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VOLUME CXXX, SPECIAL EDITION The Pingry School, Martinsville, New Jersey NOVEMBER 2, 2004 SPECIAL EDITION: ELECTION 2004 MAJORITY OF STUDENTS SUPPORT BUSH, FACULTY BACK KERRY

51 Percent of Student Body Concerned About Draft, 52 Percent Oppose War in Iraq

Which candidate do you most support? By NADINE REITMAN (V) dents classifi ed themselves with JULIA NOSOFSKY (I) as moderates (28 percent), 32 percent were “somewhat” More upper and middle or “very liberal,” and 28 school students support Pres- percent were “somewhat” or ident George W. Bush in the “very conservative.” Only 8 2004 election than support percent were “very conser- Massachusetts Senator John vative” and 10 percent “very Kerry, but only a minority of faculty members back Bush, the Pingry Recordʼs Election “I thought Bush 2004 poll shows. would win among Older students were also more likely to report their students 60 vote as still being “unde- cided.” percent to 40. I Of the 298 students in the was surprised it Upper School who respond- ed to the poll, which was was so close.” distributed through history – Dr. Jim Murray classes, 47 percent support Bush and 42 percent support Kerry in the election. In the liberal.” Middle School, numbers Regarding the campaign were similar, with 45 per- issues of terrorism, the war cent supporting Bush and in Iraq, the economy, health- 36 percent backing Kerry. care, jobs, national security, However, the 46 out of 104 and the environment, the faculty members who com- faculty picked Kerry as pleted their polls are at odds *Among likely voters, CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll, October 22-24, 2004 the better candidate for the with the student opinion; country. The smallest mar- 78 percent support Kerry Upper School - How do you classify yourself Faculty - How do you classify yourself gin of support Kerry enjoyed while only 17 percent sup- politically? politically? among the faculty was still port Bush. a 30 percent difference, in 14 percent of the Middle which 54 percent supported School, 8 percent in the Up- Kerry on national defense while 24 percent backed Bush. Upper school students “We don't need chose Bush as the better man to be in Iraq. We for terrorism, the war in Iraq, and national security, but should just fi nish picked Kerry as the leader and get out.” for the economy, jobs, and – Cori Hundt (IV) “I don't think the election affects me per School, and 4 percent of faculty are reportedly un- personally.” decided. The percentage of – Nic Meiring (I) undecided voters in Forms III through VI decreased as analogous to national num- healthcare. the age and form increased. should be legal except for in to do so. Three-quarters of those, 14 percent “strong- bers than teacher responses Comparing these results Third-party candidates the third trimester of preg- those seniors voting say ly approve” of Bushʼs job are. Among likely voters to national numbers, the did not draw overwhelm- nancy,” while only 7 percent they will vote for Bush, and as president, but a quarter nationwide, the October 22- student bodyʼs stances are ing support from either the of upper school students one-quarter will back Kerry. “strongly disapprove.” 24 CNN/USA Today/Gallup once again more in line with student body or the faculty. felt that “abortion should None will support Nader. Most Upper School stu- Poll put Bush ahead of Kerry responses nationwide. In Three percent of the Upper 78 percent of the faculty dents, 41 percent, purport- 49 percent to 47 percent. the previously referenced School and four percent plans to vote for Kerry, but edly affi liate with the Repub- Nader held only one percent. “We can't wait for CNN/USA Today/Gallup of the Middle School back of these, only 59 percent lican Party, 32 percent are However, the Gallup Poll Poll, majorities fi nd Bush to Reform Party candidate another attack profess to be Democrats. Democrats and 27 percent only polls .000735 percent Ralph Nader. No faculty 22 percent of teachers and are Independents. However, of Americans age 18 and before we realize a members or upper school administrators are Indepen- the largest percentage of stu- Continued on Page 4 older. females reported to support threat and respond dents and 20 percent are Student opinions are also Nader. Libertarian candidate Republicans. 69 percent of closer to national trends on to it.” Michael Badnarik drew one Kerry backers support him issues than faculty membersʼ INSIDE vote from one male senior. – Bess Rowen (VI) “strongly,” while only 50 are. 61 percent of upper Among Forms, Bush drew percent of Bushʼs supporters school students and 89 per- feel the same way about their more supporters in each in- never be legal.” However, cent of faculty do not support candidate. more faculty responded that a constitutional amendment 59 percent of the faculty “abortion should never be “'Under God' limiting marriage to hetero- said they were “somewhat legal” (11 percent) than sexual couples. According liberal” or “very liberal,” does not belong agreed “abortion should only to the National Annenberg and 26 percent said they be legal in cases of rape, in the Pledge of Election Survey, only 49 were “moderate.” 