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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Cast your vote wisely

    Larshell Green's Headshot

    I have never paid much attention to politics before unless it was for an assignment, but my ears have definitely perked up this election season. I’d like to easily yell every time someone asks me why I want to vote for Hillary Clinton, “Because she’s not Trump,” but that would be very ignorant of me. 

    There are very solid reasons for my intention to vote for Clinton, as I’m sure you have solid reasons for voting for whomever you chose. I honestly never thought that Trump would make it this far in the election. In the words of Wendy Williams, “This is a joke that has gone too far.” The future of this country is in disarray and that is no laughing matter.

    I’m no political expert and have not sufficiently researched Clinton or Trump’s platforms or the other candidates because I’m a busy college student. I happen to agree with Clinton’s stance on a number of issues, but I will only discuss her stances on gun violence, immigration and education.

    Gun violence is currently a major issue. I agree with Clinton in the aspect that citizens do not need assault weapons in a civilian life. Criminal background checks and loopholes, like buying guns online and at gun shows, should be controlled more. 

    Education should constantly evolve and our president should evolve with it and evoke changes. Clinton plans to modernize teaching, elevate the level at which students learn, adjust the level of student disciplinary action and improve the physical condition of schools. 

    As far as immigration, Clinton promotes naturalization, affordable healthcare to immigrants and an end to the three and 10-year bars. According to an article entitled “Bar None: An Evaluation of the 3/10 Year Bar” by Jessica Vaughan, those considered as “illegal aliens” who remain illegal for six to twelve months are prohibited from staying in the U.S. for three years. Those who remain illegal for more than a year are barred for 10 years.

    Trump believes that citizens should have their Second Amendment rights, assault weapons or not, but he makes some very valid points about fixing the mental health system to prevent other shootings from happening. He also focuses on the financial elements of improving the education system, stating that reprioritizing $20 million of tax dollars can be put towards choosing a personal school and the attempt to reduce the cost of college and student debt. Trump wants to limit the amount that taxpayers spend on the current immigration policy, build a wall on the Southern border, inflict harsher treatments on those caught illegally entering the United States and generalizes a lot of immigrants as criminals. 

    Just because I agree with Clinton more on these issues does not mean that she is free from flaw. Clinton has of course made what the general public views as mistakes: taking Bill Clinton back after he publicly cheated on her with Monica Lewinsky, the email scandal and her role in the Benghazi attacks. No one is perfect, not even politicians. They are judged a hundred times more than us because of their job titles. Her husband’s affair happened over 10 years ago and the fact that people are focusing on her husband’s past indiscretions is just proof that many members of this society are considering the wrong things when voting. 

    Although I’m not a Trump supporter I found some valid points in some of his many arguments. I still find it absolutely ridiculous that someone who has never served in a political office and is instead a successful businessman could possibly win this election. The constant outbursts and outright racist statements are shameful. How is he going to properly control himself in social and political situations with leaders and citizens? No, I’m not oblivious to the fact that Clinton could very well be a racist and could only be using certain methods to attract a diverse group of voters. It would be foolish for a politician to not use such methods.

    As I said before, the future of this country is at stake. This is not a time for violence, hatred or separation because of your political party affiliation or otherwise. No candidate that is running for office will be perfect morally or civically. I just happen to agree with some, but not all of the  principles and decisions that Clinton has stated, regardless of me being a Democrat. When casting your vote in the upcoming election, consider who will run the country in a way that benefits as many people as possible regardless of race, class or gender. 

     
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