-quo, not be registered.” her future. issues with university-age ‘Hey! I’m here and I’m not Aside from working with “I did all these things students who are apathetic going anywhere.’” Engage Miami, Arandas has toward the voting process Despite many efforts more plans for the future. Audrey Arandas and and overall election, she surrounding them, many “I am currently working fellow Women Who hopes to change that. students are simply with my friend to create a Lead (right) at the “We’re trying to also get uninterested in participating Miami feminist podcast and 2016 event Miami out there and ‘woke’. in the voting process. website catering to the local Let’s get all of us registered “A lot of people are Miami wom@n[sic]. And and ready to vote. Let’s get apathetic toward voting through that, a bunch of us everyone aware of what’s but when ‘bad’ legislation feminist activists are trying going on in our community,” or a ‘bad’ politician gets to create a Miami feminist said Arandas. “Let’s just get out — they’re all about coalition — it’s very everyone ready.” complaining and hating exciting.” Arandas said. everything.” Arandas said.

Photos Courtacy of Audrey Arandas Student Government Association launches initiative to make Panthers “roar to the polls”

discussions “as part of this initiative to encourage students to The second and third events will take place the following NADINE MATAS register to vote and vote in the upcoming elections.” month. On Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the kissing bridge, SGA will Entertainment Director Alian Collazo, president of SGA, told Student Media in discuss the themes of voter myths, with guests from “Rock [email protected] July, the main goal is “[to] get as many students registered the Vote” providing voter information. as possible by the time registration closes. If we are able to The trilogy of events will end on Monday, Sept. 27, on The Student Government Association hopes to encourage engage students from now until these times we are going National Voter Registration Day. Taking place in the GC the FIU student body to register to vote with their upcoming to be able to have a good amount, a really good amount of pit, “We will be celebrating ... the efforts of our ‘Roar to voter event series, Roar to the Poll. students sign up to vote.” the Poll’ series in getting a large portion of our student body In a press release, SGA emphasizes the importance of The first event, on Wednesday, Aug. 31 in GC 243, will registered and ready to vote in the Aug. 30 primary election participating in this year’s election: “This year is a particularly focus on voter literacy. “Primarily, we will be discussing and Nov. 8 general election.” important election year since we will be nominating our why it is important to vote, the differing political positions of All events will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on country’s leader for the next four to eight years.” candidates for elected offices, and the various ways by which their respective days. In a three-day event series, SGA is organizing community one can vote.” as stated on the press release. FINANCIAL AID ISN’T COMING

Samuel Pritchard-Torres/The Beacon The Beacon Magazine – 6 fiusm.com Thursday, August 25, 2016 DONKEYS AND ELEPHANTS Third-party movement lacks understanding ROOM 101 The 2016 third-party movement is losing elections to ideologies unlike their own, coalesce into If the third party movement is serious about creating a more dangerously ignorant of history and the increasingly large parties to at least ensure a candidate leaning inclusive polity in the U.S., it must first begin by taking aim at political system of the United States. in their direction wins. Eventually, all ideological differences the fundamental political systems that build this government. Unfortunately, a writer for The Beacon on both left and right are more or less flattened into two big The problem, however, is that people are lazy. A classic wrote a piece on the subject that was also tent parties. example is this idea that a vote is anything more than a subject to this bit of ignorance: it calls for preference between two candidates in the United States. the conceptualization of the United States Trying to change to a more parliamentary-style multi- JUAN as a multi-party system. The fundamental party system will require years of organizing, hard work, and SALAMANCA reason why this argument is so misguided is Sorry, millennials, you can’t just choose your fighting for things like constitutional amendments. It won’t that it confuses consequence with process: way out of politics like it’s a bad movie on happen in the course of a single election and it won’t happen simply vote away the two-party system and it’s gone. immediately. Netflix. The big problem with this conclusion is that the American Sorry, millennials, you can’t just choose your way out of political system is designed under the framework of single- politics like it’s a bad movie on Netflix. But you are right that member district plurality; that is, elections are decided by who this system is wrong and untenable and creates incredibly holds the most votes rather than the majority of votes. unfair outcomes. That’s why it’s time to get to work, the right While this may seem like some arcane technical argument, While party shifts have historically happened in the way. it actually makes a huge difference in electoral systems. The United States, it has been rare and has simply resulted United States system could theoretically have 10 candidates in a reproduction of the two-party system. A third party, Juan Salamanca is a staff writer for FIU student running for president and the one who would win would be the especially strongly ideological ones, such as the Greens or media. His column, Room 101, focuses and provides one with 11 percent of the votes. the Libertarians, wouldn’t have a chance to make a difference commentary on the dynamics of the political arena. This condition mathematically results in a two-party even if they broke out with 20 percent of the vote across the For suggestions or comments, please contact Juan at system; ideologically-aligned fringe parties, tired of always board, because they would still result in having zero power. [email protected] I’M JUST GLAD TO BE HERE