67 percent incest, and/or endangerment percent of citizens nation- “strongly disapprove” of to the motherʼs health” (7 Allegiance.” wide do not support the Bushʼs presidency. percent). proposed amendment. Upper school students – Greg Selover (V) 100 percent of the 46 On the issue of abortion, are nearly split on their ap- faculty members surveyed both upper school students proval rating of President are planning to vote on No- and faculty support a more Bush – 46 percent “strongly” Courtesy of JibJab.com dividual form except Form vember 2. However, of the 5 liberal-minded policy. 56 or “somewhat approve” of Students face off on the issues and the election. See pages IV, which backed Kerry. percent of the upper school percent of upper school re- President Bush, while 47 2 and 3 to read their political opinions. Also, Danielle Generally speaking, stu- student body that is eligible spondents and 78 percent of percent “strongly” or “some- Peretore (VI) comments on the culture of the 2004 elec- dent responses are more to vote, only 86 percent plan faculty agreed that “abortion what disapprove.” Among tion. P. 4 2 THE PINGRY RECORD ELECTION COMMENTARY NOVEMBER 2, 2004 EDITORIAL Kerry: Whereʼs Bushʼs Budget Going Beyond the the Money? Woes The presi- Hayden Reich (VI) according to Sound Byte dential race is the Associated A l t h o u g h Adam Goldstein (V) projects (the a close one this Americans dis- Medicare drug Every major media outlet in the country has covered, surveyed, Press. Even year, and it seems agree on Iraq, benefi t and the tracked, polled, analyzed, and editorialized the 2004 presidential though there the countryʼs abortion, stem- creation of a election ad nauseam. are other poli- economy will cell research, Department of That said, the editorial staff of the Record decided that such cies that might turn out to be a and polygamy, Homeland se- an opportunity for in-depth political reporting and polling comes have provid- very large factor most agree on curity, to name along only once every four years, and we anticipated that this ed a greater in this election. one thing: the just two exam- special edition issue would yield interesting results. POINT stimulus to the So, the question government COUNTERPOINT ples) are paid The Record created three polls in mid-October – a short, four- economy, the is, how does the record of the should spend for by foreigners. question survey for middle school students, a comprehensive presidentʼs tax cuts, temporary Bush administration match up no more than it earns. Unfortu- Why is this a problem? 13-question poll for upper school students, and a comparable unemployment benefits, and to the proposed policies of John nately, by this measure, George It means that the U.S. under ten-question poll for the faculty. All polls were voluntary and corporate tax cuts did in fact Kerry? The answer has been Bushʼs first term has been a George Bush no longer con- anonymous. Teachers in the History Department distributed the stimulate the economy signifi - the topic of much heated debate miserable failure. trols its own programs. If the polls during their middle and upper school classes, while faculty cantly. during the fi nal weeks of this In order to provide essential United States cannot afford its polls were circulated through faculty mailboxes. 65 percent of Without the tangible numbers presidential race. services such as education and essential programs in the future middle school students, 58 percent of upper school students, and of President Bushʼs economic George W. Bush came into defense, the government must – an increasingly likely scenario 44 percent of faculty completed the surveys. Based on our sample record, it is hard to predict what the Oval Offi ce at an inoppor- somehow pay for them. In given the exploding defi cit and size, our results refl ect a 95 percent accuracy. lies in store for the economy tune time economically. The general, the government looks forthcoming retirement boom The pollʼs fi ndings suggest the Pingry student body may not be under a Kerry administration. country was just beginning to tax money as its main source – foreign investors will hold the as polarized as the nation is. Needless to say, there has been a great However, the policies that Kerry to fall off the back end of the of revenue. Of course, there is only key to our governmentʼs deal of debate over the election throughout the school in recent has proposed are dubious at best business cycle, coming down disagreement over the balance solvency. weeks. 57 percent of faculty respondents said they had alluded without the benefi t of a concrete out of the popped stock mar- between taxes and benefits; Not only that, the current to or spent time talking about the election in their classes; these budget. With his contradictory ket bubble and peak period of liberals prefer higher amounts deficit will classroom discussions have carried over to the lunchroom and the proposals of a centralized health- the Clinton years. This set the of both, while have to be student couches, and it is encouraging to hear so many students care system (an additional bur- president up in a bad position, conservatives paid for by involve themselves in a world outside of Pingry. den of $2 trillion to the federal The big defi cit means and the subsequent 9/11 terror- a d v o c a t e tomorrowʼs However, at a school that rightfully prides and markets itself budget), no increase in govern- ist attacks ensured the countryʼs lower doses. that the U.S. under taxpayers. on the high caliber of instruction and of students, some studentsʼ ment spending, and his promise recession. What most By