Vo l u m e CXXXVI, Sp e ci a l Ed i t i o n The Pingry School, Martinsville, New Jersey No v e m b e r 3, 2008 SPECIAL EDITION: ELECTION 2008

MAJORITY OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA

porting McCain compared males. The most significant Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, By BECCA HAMM (VI) to only 26 percent of fresh- difference between gen- Frank Sinatra, and Ralph Student Body and Faculty- Which Candidate do Unlike in 2004, when a man. Overall, the junior ders was that while only 9 Nader. Compared to the you Support? majority of students sup- class was the most likely to percent of males reported rest of New Jersey, Pingry Undecided or ported President George report their vote as “other/ themselves as undecided or has more McCain support- Other 16% W. Bush and a majority of undecided,” and the sopho- other, 25 percent of females ers, and approximately the faculty supported Senator more class was the most did. same percent of Obama John Kerry, the Pingry Re- likely to lean democrat, Of the 362 students and supporters. According to the cord’s 2008 Election poll with 58 percent supporting faculty members who re- Quinnipac University Poll, shows that both students Obama. sponded to the poll, 55 per- 59 percent of New Jersey There was not a signifi- cent support Obama, 29 per- supports Barack Obama, Obama and faculty strongly support 55% Senator Barack Obama. cant gender gap among stu- cent support McCain, and while 36 percent supports Older students were more dents, with Obama leading 16 percent chose undecided/ McCain, and 6 percent is un- other. Among the write-ins decided. Similarly, a CNN McCain likely to lean republican, by 20 percent among males 29% with 39% of seniors sup- and 25 percent among fe- for “other” were Bob Barr, National Poll from October 21-26 has 51 percent in Which Candidate do you Support? favor of Obama, 43 percent in favor of McCain, and 6 percent undecided. 70 60 Understanding the Electoral College was an essential step in bring- came President, and Burr Vice 50 Form III By ALBERT MAGNELL (IV) ing otherwise separate states President, from votes in the 40 Form IV together to form the Federation House of Representatives. Form V The election in 2000 sparked of the United States. Although it seems overly 30 Form VI a major stir in our system of vot- The number of members in complicated, the system that the Electoral College per state is we have to elect our President Faculty ing. Although George W. Bush 20 was elected President, Al Gore the sum of the state’s numbers of insures that everyone from each Precentage of Votes had a higher percentage of the Senators and Representatives. In state has a voice. It recognizes 10 popular vote. This was not the order to be elected by the Elec- that states with a higher popula- first time that a candidate won toral College, a candidate must tion should have more electoral 0 the Presidency without winning receive the majority of electoral representatives. Obama McCain Other/Undecided the popular vote. John Quincy votes. Because each state has If it were not for the Elec- Candidates Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, a minimum of three Electoral toral College, candidates might and Benjamin Harrison all won College representatives, Presi- never campaign in states such as the Presidency but did not win dential candidates tend to invest Vermont, Delaware, Montana, the popular vote. While the time and money in order to North Dakota, South Dakota, Parents Play Influential Role in popular vote is a good indicator campaign in as many states as Wyoming, and Alaska, or even of who will be the next Presi- possible. In swing-states like Maine, Hawaii, Idaho, Rhode dent, it is the Electoral College Ohio and Florida, which carry Island, and New Hampshire. Shaping Children's Political Views that decides the outcome. a lot of electoral votes and lack Here as well, the Electoral By IAN MARTIN-KATZ (VI) Democrats or Republicans,” conservative,” Eric Oplinger Why is our system of voting strong trends in going for a spe- College represents our Found- Brendan Burgdorf (VI) said. (VI) said, “but that doesn’t set up this way? The answer lies cific party, candidates campaign ing Fathers’ desire to maintain Adolescents face a dif- Nevertheless, he supports affect me—I would vote for in how state representation was even more. a representative federation of ficult choice as they reach Obama. “I get most of my Obama.” Oplinger doesn’t created by the framers of the Another significant effect states, both small as well as voting age: do they vote information about politics look to his parents for po- Constitution. of the Electoral College is that large. It helps to cement the with their parents or against from school and my friends litical information; instead, In early discussions for a people tend to associate with capstone of our Constitution, them? Parents may have a anyway,” he added. he finds sources, such as system of representation, two one of two major political par- the Tenth Amendment: “The heavy hand in their chil- Katie Salvaggio (VI) YouTube, that allow him to proposals were advanced, the ties, the Republican Party and powers not delegated to the