Sam Pritchard-Torres/The Beacon Your vote, voice are tools for change POP TALK This November, the or policy. In fact, on Trump’s presidential skyrocketing and prevent overtaxing. research. Yet, some Americans still have a most anticipated event of campaign webpage, the candidate doesn’t It appears as though both the Democratic difficult time voting. the year will take place. list education under his positions. and Republican parties are on polar opposite American history shows that no third- The 2016 election is On the other hand, Clinton’s webpage sides of the spectrum when addressing party candidate has ever won a U.S. right around the corner proposes to make college debt-free, education and many other important issues. presidential election. Perhaps the emphasis and as we move closer to available to everyone and also purports to To many Americans, there is not a middle- on the two major parties has affected the electing the new leader take on existing student loan debt. After ground candidate to choose from. However, way Americans vote and their perceived CINDY CUADRA of the United States, collaborating with on one third-party candidates, such as Libertarian options. Americans everywhere of the most prominent positions of his candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party Students like myself, who make are as conflicted as ever campaign, Clinton decided to put more candidate Jill Stein, are still presidential education a priority, shouldn’t be afraid to over the nominees of the two major parties. focus on tuition-free education reform. candidates we can vote for. vote for a third-party candidate if it’s your Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton and According to Clinton’s presidential According to Johnson’s presidential ideal candidate. Voting smart means voting Republican candidate Donald Trump will go campaign webpage, families with a campaign webpage, the Department of for the candidate you truly believe will head to head to win the presidential seat. household income of up to $125,000 will Education should be eliminated. Johnson make a good president, regardless of the Ed O’Brien, an assistant professor of not have to pay for tuition for in-state four- proposes that state and local governments party they belong to. behavioral science at the University of year public colleges and universities by the have more control over educational policies Therefore, this November, students Chicago and Nadav Klein, a post-doctoral year 2021. and that decisions involving educational should vote for the best-fit president, and student from the University of Chicago’s While tuition-free education sounds like reform be made closer to home. should be made aware that our votes really Harris School of Public Policy, wrote an music to our ears, many people are skeptical Meanwhile, similar to Clinton’s position, do count and can affect the future we live in. article published by Fortune in June, which of this type of reformation. Stein’s presidential campaign webpage said that according to the polls, Clinton and published an proposes tuition-free reform from preschool Cindy Cuadra is a staff writer for Trump are the two most disliked presidential article by Kevin Carey in July 2016 which through university and also proposes the FIU Student Media. Her column, Pop candidates in American history. highlighted one of the major problems with elimination of standardized testing in Talk, is a commentary on pop culture As a college student, hearing that Clinton’s tuition-free education plan: tuition schools. current events. For suggestions or statistic gives me an unsettling feeling. varies depending on the state. As a result, It is evident there are many other options comments, please contact Cindy at According to a Huffington Post article the government would have to figure out than just a Republican or Democratic vote. [email protected]. written in July 2016, Trump doesn’t even how to make college not only affordable but Choosing the best candidate is not difficult have a formal stance on education funding also how to prevent the national debt from when voters do the proper and thorough The Beacon Magazine – 7 fiusm.com Thursday, August 25, 2016 Candidates have a responsiblity to debate