the time political knowledge and arguments sound as though they have to cut the budget in half while George Bush no Subsequent corporate ac- people from current Pin- been regurgitated from nightly news broadcasts, morning time giving a tax cut to the middle counting scandals as well as both sides can gry seniors radio pundits, their parentsʼ offhand remarks, or – worse yet – the class, just how Kerry will pay for longer controls its own the War on Terror have all been agree upon, candidatesʼ thirty-second sound bites. his proposed reforms remains turn 40, they blows to the U.S. economy. however, is programs. One of the greatest strengths of Pingryʼs curriculum is its to be seen. These reforms seem will have had President Bush has done a fair that a bal- breadth – the school teaches everything from integrity to physics, to be campaign promises that to pay higher job of getting the country out of anced budget is strongly in the German to fi rst aid. Yet if the students who emerge from Pingry will most likely bear little or no taxes, receive fewer benefi ts, its recession, and a slowly grow- national interest. every year as scholars, leaders, and thinkers are not also educated resemblance to actual policy. and undergo more economic ing economy and job market The reasoning is quite simple: voters, has the school accomplished all that it can? Critiques of both candidates turmoil than their parents did indicate the countryʼs recovery. when the budget is balanced, the The school offers only two courses geared towards politics vary such that it is diffi cult to – solely because of the defi cit. However, critics continue to call government saves money. If and current events – an AP U.S. and Comparative Government determine the economic future George Bushʼs excuse for all attention to the $413 billion bud- the government has to borrow course and the American Dreams class — both offered primarily under either candidate. Howev- this, of course, is that 9/11 re- get defi cit that has been accrued money to meet its debts – as to seniors. But beginning in the ninth grade, students have a “free” er, with the improving economy quired an infl ux of government while ignoring the economic it does when it runs a defi cit period for which they typically choose an art, drama, music, or of the Bush administration, the money to pay for domestic secu- growth we have accomplished – future budgets will be laden language elective. current policy looks as though rity and two foreign wars. What – a 3.3% annual increase in with interest payments, weigh- Perhaps the school should introduce a civics or current events it could continue to benefi t the this excuse doesnʼt explain, Gross Domestic Product as well ing down on taxpayers and the course into the curriculum. The course could be offered to all country and ultimately accom- however, is that the majority of as a recovery in the job market, economy as a whole. students in the upper school as another, non-AP alternative. plish Bushʼs goal of cutting the new spending since September with 1.9 million jobs created in Moreover, if the government Undoubtedly, students and graduates are much better-informed defi cit, perhaps not in half, but 11 has been for non-national the past year, according to the has to borrow money to satisfy than others in our age group. But there is still a great deal students certainly signifi cantly, especially security causes, including new Bureau of Labor Statistics. could learn about their government and the issues that matter. considering that the composite its debt, the government must Medicare benefits, massive Despite this phenomenal Even if self-professed political junkies have grown tired of index of leading indicators is sell its debt to someone. The amounts of pork, and so on. growth in the face of a very dif- this campaign, there is a difference between the school educating up 3.5%, indicating consistent current administration, in its Some Republicans wonder fi cult situation, critics continue students on the politics of the campaign and the school helping growth. eagerness to simultaneously whether John Kerry would to complain about the defi cit. students hold wise and well-developed opinions. Kerry, on the other hand, with cut taxes and raise benefi ts, has handle the deficit any better, However, during wartime, a Because once all of this election brouhaha has settled down, contradictory campaign prom- ended up selling U.S. debt to considering some of his costly defi cit is expected. This particu- hopefully, on November 3, who wouldnʼt want student interest in ises and no real budget to base countries in Europe and Asia. new proposals. The reality, how- lar defi cit is only 3.6 percent of the world outside of college applications and the next big sports a prediction on, seems to be an The net result is that most of ever, is that John Kerry would be the total economy, as opposed to game to stick around? unlikely bet for accomplishing George Bushʼs new spending unable to pass many of his new the high of 6 percent in the 1980s his goals. proposals in a Republican-domi- nated Congress, automatically reducing spending. Strange as Gay Marriage: It’s About Rights, Not Family Values it may seem, confl ict between the executive and legislative family values and “marriage Cheney said, “With the respect Nadine Reitman (V) destruction of the “institution teach their kids that value. branches is an effective way of