dren’s upbringing, but pa- agreed that she wasn’t af- form his own stance. second a response to the first, the Democrat Party, instead United States by the Constitu- rental influence over their fected by her parents’ views, He also admits that the dif- out of which a compromise of a small third party. It also tion, nor prohibited by it to the children’s political views is but thinks that “everyone is ferences between his views emerged. Members of the Vir- builds strong associations in states, are reserved to the states Congress to the two parties be- respectively, or to the people.” not as assured. unknowingly influenced by and those of his parents could ginia Delegation put forward a proposal that came to be called cause with the potential of a tie, The Tenth Amendment is what Some Pingry seniors their parents.” be consequential. “I might be the Virginia Plan. It called for a people want as many members emphasizes the importance are completely indifferent Others are impervious more liberal because I don’t bicameral legislature, meaning of Congress as possible to be of the federation, the States to their parents’ political to the influence of their have to deal with certain that the legislative branch was affiliated with one of the two individually and ultimately, the views. “Honestly, I don’t parents’ opinions. “Both of issues. I want to see better to consist of two chambers. parties. While this makes it American people. even know if my parents are my parents are somewhat healthcare, for example, but The number of delegates that nearly impossible for someone The number of members in it’s my parents who would each state could appoint to from the Libertarian, Green, the Electoral College changes pay higher taxes as a result each chamber was based on or Constitution parties to be whenever the number of rep- INSIDE of such policies.” the state’s population. At the elected President, our Founding resentatives in the House or Cory Babcock (VI) has time, Virginia had the largest Fathers thought that maintaining Senate changes. In this election, a similar relationship with population. a representative federation was there will be a total of 538 Elec- his parents’ political views. States with small populations more desirable than promoting toral College members, which “There’s a pretty conserva- did not like this plan and feared a direct democracy. means that a candidate needs tive atmosphere in my house, that bigger states would drown When no candidate receives at least 270 votes to win. If both but I’m a liberal,” Babcock out their say in the legislature. In a majority of votes in the Elec- candidates somehow receive said. He attributes this dis- response, delegates from New toral College, the election is 269 votes, then because of the crepancy to his education. Jersey drafted what was called then thrown into the House of Twelfth Amendment, passed Representatives. This has hap- after the turmoil of the election “My parents just aren’t as the New Jersey Plan, in which they proposed a single-chamber pened before. When Thomas between Jefferson and Burr, the politically savvy as I am. legislature, where each state had Jefferson ran for President, there House of Representatives will What I’ve learned in AP the same number of representa- were six other candidates. At the decide the winner. Gov has taught me enough tives. time, members of the Electoral Soon, we will find out who to form my own opinions. With the goal of gaining College would choose two of the next President will be. The I believe that Obama will advantages from both plans the candidates to be President. next President will have to deal Courtesy of CNN.com usher in an era of economic as well as votes for approval, The winner became President with a troubled economy, the Choosing the Right Candidate Schoolwide Poll Examines flowering.” members of the Connecticut and the runner-up became Vice wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Upcoming Election Jenny Palacios (VI) says delegation forged the Con- President. This situation led to and nuclear proliferation. Al- Ned Adriance (VI) and Dan that her background influ- necticut Compromise, from a serious issue when Thomas though we indirectly vote for a Elkind (VI) offer opposing Results reveal trends in ences her more than her which came the House of Rep- Jefferson and Aaron Burr both President through the Electoral views on the candidates. P. 2-3. the political stances of the resentatives and the Senate. received the same number of College, the important choice is students and faculty. P. 4. Continued on Page 3 The Connecticut Compromise electoral votes. Jefferson be- ours. Let’s choose the best! THE PINGRY RECORD ELECTION COMMENTARY NOVEMBER 3, 2008 Neoconservative Ideas Lack Credibility little, and lets taxpayers do as out of private enterprise in his- By NED ADRIANCE (VI) taken this country into a war that they please with their money. tory or that the Senator himself shouldn’t have been authorized Yet, these stump speeches fail endorsed it. It seems as though or waged against a nation that The idea that after eight long to acknowledge that President Republicans are blind to their years of failed economic, for- never posed a legitimate