SRU students debate election
SLIPPERY ROCK — The way Dane Patricelli sees it, almost everyone should participate in politics and vote.
“I'd like to see everyone have an opinion,” said Patricelli of Butler. “That's what it's all about.”
Patricelli was one of the 12 Slippery Rock University students who participated in “The Next Great Presidential Debate” Tuesday at SRU.
Students from SRU's Young Democrats argued in favor of President Barack Obama, and a group of Republican students argued in favor of challenger Mitt Romney. Students from SRU's Young Americans for Liberty chapter, including Patricelli, did not endorse any candidate, but argued for libertarian political views.
About 150 students attended the debate, which was hosted by Pi Sigma Alpha, SRU's political science honorary, a week before the general election.
However, the students who participated in the debate do not see political savvy or activism as common among their fellow students.
Josh Weitzel, 21, of Prospect, a junior political science major who participated with the Young Americans for Liberty, said that most of the students on campus are too apathetic or too busy to get involved with politics.
“I think it's a real shame because it affects their daily lives,” Weitzel said.
As an example, he said that he would like to see SRU's Student Government Association take more of a free-market approach to its budget, allowing the entire student body to work on it and vote on it rather than just SGA representatives.
Jon Green, 18, of Butler, a freshman, was a driving force in getting the Republican team together. He said he has heard of a lot of people being tired of politics, but he thinks that can change.
“I believe Mitt Romney will bring that change,” Green said.Aristotle Vincent Piso, 21, of Cranberry Township, a sophomore public relations and creative writing major who debated with the Democrats, said he is a “lifelong Democrat” who is interested in public speaking, which made him want to participate.He said that there should be more political activism on college campuses since new laws and legislation will have a great impact on younger people.“We're the people who are going to be affected by the legislation that is passed now,” Piso said.The participants were asked six questions, which they received in advance. A surprise seventh question, on the role of the government in the future, also was asked.Emily Buck of Kempton, Berks County, from the libertarian team, described the question as “easy,” saying that the federal government's role should be limited and it should not tell people how to live.“The only purpose of the government is to prevent injustice,” Buck said.Justin D'Antonio of Butler, with the Republican team, said that the federal government has been increasing in size over the past several years, which is not something that most citizens want.“The people want to go back to the system that our founding fathers created,” D'Antonio said.Piso said the government has to make sure that citizens are not being taken advantage of by foreign or domestic enemies, that there are no social injustices and to keep up with educational programs, among other roles.“To ensure that the American way of life can continue,” Piso said about the role of government.Students also answered a question about U.S. foreign policy.Piso noted that Romney, during a presidential debate, said that Russia is the U.S.'s biggest enemy.“This shows a complete lack of knowledge of foreign policy,” Piso said.D'Antonio said Romney said that Russia is the U.S.'s biggest geopolitical foe. He said the biggest global threat is a nuclear Iran.“A nuclear Iran is unacceptable,” D'Antonio said.Chris Penco of Allison Park, from the libertarian team, said that the foreign policy of Obama and of former President George W. Bush has been a “complete disaster.” He said that actions that both presidents have taken overseas have increased the government's debt and, in some cases, have been unconstitutional.“It's beyond my comprehension how anyone can support it still,” Penco said.Other subjects touched included the government's debt and deficit.Green said that Romney would lower taxes while creating a larger tax base, which would help create jobs.“The government doesn't create jobs ... the government creates an environment for jobs to be created,” Green said.Keith Crandall of Pittsburgh, from the Democratic team, said that Bush cut taxes in 2001 and 2003, which cost 7.7 million jobs. On the other hand, he said Obama's policies have made some progress to create more jobs.“It's not much better, but it's getting better,” Crandall said.Patricelli said that Bush's 2008 Wall Street and auto industry bailouts, and Obama's auto industry bailout and stimulus package, added to the government's debt, something he does not want to see continued.“Why throw more gasoline on a house that is already burning?” Patricelli asked.SRU President Cheryl Norton, who moderated the debate, said she hopes that the students who attended learned something. She encouraged them to put their knowledge to use and vote.“You can make a difference, but only if you show up and vote,” Norton said.
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