marriage” and traditional Also, permitting homosexuals as an institution,” gay marriage to the question of relationships, to balance the budget, as Bill family values. to marry wonʼt forbid hetero- actually encourages behavior my general view is freedom Clinton proved in his fi nal years First of all, gluttony, adul- sexuals from keeping their benefi cial to society. AIDS and means freedom for everyone [. in offi ce. tery, and greed are sins, but own beliefs. There will just be other STDs are spread when . .] People ought to be free to Just as someone who refuses those arenʼt unconstitutional. another version of good family sexual promiscuity is practiced enter into any kind of relation- to face his credit card payments, What makes homosexuality values available. with many partners. Encourag- ship they want to.” He believes George Bush is taking the coun- ing marriage of heterosexuals the issue should be decided try dangerously close to bank- Neither candidate most different? But there is also Also, the “institution of and homosexuals alike will cut by the states, not the federal ruptcy. Despite the proposals likely to become president on a difference between a legal marriage” will certainly not down on that type of lifestyle. government. And just for the and attacks from both sides, January 20, 2005 is a self-pro- marriage and a religious mar- break down because a few And if youʼre still not con- record, he has fl ip-fl opped on John Kerry will do better – if fessed proponent of gay mar- riage. Religious organizations more people are allowed to vinced, just listen to Dick his opinion of gay marriage only because it is impossible to riage. George Bush, however, such as churches may continue participate in it, nor will it hurt Cheney. At a rally in Iowa since the 2000 campaign. do worse. wants to go a step further and to refuse to perform same-sex anyone. In fact, banning cou- make a constitutional amend- marriages in the church, even ples from marriage is actually ment banning marriages and if legal marriage licenses are a form of discrimination and civil unions of homosexual available to these couples. Re- is no different from banning VOLUME CXXXI couples. member separation of church interracial marriages. SPECIAL EDITION John Kerry lies in the mid- and state? Yet being prevented from dle of the spectrum. He is not Secondly, though some marrying hinders gay couples Editor in Chief in favor of allowing same-sex opponents say that after same- in infi nite ways. For example, Caroline Savello marriages, nor does he support sex marriages, “marrying an it bars homosexuals from a constitutional amendment object could be next,” I do not trivial fi nancial and other op- against them. In fact, Kerry think people will be streaming portunities enjoyed by married Managing Editor calls himself “champion of gay into county offi ces to obtain couples. If one member of a Danielle Peretore rights.” Thereʼs one problem marriage licenses with their married couple fell critically Production Assistant Nadine Reitman Staff Writers with his statement, however: favorite pairs of underwear, but ill and was admitted to the Adam Goldstein Hadley Johnson he doesnʼt include marriage in thatʼs just my opinion. hospital, the other spouse Melissa Loewinger those rights. And finally, since when would have the right to visit Assistant Editors The most popular argument have “traditional family val- that person. Chantal Berman against gay marriage and civil ues” been so stable in this This is not so, however, Copy Editors country? According to the with the current status of ho- Technical Adviser unions is that homosexual- Josh Freedman Mr. Dean Sluyter ity is a sin in most religions. US Census Bureau, 50% of mosexual partnerships, even if Faculty Adviser Allowing gay marriage will couples who marry will get a they had been together for over Dr. Susan Dineen supposedly open a Pandoraʼs divorce. That certainly doesnʼt 20 years. They are also denied box of other marriage issues, send a good message to the insurance benefits, certain and, as Bush has said, same- kids. A family should be bound tax breaks, and joint property All rights reserved. All contents © 2004 The Pingry Record. Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle after use. sex marriage will lead to the by love, and allowing gay ownership. marriages will let gay couples Besides being harmless to THE PINGRY RECORD ELECTION COMMENTARY NOVEMBER 2, 2004 3 President Bush: Choosing to Freedom’s Security, Not Ignore Us U.N.’s Approval

The possible reinstate- before the U.S. attacked Iraq. Josh Freedman (IV) America has always stood ment of a military draft is On March 8, 2003, just days Hadley Johnson (IV) thousands of Iraqi Kurds. as a beacon for freedom. As only the latest consequence before U.S. troops invaded Critics of Operation Iraqi a country, we have protected of the war in Iraq. The United Iraq, the IAEA reported Freedom argue that America our own freedom by fighting States military is spread to Time Magazine that in disregarded international law to defeat terror and tyranny extremely thin all over the Iran, the nuclear plant is by invading Iraq. Yet Sad- wherever they pose threats to world, and troops have had “ʻextremely advancedʼ and dam Hussein, not America or the world. However, for years to pull out of other coun- involves ʻhundredsʼ of gas George W. Bush, is guilty of America lived in ignorance POINT centrifuges ready to produce committing at least a score tries in order to combat the of the ability of our unseen COUNTERPOINT enriched uranium and ʻthe of war crimes. The United growing problems in Iraq. enemies. But after the tragic “last choice” for dealing with parts for a thousand others Nations has witnessed these In retrospect, it is simple to events of September 11, 2001, that anywhere from 50,000 to the situation in Iraq. atrocities since 1983, and the see the reasons why the U.S. ready to be assembled.