threat. Bush—the leader of the Re- own actions and have very little Yet, we’ve seen this administra- eign, and domestic policies and a publican Party—has presided faith in the free market that they crisis of leadership, Republicans tion continue to come up with have decided to a host of differ- field a candidate ent reasons for for the Presidential taking us to war: election in 2008 weapons of mass is rather prepos- destruction, stop- terous. The party ping genocide, that has brought ending a dictator- such disasters as ship, and the list Iraq and the cur- continues. rent economic It boils down recession has the to a simple notion gall to ask for four that American su- more years in the premacy should White House as a exist throughout reward for the last the world, and two terms. that America Republicans should police and should sit the elec- install democracy tion out, begging in fledgling na- for defeat because tions. It’s impor- if they manage to tant that people squeeze this one be reminded that this is the single out by employ- Data compiled from Record ing whatever biggest abandon- Rovian tactics Poll requesting students to rank ment of conserva- that a woman has a basic right they can throw at tive principles that Republicans have squandered their politcal ideology on a to privacy. And over the last the other side, the the new GOP has any claim they might have as eight years, the years of Rove GOP risks losing scale of one to five: one being ever undertaken. the party of individual rights and Schmidt, they have decided its very identity Believe it or not, and small government. They very liberal, five being very that any non-Christian individual and viability as a the Republican have violated the central tenets conservative cannot seek public office lest he national party. It Party was once of their claim to power: that ul- be smeared. will take a crush- an instrument of timate responsibility should be in If they wish to change the ing landslide and peace, a voice of the hands of the people; that the over the single biggest federal claim to worship. politics in this country, the bur- a liberal realignment in this reason that called foreign inter- federal government has no right spending increase since that of I’m personally not a believer den is on the Republicans to country for the Republicans to vention an atrocity. American to impose its values and its will Lyndon Johnson. in severe deregulation. But when reevaluate their betrayal of the finally realize just how severely military, according to conser- on the citizens of this country. Even worse, Bush has exem- you are, as the President and the core principles of their phi- they’ve lost their way in the Post- vatives, was responsible for The rhetoric of the modern plified the disjoint in the philoso- Senator from Arizona have been, losophy. It will probably take a Cold War Era. defending the sovereignty of Republican Party is so tragically phy of his party by continually it makes no sense to rescue in- devastating defeat for the party It’s no surprise that I am a this great nation and nothing distant from the policies it advo- cutting taxes for the rich. Bush stitutions when they have made to reach an ideological consis- liberal Democrat. Anyone who more. Yet, the party’s nominee cates that the two are virtually simply lacks the money to ac- bad decisions. It goes against our tency and logic in their platform. knows me knows my political for President and the effective irreconcilable. Instead of defend- count for the runaway spending understanding of free-market Thus, it will take a defeat of the views. But I’ve always respected standard bearer of the GOP is ing the individual decisions of of his administration. although capitalism: industries are encour- Republicans for political debate the viewpoints that comprise the the single biggest hawk in the the people, the GOP has decided Republicans often criticize them aged, supposedly, to make smart in this country to be intelligent foundations of the Republican Senate—a man who views the that it is the government’s job for excessive spending, at least decisions (like not giving loans and civil again, with both sides Party: free trade, small govern- American military as a hand to to decide what is moral: even liberals have taxes to pay for to people who can’t pay them having a sensible claim to power. ment, non-interventionism, and guide the world with the barrel to the point of regulating what this spending that the GOP back) because if they don’t, they America would be wise to hand personal liberty. The liberal of a gun. two consenting adults may do greatly mistrusts. For Bush, it’s will fail. a victory to the Democrats next versus conservative debate is I’ve long been a sucker for in the privacy of their own bed- a simpler equation: why not get According to true conserva- Tuesday: not only for the good always fascinating, and each side the idea of personal liberty. room. Neoconservatives will rid of those pesky taxes and just tives, the incentive to do well fight to the death to uphold the of the country but for the sake second amendment but deny of the Grand Old Party. Taking Another Look at Senator McCain tion outwardly and openly By DAN ELKIND (VI) for two reasons. For one, I intend my general align- With the presidential elec- ment to serve as a political tion growing nearer, the can- “disclaimer” of sorts. This didates engaged in a meta- article should not be viewed phorical “war of attrition” on in a strictly partisan light; I the national stage, and with merely mean it to inform a the political discourse, even simple discussion of the pol- in my own house, turning icy and the record of Senator more and more towards des- McCain with respect to those perate mudslinging, I think of Senator Obama. it is time to take a step back Secondly, I want to make and take a final, level-headed it clear that I am not trying look at Senator McCain. to shepherd anyone toward I am an undecided voter the one side or the other – I presents valid points. But what spend instead? and to avoid failure is sufficient That’s what I love most about of moderate political counte- am not sure myself who is we’re seeing today isn’t liberal For these reasons, the Presi- regulation of business. But, when this country and what I respect nance, although some might the better choice. I do regret, versus conservative—it’s liberal dent has turned the surplus that the government bails out CEOs most about libertarianism and say I tend to be slightly more versus, well, nothing. his Democratic predecessor gave when they mess up, where’s the true conservatism. On this issue, liberal. I state this qualifica- Continued on Page 3 The modern GOP has no him into a massive deficit. This incentive for big corporations not clear, consistent ideology. The failure in management isn’t just a to be greedy? After all, they can party’s platform is riddled with campaign liability for the Repub- reap the benefits of deregulation Vo l u m e CXXXVI neoconservative incoherence, licans running for office around until their self-interest gets the Sp e ci a l Ed i t i o n and it is becoming clearer and the country. In the years to come, best of them, and then the good clearer that the Republican Party it will be the citizens who have to old federal government will Editors in Chief of 2008 is nothing more than bear the burden of the debt this step in to save them. It’s just Layout Editors Diana Jiang Cartoonist an assortment of wedge issues President has wrought. Conser- another example of the pitfalls Andrew Sartorius Ben Hamm designed to win votes. On nearly vatism makes sense: when you of this new neoconservative Calvin Jones every issue, Republicans have cut spending, you can afford to philosophy. Once again, real Connor Jennings compromised their core values cut taxes for your constituents. conservatism makes sense, but Deputy Editors to drive an axe through the elec- But Bush conservatism—neo- the governing ideology of the last Managing Editor Nick Rice torate and polarize this country conservatism—fails the first eight years falls flat on its face. Jenny Gorelick Jenn Soong even more. grade logic test. Considering the betrayal of The GOP loves to run as the It’s always amusing for me to the Bush years, it’s no surprise party of fiscal responsibility: in hear John McCain or his running that despite running on a plat- Copy Editor Faculty Adviser fact, that’s their biggest trump mate rail against the socialist form espousing nation building Amy Gopinathan Assistant Editor Dr. Susan Dineen card. They decry socialism in policies of his opponent. It’s not and foreign intervention, this Becca Hamm Conard their campaign rallies and speak as if the leadership of the man’s President and the neoconser- of a free market where govern- party has just implemented the vatives of his party (most vo- ment spends little, regulates most massive government bail- cally, Sen. John McCain) have THE PINGRY RECORD ELECTION COMMENTARY NOVEMBER 3, 2008 3 McCain's Policies Show Experience Can The United States Maintain Continued From Page 2 for the first time, through the that increased taxation of the income tax system. Many business sector will not have however, the way that many Republicans have been quick dire consequences in the job Superiority in Today's World? to classify these types of liberal Democrats have seem- market and on main street, or mately, he will be account- ingly disregarded Senator subsidies as “handouts” (a withdrawal would throw even that his tax plan will have By ANDREW SARTORIUS (VI) able to the American people McCain’s candidacy without socially loaded term, as we the entire Middle East into any substantial mitigating ef- when the next disastrous thoroughly or properly inves- know), but in truth they America’s image in the chaos since Al-Qaeda wants fects on the overall economic terrorist attack occurs in the tigating it. simply represent a continu- plight of the country. world is at a crossroads: as the United States to leave United States. Of course, much of the ing expansion of the income I would like to end with a a result of perceived military and would see withdrawal Coming into the first de- liberal antipathy towards the tax to take on a new role in brief note on some of the other failure in Iraq combined as a significant victory and bate, I was undecided. How- McCain candidacy has come American society. charges levied against Senator with