ABBEY’S CORNER A current senator or mayor running Campaign, they charged Giménez with “hiding behind an opportunity for the candidates to present their case and for re-election often has an advantage the media smoke screen” and questioned his regard for platform so that citizens can make a more educated choice. in politics, by virtue of having name government transparency. Although this trend toward complacency among recognition within their respective Even candidates without incumbency have been candidates seems to be mounting, there is a simple solution. communities and is often less willing presented with the opportunity to debate and have failed Citizens must hold candidates accountable. Regardless of to debate than a new face in an election. to accept the challenge. party affiliation, calling or writing your representatives From an incumbent’s perspective, In May, Donald Trump suggested he would partake in and ensuring they are willing to open a dialogue with their ABIGAIL OLSON merely debating their opponent shines a debate with then presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders. opposition could lead to improved party relations and a light on an alternative candidate for Yet, Trump later issued a statement in which he deemed it force compromise. office. “inappropriate to debate the second place finisher.” Ultimately, debate may even lead to better policy- However, this refusal to debate has become a trend in There is an underlying issue when elected officials or making in the future. It’s time American citizens demanded politics that goes against the fundamental purpose of a candidates for office refuse to discuss and defend their more from the people they choose to represent them. It’s liberal democracy. prescribed solutions to the problems affecting the lives of time to talk. For instance, current Miami-Dade County Mayor the people they wish to represent. Carlos Giménez, according to his opponent Raquel In a democratic society, debate is a necessary Abigail Olson is a contributing writer for FIU Student Regalado, did not agree to participate in any debates until exercise in free political speech. It increases government media. She additionally hosts the Claw & Growl on WRGP late in the election cycle -- a mere eight days before the transparency and fosters a political culture of informed FIU Student radio. For comments or suggestions, please primary election. In a statement released by the Regalado voting. Especially for undecided voters, debate provides email Abigail at [email protected]

Modesto Maidique a “Trump Whisperer”

Modesto “Mitch” nominee for president straightforward. prides itself in its large to have a former defunct. Maidique wants us to can be better understood, We wonder minority enrollment president, especially The Miami New get to know the Donald according to Miami what translation of and community -- there one whose name is so Times reports that Trump he knows. New Times. Maidique Maidique’s proposed seems to be a disconnect deeply affiliated with Modesto Maidique Maidique, after has additionally begun “Trump-dictionary” from the young faces the University, support “admits he can see why whom MMC is named, raising funds for the would explain the racist who fit the profiles of Trump. Trump is “accused of has never been afraid Republican nominee’s remarks that tumble out the minorities Trump As someone who once many things” but says of wading into political campaign. of Trump’s mouth. has unfailingly berated. headed an educational what the presidential waters. In 2000, he But there is no establishment and candidate is quoted as openly endorsed George misunderstanding -- graduated from Harvard, saying -- and how it’s W. Bush, and was even Trump is an outright Maidique’s support interpreted -- is not appointed to Bush’s bigot. of the founder of a necessarily what he Education Advisory From suggesting It is a great shame for the FIU community for-profit university really thinks.” Committee. This isn’t that Ghazala Khan, a to have a former president, especially one scheme is ironic. Regardless of whether an unethical or illegal Muslim mother who had whose name is so deeply affiliated with the Trump University Trump lacks the ability action -- it’s simply lost her son in the U.S. University, support Trump. ran from 2005 to 2010, to communicate clearly unheard of. military was forbidden pushing its students or not, the editorial board In July, Maidique from speaking, to stating looking to earn the at FIU Student Media openly backed Trump, that Gonzalo Curiel, an promised techniques in cannot take the excuse saying that he’s simply Indiana-born federal real estate to enroll in Maidique has provided “misunderstood.” The judge presiding over expensive seminars and as a means to overlook fourth president of FIU action taken against For a man like Many of these young mentoring programs. the reckless racism said that he is “almost Trump University, could Maidique who sat faces belong to students Lawsuits accusing and sexism Trump has at the point of making not do his job because at the head of our attending FIU. Trump University directed towards his a Trump dictionary,” of his Mexican heritage, University for 23 years It is a great shame of racketeering have fellow Americans. so that the Republican Trump seems pretty -- a university which for the FIU community rendered the company MAGAZINE EDITORIAL BOARD News Director Opinion Director Copy Chief Director of Student Media Stephanie Espaillat Entertainment Nicole Stone Martina Bretous Robert Jaross Editor in Chief Director Asst. Director of Cayla Bush Sports Director Nadine Matas Multimedia Director Ad Manager Student Media Jayda Hall Javier Sanlley Seth Louis Alfred Soto

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