ʼ” occurred, our enemies awoke a 100,000 civilians were killed. As we now know, Iraq fact that the organization did should not have invaded Iraq. With irrefutable evidence of sleeping giant, just as Hirohito The abuses continued through did not have nuclear weap- not demand a change of regime However, even at the time nuclear weapons programs in and Hitler did in World War 1988, when Hussein dropped ons and was not a threat in Iraq is reprehensible. The of the invasion, it was clear Iran and North Korea before II. America became vigilant, chemical weapons on Kurdish to the world. However, the United Nations passed 17 reso- that the U.S. should not have the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the looking always for threats on cities. governmentʼs focus on Iraq lutions against Hussein over pursued military operations Bush administration made the horizon. While the war Then, in 1990, Iraq invaded has allowed other coun- 13 years, but they were never in Iraq. the wrong decision to pursue against Al-Qaeda was the pri- the oil-rich country of Kuwait, enforced. The U.S. and its 31 On November 3, 2003, tries to become legitimate military operations in Iraq. ority. one of these threats was leading to the Persian Gulf allies, as cited by President Secretary of Defense Donald threats with dangerous nu- In addition, the war in Iraq Saddam Husseinʼs Iraq. War in which the international George W. Bush in his 2004 Rumsfeld said that “war is clear weapons or weapons has made America less safe For the eighteen years prior community came to Kuwaitʼs State of the Union Address, programs. In January 2003, by encouraging terrorism to September 11, Hussein had aid and forced Iraq out of the always a last choice, for with used their moral clarity and before the U.S- led inva- around the world. A western been committing war crimes country. Throughout the 1990s, war comes the cost of human backbone to defend freedom sion, the Center for Defense according to the standards set Hussein suppressed political life and financial sacrifice nation attacking an Arab and human rights in a country Information wrote “nuclear by the United Nations. Though opponents through violence, for our country.” The inva- nation, with no legitimate that has been thirsty for such production could give North Iraq was not tied to Al-Qaeda, torture, and murder. In 2003, sion of Iraq, however, was reason for war, will obvi- rights ever since Hussein came Korea enough plutonium Iraq encouraged terrorism coalition forces discovered not the last resort, as the U.S. ously enrage Islamic funda- to power. had not exhausted all the for a nuclear weapon within mentalists and make them because it was a destabilizing mass graves of hundreds of diplomatic options available. a few months and five to more likely to attack. The force against human rights Weapons inspectors were seven nuclear weapons by 2003 State Department Ter- and political order in the very sent into Iraq; however, they mid-2003.” While North rorism Report supports this region that housed and sup- A Student’s Right were not utilized to their full Korea was an obvious threat point: the number of signifi- ported the 9/11 attackers. The potential and were clearly a that admitted openly to hav- cant international terrorism fact that America ignored the threat posed by Iraq before way for the Bush adminis- ing a nuclear program and episodes rose slightly and to Choose nuclear weapons, the evi- the number injured went up 9/11, with the exception of tration to say they had used the Gulf War, is discouraging. diplomacy before invasion. dence against Iraq was shaky by over 50 percent in 2003, at best. If the U.S. had not retaliated When com- Jenna Devine (III) have to face Hans Blix, chief weapons in- after U.S. involvement in after having suffered an attack Today, North Korea is an Iraq began. While it cannot panies fail to real pressure spector at the U.N., said the on American soil, Americans provide a prod- even bigger threat, and due be concluded that the war in to correct their Bush administration “chose would have been alarmed. uct that satis- to troop shortages caused Iraq was the reason for this flaws. to ignore us.” Iraqʼs war crimes began fies their cus- A n o t h e r by the war in Iraq, the U.S. increase, it can be shown that Blix was only one of many long before America recog- tomers, they huge benefit of experts on the nuclear situ- has been forced to “reassign war did not stop terror in any some troops from South Ko- nized that the country was a eventually lose school vouch- ation in Iraq who opposed way and therefore was detri- threat in 2001. David J. Schef- rea to Afghanistan and Iraq money and go COUNTERPOINT ers is that they the war. The director general mental to the United States. fer, Ambassador-at-Large for out of busi- and shift most of the 7,000 would help of the International Atomic Over 1,000 coalition ca- War Crimes Issues in a speech ness. But