the rise of China and motivation for future jihads. McCain that have alienated ever, one of Barack Obama’s as the result of Senator Mc- The concept of using the India. Our nation no lon- Also, unless Iraq is stable, income tax to redistribute him from America’s liberals. responses in that debate im- Cain himself. He has led one ger possesses the status as the country will certainly of the least honorable, least wealth may date back to the For one thing, the idea that mediately placed me in the the sole world superpower fall under Iran’s influence, honest (and not to mention, Bush, Clinton, and even ear- Senator McCain “voted with McCain camp. Obama says that we held throughout the undoing all our progress in least effective) campaigns lier administrations, but that Bush 90 percent of the time” that we should sit down at (which, in a grave political Cold War. Yet this is not to the region. that I have witnessed in my does not necessarily make it the discussion table with- blunder, actually came out of say that America has disap- Perhaps the most impor- lifetime. Between his selec- effective or appropriate. Al- out any preconditions with one of McCain’s own rallies) peared off the world scene; tant battle has shifted to tion of Sarah Palin as his though many Americans (lib- countries, such as Iran and is bogus. in fact, our nation still has a the Afghan and Pakistan Vice President, his repeated erals, for the most part) have President Bush is not a Syria, which are known to very important role to play in borderlands. Here, Al-Qaeda emphasis on the non-issues embraced a new direction for Senator – he does not vote in fund and harbor terrorist directing and influencing in- and the Taliban have been of Bill Ayers and Jeremiah the income tax system, I am the Senate. The closest thing organizations. How can we Wright, and his often-angry wary. Though it may seem ternational politics. Foreign resurgent, targeting Paki- to “voting with Bush” that Mc- speak without precondi- demeanor, he has badly mis- cliché, we must keep in mind policy will play a crucial role stani civilians and American Cain could have done was vot- tions with countries that are represented himself. He is so that the institution of wealth ing with the Republican Party. in this year’s presidential soldiers. Also, Osama bin consciously trying to destroy wedded to the support of the redistribution of this kind can And on that front, Senator Mc- election. The next president Laden is still rumored to our democratic way of life? Radical Right that comprises be a slippery slope, that there Cain’s record has proven to be will be saddled with the be hiding in the mountains Such a policy is akin to sit- his “base,” that many Demo- are other political avenues for one of the least partisan in the monumental task of reshap- between these two countries. crats can hardly remember providing aid to low-income Senate. During his tenure, he ing and rebuilding America’s ting down at a table with a th Pakistan, an important ally, his independent, freethink- families, and that income tax has been ranked between 90 reputation in has just un- reform is not th ing, politically savvy persona and 70 of the the world. dergone a of the 1980’s and 90’s. one of them. It is time to take a step 100 members With a few change in Nevertheless, despite his Senator Mc- back and take a final, of the Senate in exceptions, Cain’s policy government shortcomings during the the frequency John McCain’s campaign season, there are also explores level-headed look at of his party- and is start- foreign policy aspects of Senator McCain’s an alternate ap- line voting (his ing to ques- policy that seriously chal- proach to fuel- Senator McCain. overall percent- is more nu- tion its al- lenge and perhaps, at least in ing economic age was around anced than Ba- liance with my view, are better than the growth: small business tax 83 percent). Senator Obama’s rack Obama’s the United policy of Senator Obama. initiatives. And although it frequency was ranked 12th as it takes into States. Both To cite one example, Sen- seems that it has become during his Senatorial term account the re- candidates ator McCain’s economic somewhat taboo to say it, (88 percent party-line vot- alities of the agree that policy, specifically his tax maintaining relatively low ing). twenty-first Afghanistan plan, is superior to Senator corporate and capital gains Also, to the charge that century world. poses serious Obama’s because it exposes rates has been, in both theory Senator McCain has sup- As much as problems for a significant contradiction and practice, a successful ported the Bush deregulation I would like NATO and between Senator Obama’s strategy in the past. of the financial sector that to believe coalition fundamental interpretation We must keep in mind has flowered into the current Obama’s ideal- forces. For that if we see a tightening of the role that government economic crisis, I would cite ized belief that once, Obama can and should play and that of corporate profits in the his co-sponsorship of the the world’s looks past of many Americans. future, it will only spell cut- 2005 Federal Housing En- problems can backs and more unemployed his party’s According