Delineating the 2000 candidate platforms
Greg Kelly
College Republicans
Prosperity, growth and opportunity have characterized the last eight years in our nation. These successes are attributed to no one party, but rather they are the result of bipartisan cooperation and interest in the American people. Yet there is nothing the Republican congress could do to ameliorate the damage done to the legacy of the White House by the Clinton/Gore administration.
Unlike Al Gore, who hopes to ride the current economy into the White House, Governor George W. Bush plans to take a proactive role in continuing to improve the lives of each and every American, leaving no one behind and dragging no one down.
Many of our public schools are inadequate and do not give students the life skills necessary to enter the workforce or pursue a college education. Governor Bush's plan aims to narrow the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their peers. He hopes to do this by ensuring that every disadvantaged child can read by the third grade, extending grants and funding for underprivileged students to pursue science and technology and not giving failing schools taxpayer funds.
Parents will have the option to send their children to another school system if they are in an area with a poor school. Governor Bush believes that no matter how much money is given to a school, unless it is properly used, the level of achievement will not increase.
The federal government does not know enough about local school systems to make decisions on spending and how to improve education. Therefore local communities should control their own school systems, while having to meet national rigorous standards to ensure that all students are given the same opportunities.
Federal taxes are the highest they have ever been in peacetime. The popular perception is that Republicans only want to lower taxes for the wealthy. The truth is that Governor Bush wants to lower the marginal rates, which are highest for the lower income brackets.
Under Governor Bush's plan, a single mother making $22,000 would pay no income taxes at all. This is just one example of eliminating the tollbooth on the road to the middle class. Governor Bush also calls for the total elimination of the death tax, which plagues farmers attempting to pass family farms to the next generation. No one should have to visit the cemetery and the IRS on the same day.
Social Security is a pivotal issue in this election and to young Americans it should be of utmost importance. Unless properly reformed there will be no Social Security in the future. Electing Governor Bush will ensure that Social Security will be alive and well for years to come.
Social Security must be run on the same principals of a private business, which includes cost cutting, smart investing and maximizing profit. Governor Bush believes that privatizing social security will ensure its success by holding someone accountable, while at the same time reinvesting in American business.
The choice we make in November will impact our schools, our economy and our future. It is imperative that our nation decides to continue moving forward and leave no one behind. Republican George W. Bush is poised and prepared to continue the success the nation has seen, while restoring integrity to the White House.
Greg Kelly is the president of the College Republicans. Political Face-Off will appear every Thursday until the election.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Viewpoint Stories for Thursday, September 7, 2000