when government people in its headquarters those who need it most. In Energy Agency (IAEA) told sualties have already been at the National Press Club in programs fail, the government November 1998, the Supreme in Seoul out of the capital CNN he was “pretty con- lost and tens of thousands 2000, compiled a list of abuses often grants the programs Court decided to allow the vinced” Iraq had not re- beginning within a year” of Iraqi citizens have been of international laws commit- more money. Nowhere is this Wisconsin school choice pro- started its nuclear program (Washington Times 2003). killed in a year and a half ted by Hussein. Beginning more evident than in the pub- gram to use state funds for that had been dormant since Troop placement in South of fighting. The U.S. has in 1983, Hussein led a war lic school system. private and parochial schools. 1997. Clearly, if weapons Korea is the best way of lost many of its trusted al- against Iran in which 5,000 Leaders of both parties Each year, this program bene- inspectors and nuclear weap- monitoring North Korea. lies and much respect from Iranians were killed by chemi- agree that the public education fits up to 15,000 students from ons experts were less than Without troops there, the around the world that could cal weapons. system is broken and des- the poorest Milwaukee fami- sure that Saddam Hussein U.S. is in even greater danger hurt us in the future. Going From 1987 through early perately needs repair. How- lies by providing them with up had weapons, the U.S. could of being attacked. to war against Iraq and Sad- 1988, Hussein, with the help of ever, Americaʼs worst school to $5000 per student in vouch- not have been 100 percent Along with North Korea, dam Hussein was a terrible his cousin Ali Hassan alMajid, districts generally have the ers. This money comes out of highest per capita spending. certain. In that case, the war Iran was also shown to have idea that has made the U.S. “Chemical Ali,” led an ethnic the public school budget. This For example, in Washington, in Iraq was not Rumsfeldʼs nuclear weapons programs less safe. cleansing campaign against decision levels the playing the Kurds. It is estimated D.C., the yearly average per field for the most underprivi- capita spending is $10,000; leged children in the state, yet students in Washington giving them access to a better consistently rank near the bot- education. If school vouchers School Choice Is Not a Good Choice tom in standardized test scores were legalized nationwide, for and assessments of student voucher programs indicate that from the public school budget find a school or fit into one. the first time in history, poor Josh Freedman (IV) performance. not all public schools in the and thus will further decrease Vouchers also do not work – and often minority – chil- One solution to this prob- voucher system improve due to the quality of public education. because the government cannot dren would be given the same lem, supported by the Bush competition. Vouchers should also not be regulate private schools. Public educational choices that their administration, is school instituted simply because they schools must follow certain wealthier counterparts have. Vouchers hurt the public choice vouchers. In a nation donʼt work. Private schools are state mandates such as state- They would have the freedom school system because they devoted to free enterprise and wide testing and teacher hiring to attend the best schools their remove money from the budget not required to accept voucher consumer choice, it seems policies. Private schools do not money could buy. of the school. When a school applicants, just as they do not surprising that school choice POINT voucher is given, the per-pupil have to accept any other appli- have to follow these mandates An argument many have is not routine. Capitalism has against school choice is that In all elections, education is funding that the government cant. According to the Demo- and, more importantly, “pri- taught us that free-market normally gives is not being paid cratic Policy Committee, “par- vate schools are not required our country needs public an important issue, no matter competition yields a bet- schools to give minority chil- which side the candidate is on. to the school. The Democratic ents may select either to send to provide the same level of ter product, a principle that Policy Committee reports that their child to public school, or special educational services as dren a chance. However, they All can agree that education should be applied to educa- are missing the key point already “many public schools to apply to the private school of public schools.” Because private should be improved, but Demo- tion; parents who can afford to of school choice: vouchers receive inadequate funding, their choice.” Because vouchers schools do not have to accept all crats and Republicans disagree send their children to private would allow poor minorities a particularly those serving high do not guarantee that the student students that apply, they are able on school voucher programs. schools often do, while those chance to place their children proportions of disadvantaged is accepted at the school of his or to discriminate against those A school voucher is money, who cannot must make do in better schools. In fact, 70 children, and would be expected her choice, in many cases they who have learning disabilities taken from the