Spring Break
Democrats and GOPs face off
Justin Denton and Deborah Arellano
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: Opinion
Justin Denton
President, College Democrats
There really are only a few days left until the all important Election Day; until we voters are handed the responsibility to make the choices that will define the direction our nation takes. We have been given choices between two distinct ideologies that share little in terms of common ground. During the past eight years our country has been lead by a Republican administration that has refused to compromise with those that disagree with it. Enjoying six years of a Republican Congress, our current president has implemented policies that have lead our country into a record federal deficit, economic meltdown, failed response to Hurricane Katrina, and an unpopular and wasteful war in Iraq. There's a reason Barack Obama is so easily able to claim to be the candidate of change: It's because Obama actually wants to take the country in a different direction. Unlike John McCain, Obama believes that affordable health care is a basic human right. Unlike McCain, Obama believes that the middle and lower class need tax cuts more than the wealthy. Unlike McCain, Obama picked a vice presidential candidate who could actually run the country should it become necessary. Somehow the Republican Party is trying to convince voters that its party is the best option when it comes to cleaning up the mess that their party made. It's a tough sell.
As important as the presidential election is, voters should also remember to look down the ballot at the statewide initiatives. While there are a number of propositions on the ballot, two of them are particularly significant. If it passes, Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to get married in the state of California. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in California, yet Prop. 8 would amend the state's Constitution in order to ban it. Whatever your personal or religious views are surrounding the definition of marriage, this has now become a civil rights issue. Prop. 8 would legally place people into two classes in a country where we are all supposed to be created equal. Opponents have made outlandish claims that gay marriage is being taught in schools, and that churches would be forced to marry same-sex couples. What they don't mention is that same-sex marriage is currently legal, and it has no effect on churches or education. Churches are private organizations that can choose to define marriage however they wish; what we are talking about is the civil definition of marriage. Concerning education, same-sex marriage has no effect on what is taught in schools. This is just another unsubstantiated claim by supporters of a discriminatory law that, if it passes, would be an embarrassment for the state of California.
Another important one is Prop. 4. If passed, Prop. 4 would prevent pregnant minors from seeking abortions without notifying their parents first. On paper, this sounds reasonable; what parents wouldn't want to know if their child is having an abortion? However, this issue is about minors who can't talk to their parents or are in abusive relationships. Everyone had friends in high school that couldn't go to their parents for help with the problems in their lives, and these are the people that Prop. 4 puts at risk. To circumvent this new law, pregnant teenagers would be asked to file a criminal claim with a judge regarding their parents. To ask them to do that is simply ridiculous.
We urge everyone to show up on Election Day and make themselves heard. Sacramento State has had an impressively successful voter registration effort this semester, and it's time for all of the new voters to speak up and take the first step to a brighter future.
Deborah Arellano
Vice President, College Republicans
The College Republicans at Sacramento State have been working with local campaigns, contributing around the state and McCain's national campaign during this election season. As a club, members have had numerous speakers and candidates come to speak about their campaigns in the surrounding areas. Officially, the College Republicans have endorsed Steve Detrick, a Republican, running against an incumbent for a city council position in Elk Grove. Other campaigns that club members have been involved with include: Boling, Sieglock, Lungren, Aghizarian, Andal, McClintock, Detrick, and Strickland. The official position of the California College Republicans regarding propositions is to endorse the propositions recommend by the California Republican Party CRP. However, it should be noted that not all of our club members support every proposition recommended by the CRP. This cycle, the CRP recommends votes of "yes" on Propositions 4, 6, 8, 9, and 12.
Besides the work our members have done with local campaigns, we have also been working closely with McCain's Victory '08 campaign. The work we have done on the McCain campaign has included phone banking, precinct walking, handing out fliers, rallies, etc. At the Sacramento Victory '08 Headquarters, we have had debate-watching parties, registering new citizens to vote, opportunities to meet Jon Voigt. an actor in An American Carol, and also Meghan McCain. Debbie Arellano, our vice president and also the Northern California political director for Students for McCain, has coordinated efforts with other Northern California schools to help get out the vote for McCain. Along with coordinating phone banking efforts and precinct walking, she has also helped to bring Sac State students to San Francisco State University to help with a rally for McCain and volunteer at a Sarah Palin fundraiser in Burlingame.
This coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday, the California College Republicans chose a campaign in Northern California to focus our efforts on, this elections season we will be focusing on the Abram Wilson campaign, for Assembly District 15. This is considered to be one of the most competitive races in California because if the Democrats take this seat plus two others in the state, then they will have veto proof majority in the state's Assembly. Northern Californian College Republicans will be heading to Walnut Creek to participate in phone banking and precinct walking, trying to make the last Get Out the Vote effort before the election.
Reflecting on the participation of the Sacramento State College Republicans since the June primaries, it is safe to say that we have made a difference. Working at the grass roots level of politics is never the easiest, but extremely rewarding. Whether we may not always agree on policies or issues, there are some candidates that really stand out to our group and make us want to get out and volunteer. The Republican network is strong and organized, something that our party prides themselves in. We hope that our efforts are enough this election and we wish the best of luck to John McCain and the rest of the Republican candidates across our country.