to Senator terprise Regulatory Reform be solved Obama’s campaign website, workers. Tax breaks for the Act, which proposed a new ideological solely through the cornerstone of the Demo- middle class can easily be federal agency to regulate views on war cratic candidate’s tax propos- marginalized if unemploy- the housing market. The rhetoric, let’s and says that al is creating “a new ‘Making ment reaches the projected Democratic 109th Congress face it: such Afghanistan Work Pay’ tax credit of up to figure of 7 or even 8 percent voted the bill down, but the a policy dis- is “the war $500 per person, or $1,000 by this time next year. Keep- fact stands: Senator McCain appeared in known killer who has a gun we have to per working family” which ing businesses in the black actually recognized (at least 1914. The twentieth and the in his pocket: it would only win.” Both candidates sup- “will completely eliminate might be the most important to a certain extent) the grow- twenty-first centuries have encourage these countries port increasing the number income taxes for 10 million economic priority at hand ing instability in the housing been centuries of action and to continue their practices. of troops in Afghanistan. Americans.” However, ac- given the current economic market three years before conflict. Organizations and Look, I’m all for negotiat- While Obama favors sending cording to the Tax Founda- climate. it became one of America’s nations that have wrung their ing with rogue nations, but I thousands more American tion’s 2007 predictions, over It is difficult for me to most substantial problems. hands and tried to talk it out agree with McCain when he troops, McCain has called make a really compelling case 50 million working individu- The major issue that I still have been thrown by the says that if these countries for local Pakistani tribes of als –many of whom will be for either tax plan because the struggle with regarding Sena- wayside. Now, I’m not a pro- the borderlands to “fight for- truth of the matter is that nei- want to talk with us and try eligible for the new tax credit tor McCain’s candidacy is ponent of America involving eign terrorists.” While Mc- – will already be paying zero ther candidate has made clear this: would President McCain to negotiate treaties, they itself in any more costly must first be prepared to Cain’s idea is an interesting income tax before the plan is the extent of “take” in the be the honest and insightful wars, but America can’t rely give and take of their policy. make some concessions. one and probably the best even implemented. Senator of the past 25-some solely on words, as Obama By my thinking, this sug- Although Senator McCain is years or the staunchly-right- In terms of the Iraq War, solution, it has a dangerous would have you believe, gests a serious problem. often criticized for possess- wing politician of his 2007- both candidates agree that historical precedent; during People who are already ex- ing what Democrats call a 2008 presidential campaign? to navigate the treacherous troops should eventually the Soviet-Afghan War, the empted from income tax “trickle down” approach to The latter may be easy to waters of foreign affairs. be completely withdrawn. United States supplied local payments would be receiving the economy, Senator Obama hate, Liberals, but be sure Obama can use as many However, they differ greatly tribes with supplies to repel direct government subsidies, has not given any evidence not to write off the former words as he wants, but ulti- on the timetable of this with- the Soviets. These tribes, drawal. Obama has called for after expelling the Soviet a “responsible and phased Union, became the modern- Students Weigh Parents' Political Stances 16-month reduction,” while day Taliban. Obama’s plan is equally dangerous since that I’m sticking to the things parents’ political disagree- Adriance (VI) agrees with McCain has called for troops it would require significant Continued From Page 1 in which I believe.” ments, diverse political the liberal views of his moth- to remain in Iraq until “there numbers of troops to be Sometimes disagreement views within the household er, father, and brother. “The is political reconciliation withdrawn from Iraq. parents. “I tend to agree between spouses complicates can also be beneficial. An- liberalism of my family has and economic revival and All in all, I believe the with my culture. Since I’m decision-making for young drew Babbitt (VI) enjoys definitely influenced me,” Iraqi forces can operate most important foreign pol- Colombian, [I’m] mostly voters. “My mom is staunch- that his parents disagree he said. alone.” While the liberal icy theme in this year’s elec- Democratic.” ly liberal, while my dad is over politics because he gets Adriance cites the 2000 media would have you be- tion is to restore America’s Many teens are in the conservative,” Giancarlo Ri- to see both sides of every elections as an example of lieve that the war in Iraq has role as the world policeman. same political camp as their otto (VI) said. He was on his debate. “Neither parent tries his family’s influence over been a disaster, significant Europe has washed its hands parents but have