original schoolʼs with the local public school. percent of African-American to do more with less.” Schools are useless. or are disadvantaged. These budget, that a parent can use as If parents want to send their parents who earn less than that have more federal funding The Milwaukee voucher students, who require more tuition to send their child to a children to a different school, $15,000 a year support school taken away from their budget program, one of the first ones to money than regular students, are different school. School vouch- it must be because they find vouchers. What does it say will certainly not be able to im- be instituted in the United States, not able to go to private schools ers are a bad idea for Americaʼs fault with the original public about an argument when those prove their educational quality. gives evidence that vouchers are with a voucher because the educational policy because they school. Under the principles it most affects do not even The many expenses that come not always successful. In the private schools will not accept jeopardize the public school of capitalism, this would force support it? Milwaukee voucher program, the additional costs. This leaves system and do not necessarily from running a public school, the public school to shape up Why should American tax 40 percent of the children who the public school with more work for many students. such as books, teacherʼs salary, or risk “going out of business.” dollars be spent on failing students with higher costs and a While the educational policies building maintenance, and more, wanted to participate in the Contrary to popular argu- schools? School choice forces lower budget. of America need to be reformed, are all taken from the same bud- voucher program could not find ments against school choice, public schools to shape up and vouchers are not the answer. get that voucher systems would schools that would take them. With public schools in horren- the school voucher program provide a better education for Voucher proponents argue that reduce. The anti-voucher group Another 40 percent who attend- dous shape, America is clearly in would not force students out children. It is capitalism in free-market competition will be Rethinking Choices says a “lack ed private schools on vouchers need of some educational re- of the public schools. Instead, action; by allowing school the impetus for improvement in of money is one of the biggest did not return to the private form. Vouchers, however, would it would raise the standards vouchers, schools are forced a public school. However, this problems facing urban public school the following year. These make public schools worse than for all students, especially to compete, and competition theory has not been completely schools. Vouchers make this results indicate that vouchers they already are and hurt the those in failing public schools means better schools at a tested, and current findings of problem worse.” School vouch- systems do not necessarily work students of America who are that, for the first time, would lower price for everyone. ers take away necessary funding because schoolchildren cannot entitled to a good education. Page LECTIONLECTION Volume4 CXXX,E SPECIAL EDITION The Pingry School, Martinsville, New Jersey20042004November 2, 2004 School Liberal on Social Issues, But Divide Seen in Political Support

Continued From Page 1 Student Support for Presidential Candidates by Form formed, with 76 percent Bush enjoyed the majority of student support in every form except Form IV, where Kerry took the lead by 6 responding that they get percentage points. Form I students are the greatest supporters of Nader. their news from major news- be the stronger candidate on papers. However, only one- the issues of terrorism and third of the student body the war in Iraq, but Kerry admits to watching “parody still leads in the economy news TV programs” such as and healthcare. the Daily Show, even though In both the Gallup poll that genreʼs biggest market and the Recordʼs poll, the is the 18 to 35 age group. most dividing issue was ter- 88 percent of upper school rorism. students and 85 percent In keeping with their of middle school students trend, 87 percent of faculty watched “any or all” of the responded that the war in presidential or vice-presi- Iraq was “not worth it,” but dential debates. However, 79 only 52 percent of Upper percent of middle schoolers School students agreed. say they hold the same polit- Both groups are at odds ical views as their parents. with national sentiment; ac- Rating the importance cording to an October 9-10 of the election in their lives Gallup poll, a minority of 48 on a scale from one to fi ve, percent do not support the with fi ve signifying “very war in Iraq. important” and one signify- Regarding the war in Iraq, ing “very unimportant,” a 51 percent of Upper School majority of middle schoolers students said they were “con- rated the election as a 4 or a cerned” about the possibility 5. The previously mentioned of a draft, while 38 percent Gallup Poll has also found were not concerned, and 11 that 70 percent of Americans percent gave no answer. believe the stakes in this Upper school students election to be higher than in also appear to be well in- past years. All in all, do you think the situation in Iraq was worth going to Do you support a constitutional amendment limiting marriage war over, or not? to heterosexual couples?

