Q&A
Answers provided by Zachary Nesbit, Current president of the College Republicans at USU.
1. How many students on campus are member of the College Republicans?
We have about five or six active members and four or five more that get e-mails weekly.
2. How many nationwide students are members of the College Republicans?
About 200,000 nationwide
3. Why is it important that students be politically involved?
I think that students should become involved for two reasons: one, whether people know or not, elections and issues really do affect their lives and second, too many people let others tell them how to vote simply because they don’t bother to find out about things on their own. Being involved will help people find out where they stand on issue.
4. What is the number one political issue facing Utah right now?
I think that in that next couple of years immigration is going to be a huge issue on the national level and it will have a huge effect on Utah
5. What are your predictions for the 2008 elections?
It all depends on who the Republicans run; if they can find a candidate that will run on conservative values, there’s no question they’ll win the White House again.
6. Should the United States pull out of Iraq? Why or why not?
Absolutely not. Pulling out of Iraq will tell every terrorist group the world over that if they push hard enough, we’ll quit. No, pulling out of Iraq is a horrible idea and would only encourage terrorism the world over.
7. Is the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide inevitability in the future? Why or why not?
No, I don’t think that it is. There are still a lot of Americans that are opposed to such a thing. As long as people are willing to stand up and make their voice hear on this issue, I don’t think that it is inevitable.
8. What is the biggest problem with media coverage today?
I don’t have a big problem with the media today, Are they biased? Yes. But I think most people recognize that now and either get their news elsewhere or don’t believe completely what they see and hear. In a way, it’s nice if I want to know what the liberal talking points are I turn on CBS, NBC,CNN and there they are.
9. What are some of the misconceptions about the College Republicans?
That we’re closed-minded, we’re not, it’s just that many of Republicans look at the issues and came to a different conclusion then other people. I always find it funny that diverse opinions are celebrated, unless of course you’re conservative, then you’re just closed-minded.
10. What social programs should be a priority to enhance or implement in the near future and why?
I would like to see Social Security reform in the future. President Bush has talked about this, but the idea never got any traction. I would like to see that idea brought back and some real changes made.
Answers provided by Aubrey Hill, Current president of the College Democrats at USU.
1. How many students on campus are members of the College Democrats?
There are about 390 students who have signed up in the past 3 years, however the active members number around 30.
2. How many nationwide students are members of the College Democrats? I don’t know. Apparently the nationwide organization doesn’t feel it necessary to divulge their membership statistics, sorry.
3. Why is it important that students be politically involved?
One reason is sheer practicality. We constitute a large proportion of the population and if we all voted on issues that are important specifically to students, we could have a major effect on local, state and national politics. Second, the only way that any government system, especially a democratic republic, works safely and effectively is if the citizens are informed and willing to participate in the process with the serious attitude required of the grave decisions that we are making both as individuals and as a nation. 4. What is the number one political issue facing Utah right now?
The number one political issue facing Utah right now is education reform.
5. What are your predictions for the 2008 elections?
We don’t even know for sure who all is running in ’08 it would be irresponsible and mere prattle to do more than observe that a lot of people are very angry at the incompetent way that the current administration has run the war, the economy, civil rights and the environment. So a drastic change is definitely on the way, but ’08 is a long way a way.
6. Should the United States pull out of Iraq? Why or why not?
The way it’s being handled now is disastrous for our relations in the world at large and most importantly, it is extremely harmful to the Iraqi people. We have created a huge mess, so to simply up and pull out would be to dump our mess on the shoulders of the world and the Iraqis. we should turn control over to some neutral world body and acknowledge that we have created a situation that can not be combated
7. Is the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide an inevitability in the future? Why or why not?
The institution is gaining more acceptance throughout the nation and that legal rights guaranteed with marriage create an atmosphere that would allow it to occur at some time in the future.
8. What is the biggest problem with media coverage today?
It would either be that approximately six different very rich individuals own most of the media outlets in the nation, or that media is owned by the private market as a major economic interest and is therefore run based on ratings as opposed to good and important news.
9. What are some of the misconceptions about the College Democrats? First of all, we are not out to undermine family values or to effect the destruction society. Second, contrary to popular propaganda, it is possible to be a “good Christian” and be a strong outspoken Democrat at the same time. Third, we are not inherently not patriotic. We don’t “hate America.” On the contrary, we believe in the rule of law and believe that it should be applied to all people, including the president.
10. What social programs should be a priority to enhance or implemnt in the near future and why?
Two of many issues of a social nature that desperately need addressing in the near future are national health care and reform of primary education. -etippetts@cc.usu.edu