diverg- mother’s side until the 2004 to impose his or her views on his political stance. “I was progress has been made: the of such a position, and the ing views of the upcoming elections. “I realized that I me, so I get a well-rounded really upset when Al Gore number of suicide bombings United Nations makes loud election. had blindly supported Kerry understanding of all the is- lost. I didn’t know much at have significantly reduced noises but rarely takes ac- “Although the members without really understanding sues,” he said. all about politics, though, so over the past five years, and tion. Ultimately, the question of my family are all conser- the issues. After that, I did “I can make unbiased I was probably just reacting Iraqis are slowly beginning is not whether the United vative, we support different some research and began to decisions and view things to the emotions of the other to resume their daily lives. States will again become the candidates,” Andrew Wein- identify with my dad’s more objectively because I see members of my family.” To leave in sixteen months, world’s sole superpower – stock (VI) said, “I’m for Mc- conservative views.” both ends of the arguments at It’s not always the parents regardless of whether the job the era of single superpowers Cain while my parents favor Meha Patel (VI) also used home,” agreed Will Stamatis who affect their children’s has been accomplished or and ideologies vanished with Obama.” Luckily, conflicting her own research to develop (VI), who has a conservative political views, however. not, would be irresponsible. the end of the Cold War – but politics haven’t created too political views. “I happen father and liberal mother. “My older brother has defi- We must stand firm until whether the United States much tension in the Wein- to agree with my parents, Stamatis forgot to send in nitely had the biggest in- there are clear indications will continue to participate stock household. “[Mom and but not because they’re my his registration but supports fluence. He’s always been that the country can run in the world community Dad] might not like McCain, family,” she said. Obama. very liberal and I’ve always itself and the scourge of Al- and make the world a safer but they’re proud that I’ve Even though some stu- Some families enjoy com- looked up to him,” Adriance Qaeda has been removed. place. formed my own opinions and dents may feel torn by their plete political harmony. Ned concludes. To set a specific date for Page l e c t i o n Volume4 CXXXVI,E Sp e ci a l Ed i t i o n The Pingry School, Martinsville, New Jersey2008November 3, 2008 Polls Indicate Moderation and Students Agree With Candidates Indecision Amongst Students on Taxes, Split on Iraq percent chose undecided, and While these statistics seem By NICK RICE (V) Fuel Economy Cutting oil company taxes. seven percent chose McCain’s to offer a chance to point fin- According to CNN, McCain It is not surprising that inde- stance. gers and accuse people of not “opposes windfall profits tax cision complicates something The choices for the final knowing their candidate’s poli- 70 on US oil companies.” This like a political poll. The act of poll question, regarding fuel cies, there is no reason that a is the position that is listed simply choosing one of two economy were “cut oil com- McCain supporter can’t openly 60 on the graphs as the “McCain candidates, colors, or parties pany taxes”, “tax oil company support redeployment to Af- Stance.” defines a simple two-dimen- profits”, or “undecided.” Fifty- ghanistan, as there is no reason 50 Taxing oil company prof- sional plane ranging from left four percent of McCain sup- a person can’t support Obama, its. According to CNN, Obama to right. The grandfather clock porters responded “undecided” but still support full withdrawal 40 “advocates a windfall profits of the two party system lets its to this question. from the Middle East. McCain Stance tax on oil companies.” This pendulum dangle as the liberals The decision to “cut oil So what exactly does this Obama Stance is the position that is listed and conservatives scramble to company taxes” came second overwhelmingly undecided 30 Undecided on the graphs as the “Obama shove the pendulum to each at twenty-five percent with poll show? That students are so % of Voters Stance.” party’s respective side, caus- Obama’s stance behind by only apathetic and uninformed they 20 ing it to eternally and steadily four percent. Fifty-one percent are unable to form opinions on Some additional sugges- tions and comments that were swing back and forth in that of Obama supporters sided with issues? Or that students are ex- 10 bland, and boring, and mo- Obama on this issue, forty per- tremely informed and therefore written in included taxing oil company profits to be in- notonous fashion. Though bor- cent were undecided, and nine unable to simplify their deci- 0 ing and monotonous, this left percent sided with McCain. sion to just one of two choices? vested in alternative sources, Obama McCain Undecided versus right mentality is rather I would like to think that While I do hope for the latter, increasing the development of easy to measure and graph sim- the high number of students I’ll have to get