*Gallup poll, October 9-10, 2004 *National Annenberg Election Survey, October 14-20, 2004 Which One Gets Your Vote – Botox, Fake Tans, or Cowboy Hats? Danielle Peretore (VI) liberal sissy!” – is clear: invisible line between their on who is best to lead our ticipation with that of the performance in a debate. todayʼs media have provided debate podiums, for fear that country on the basis of skin Australians, who are fi ned for Certainly we can aim to vote the presidential candidates Bushʼs smaller stature would tone or number of wrinkles? failing to show up at the polls for a candidate based on his with the opportunity to launch lead swing voters to the Kerry Or even worse, whose tie is on election day. But if our beliefs and goals, rather than opposing smear campaigns. camp. prettier? citizens are going to cast their any of the superfi cial aspects The cartoon also points What kind of a society do Anna Quindlen recently votes based on whose skin is of a media campaign. a fi nger at the preposterous we live in if our presidential ranted in Newsweek about tanner, Iʼm not so sure I want Had the current oppor- Picture Bush and Kerry aesthetic lengths, completely candidates firmly believe Americansʼ depressing voter everyone to vote. tunities of a media cam- singing the following to the unrelated to their proposed we will make our decision turnout, contrasting our par- Such behavior can only be paign existed in the Civil War tune of “This Land is Your policies, to which candidates a result of the media culture era, would we have elected Land”: feel they must go to impress in which we live. Before Abraham Lincoln, with his Bush: “You get that Bo- the public. Kerry gets Botox the Kennedy-Nixon debate awkward features and weak tox!” injections, and Bush drags his in 1960, voters rarely had voice? Or how about George Kerry: “But I still won two pretty, young daughters a chance to see their candi- Washington, with his wooden three purple hearts!” on the campaign trail with dates in action, never mind teeth? Yet surely the loss of Perhaps the animated car- him. Bush dons a cowboy hat focus on their aesthetic quali- these men as leaders would toon at jibjab.com, which when politicking in Texas, ties. And in 1960, who won? have had a great impact on the features Kerry in a hot dog and Kerry fake-bakes. Kennedy: the younger, more very existence of our nation. suit, Bush in a dunce cap, and For the presidential de- attractive, and certainly tan- And therein lies our most both candidates with greatly bates, both men had special ner candidate. Perhaps, then, delicate problem. A great oversized heads and ventrilo- advisors whose jobs dealt Kerry does know what he is leader is not always the tanner quist mouths, is slightly exag- solely with what should be doing on his regular trips to one, or the taller one, or the gerated. But the point made worn. Yes, weʼre talking tie the salon. more attractive one. A great throughout the short fi lm by color. Bushʼs advisors also But certainly we can do leader is someone whose vi- Kerryʼs retorts – “Youʼre asked the Kerry campaign better than vote for a can- sion, like Washingtonʼs and a right-wing nut job!” – to to agree that each candidate didate based on his appear- Lincolnʼs, will impart a gift Bushʼs attacks – “Youʼre a ance, or even his theatrical to our nationʼs future. not be allowed to cross an Courtesy of jibjab.com