President, College Democrats
There really are only a few days left until the all important Election Day; until we voters are handed the responsibility to make the choices that will define the direction our nation takes. We have been given choices between two distinct ideologies that share little in terms of common ground. During the past eight years our country has been lead by a Republican administration that has refused to compromise with those that disagree with it. Enjoying six years of a Republican Congress, our current president has implemented policies that have lead our country into a record federal deficit, economic meltdown, failed response to Hurricane Katrina, and an unpopular and wasteful war in Iraq. There's a reason Barack Obama is so easily able to claim to be the candidate of change: It's because Obama actually wants to take the country in a different direction. Unlike John McCain, Obama believes that affordable health care is a basic human right. Unlike McCain, Obama believes that the middle and lower class need tax cuts more than the wealthy. Unlike McCain, Obama picked a vice presidential candidate who could actually run the country should it become necessary. Somehow the Republican Party is trying to convince voters that its party is the best option when it comes to cleaning up the mess that their party made. It's a tough sell.
As important as the presidential election is, voters should also remember to look down the ballot at the statewide initiatives. While there are a number of propositions on the ballot, two of them are particularly significant. If it passes, Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to get married in the state of California. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in California, yet Prop. 8 would amend the state's Constitution in order to ban it. Whatever your personal or religious views are surrounding the definition of marriage, this has now become a civil rights issue. Prop. 8 would legally place people into two classes in a country where we are all supposed to be created equal. Opponents have made outlandish claims that gay marriage is being taught in schools, and that churches would be forced to marry same-sex couples. What they don't mention is that same-sex marriage is currently legal, and it has no effect on churches or education. Churches are private organizations that can choose to define marriage however they wish; what we are talking about is the civil definition of marriage. Concerning education, same-sex marriage has no effect on what is taught in schools. This is just another unsubstantiated claim by supporters of a discriminatory law that, if it passes, would be an embarrassment for the state of California.
Another important one is Prop. 4. If passed, Prop. 4 would prevent pregnant minors from seeking abortions without notifying their parents first. On paper, this sounds reasonable; what parents wouldn't want to know if their child is having an abortion? However, this issue is about minors who can't talk to their parents or are in abusive relationships. Everyone had friends in high school that couldn't go to their parents for help with the problems in their lives, and these are the people that Prop. 4 puts at risk. To circumvent this new law, pregnant teenagers would be asked to file a criminal claim with a judge regarding their parents. To ask them to do that is simply ridiculous.
We urge everyone to show up on Election Day and make themselves heard. Sacramento State has had an impressively successful voter registration effort this semester, and it's time for all of the new voters to speak up and take the first step to a brighter future.
Deborah Arellano
Vice President, College Republicans
The College Republicans at Sacramento State have been working with local campaigns, contributing around the state and McCain's national campaign during this election season. As a club, members have had numerous speakers and candidates come to speak about their campaigns in the surrounding areas. Officially, the College Republicans have endorsed Steve Detrick, a Republican, running against an incumbent for a city council position in Elk Grove. Other campaigns that club members have been involved with include: Boling, Sieglock, Lungren, Aghizarian, Andal, McClintock, Detrick, and Strickland. The official position of the California College Republicans regarding propositions is to endorse the propositions recommend by the California Republican Party CRP. However, it should be noted that not all of our club members support every proposition recommended by the CRP. This cycle, the CRP recommends votes of "yes" on Propositions 4, 6, 8, 9, and 12.
Besides the work our members have done with local campaigns, we have also been working closely with McCain's Victory '08 campaign. The work we have done on the McCain campaign has included phone banking, precinct walking, handing out fliers, rallies, etc. At the Sacramento Victory '08 Headquarters, we have had debate-watching parties, registering new citizens to vote, opportunities to meet Jon Voigt. an actor in An American Carol, and also Meghan McCain. Debbie Arellano, our vice president and also the Northern California political director for Students for McCain, has coordinated efforts with other Northern California schools to help get out the vote for McCain. Along with coordinating phone banking efforts and precinct walking, she has also helped to bring Sac State students to San Francisco State University to help with a rally for McCain and volunteer at a Sarah Palin fundraiser in Burlingame.
This coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday, the California College Republicans chose a campaign in Northern California to focus our efforts on, this elections season we will be focusing on the Abram Wilson campaign, for Assembly District 15. This is considered to be one of the most competitive races in California because if the Democrats take this seat plus two others in the state, then they will have veto proof majority in the state's Assembly. Northern Californian College Republicans will be heading to Walnut Creek to participate in phone banking and precinct walking, trying to make the last Get Out the Vote effort before the election.
Reflecting on the participation of the Sacramento State College Republicans since the June primaries, it is safe to say that we have made a difference. Working at the grass roots level of politics is never the easiest, but extremely rewarding. Whether we may not always agree on policies or issues, there are some candidates that really stand out to our group and make us want to get out and volunteer. The Republican network is strong and organized, something that our party prides themselves in. We hope that our efforts are enough this election and we wish the best of luck to John McCain and the rest of the Republican candidates across our country.
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