back to you on Candidate Supported alternative energy sources, and ply due to a majority rule. undecided on certain issues is that one; I’m still undecided. lowering the gas prices. The undecided provide a an example of casting off the nice kick to this pendulum, sense of party affiliation and Troop Withdrawal in Iraq More troops is a gen- years. It means recognizing sending it into a wild swing turning to independent thought. eral statement. More spe- Afghanistan as the military in all directions and breaking However, that is not always 60 cifically, the position means priority in the Middle East, the aforementioned monotony the case. Truly independent supporting the surge and and gradually transferring while opening an entirely new thinkers may be prone to an- 50 recognizing it as the most troops from Iraq to Af- dimension of views and opin- swer “undecided” when faced successful strategy. It also ghanistan until both areas ions. with the choice between the means recognizing that the are stable militarily and po- One question on the Record policies of just two candidates 40 only way to achieve suc- litically. This is the position election poll, for example, in- because they think beyond cess in Iraq is through ad- that is listed on the graph as quired about the United States’ the simplified ideas of just 30 McCain Stance ditional troops and funding. the “Obama Stance.” national security policy. Fifty- two individuals. Alternatively, Obama Stance Kori Schake, a senior policy Full withdrawal is the five percent of Senator John when a student circles Obama 3rd Party Stance advisor to Senator McCain, immediate withdrawal of McCain’s supporters answered and responds as undecided on %20 of Supporters Undecided said that “General David all American troops from “undecided”. This percentage all issues, it seems evident that Petraeus believes Iraq is the Iraq. It does not include any is even greater than that of the the student may have chosen people who were undecided on Obama because he was affected 10 central front in the war on stipulations for troops in their candidate. by Obama’s charismatic talk of terror.” This is the position Afghanistan, nor is it related that is listed on the graphs as to the political and military Twenty-two percent, the change and hope. 0 the “McCain Stance.” status of Iraq and nearby second largest percentage of Similarly, a student who Obama McCain Undecided Redeployment is differ- regions. There is no major McCain supporters, chose supports McCain and responds Candidate Supported “redeployment of troops to as undecided on all issues may ent than complete withdraw- candidate that supports this Afghanistan”, a policy actually have been affected by advertis- al, because there would still position, so it is listed on supported by Senator Barack ing terms like “maverick.” In be a residual force remain- the graph as the “3rd Party Obama. addition to people who support ing in Iraq for at least two Stance.” Ironically, only sixteen a candidate while undecided percent of Obama supporters on all issues, there are people Economy Cutting corporate taxes tax burden on Americans chose this answer. Instead, who just answer undecided on means cutting the taxes of making $250,000 or less a forty-eight percent of Obama everything. It would seem that 70 businesses to encourage year and increasing taxes supporters chose “full with- this group of individuals simply economic development and on the percentage of Ameri- drawal”, a policy favored by don’t care. 60 eventual prosperity. It is cans who make more than neither candidate. In other seemingly mis- based on the "trickle down" $250,000 a year. This is Regarding the economy, matched results, aside from 50 forty-five percent of McCain those who were undecided effect originially intro- the position that is listed on duced to American politics the graphs as the “Obama supporters were, again, unde- about the candidates, twenty- 40 McCain Stance by Republican President Stance.” cided. In this instance, twenty- two percent of McCain sup- Obama Stance Some additional sugges- nine percent of McCain sup- porters supported Obama’s 30 Undecided Ronald Reagon and rejects porters favored tax cuts for stance of redeployment of % of Voters the theory that deregulation tions and comments that corporations, McCain’s actual troops to Afghanistan, while 20 is the cause of the ecomo- were written in includ- policy. However, twenty-six only seventeen percent favored nomic crisis. This is the ed cutting small-business percent of McCain supporters McCain’s policy. 10 position that is listed on taxes, cutting government still chose to “cut middle class Forty-eight percent of the graphs as the “McCain spending, cutting all taxes taxes”, a policy supported by Obama supporters chose full 0 Stance.” and putting money into cir- Obama. Sixty-four percent withdrawal, which in reality Obama McCain Undecided Cutting middle-class culation, and creating more of Obama supporters chose is supported by neither can- Candidate Supported taxes entails lessoning the job opportunities. Obama’s stance, twenty-nine didate. Word in the Hall: How Do You Get Your Information on Politics?

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