President Bush versus John Kerry - What Are the Issues?

By Linda Bong

Published October 22, 2004

"A lifesize cutout of President George W. Bush lying on the ground outside of Turlington Hall."

The U.S. presidential election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004. The two main candidates, President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry, are doing their best to present their points to gain votes. Economy and jobs, national security, homeland security, education, health care, energy and environment, and civil rights are among the issues the two candidates talk about most frequently in their campaigns.

Different groups feel differently when determining which issues are more important in deciding for whom they are going to vote. Many U.S. college students believe that national issues are more important than international issues. University of Florida students, in particular, think that national issues, not local issues, are more important because many UF students don't live in the area. UF students emphasize issues like economy and jobs, national politics, national security, and social issues such as environment as the most significant issues in this year's election.

Economy and Jobs

John Kerry promises to strengthen the economy by creating 10 million new jobs. Kerry also promises to support the middle class by cutting taxes for 98 percent of Americans, raising the minimum wage to $7 an hour, rolling back tax cuts for the wealthy and increasing the Child Care Tax Credit.

Jill Greco, 19, UF College Democrat secretary, says that she will vote for Kerry because Kerry will fight for middle class people, not upper class people. “I'm working for John Kerry because the current administration has done nothing but increase the difference between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' in this country,” says Rex Auburn, a UF college student.

President Bush, on the other hand, will provide $500 million for jobs, raise wages and create seven million new, affordable homes in 10 years. Christian W. Waugh, 22, Gators for Bush executive director, says that Bush's economic policy is contingent upon his governing philosophy. According to Waugh, Bush's policies are less government involvement in economy, less taxes and less spending, while the democrats are for more government spending and more taxes.

Homeland Security

Launching and leading a new era of alliances and modernizing the world's most powerful military to meet new threats are among John Kerry's national security policies. Kerry believes that the “war on terror” cannot be won by military might alone.

Greco says that Bush must be ashamed of starting an unnecessary war. “This is all about business, huge business. I don't know what we're doing over there,” says UF student Archie G. Stolar II.

President Bush justified his decision of the war in Iraq by stating that fifty million people have been liberated from totalitarian regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, adding that the terrorist camps in Afghanistan have been destroyed.

UF students believe that international terrorism has changed the way they look at national security. They think it's impossible to defend the U.S. completely against international terror networks without sacrificing the freedoms that make America great.

“The only effective alternative is to play offense, go after the terrorists where they reside and kill them before they have the chance to kill us,” says Hunter Williams, 19, UF College Republicans chair.

Education

Education is one of the most important issues in the upcoming presidential election. John Kerry promises a world class education for all Americans and a great teacher in every classroom. Kerry also offers after-school opportunities through a program called “School's Open 'Till Six."

Greco believes that Kerry has a strong plan to pay for education, but she thinks that the federal government shouldn't be involved in education.

President Bush believes that education is the key to opportunity and America's best tool in an increasingly competitive global economy. President Bush also agrees that every child deserves a world-class education. Although Waugh is a republican, he does not like Bush's education spending raise. He would prefer that President Bush lower spending on education.

Healthcare

John Kerry believes that affordable, high-quality health care will keep American families healthy, American businesses competitive, and the country strong. To make this come true, Kerry promises to cut health care premiums by up to $1,000 per year, cover all Americans with quality health care, and cut the cost of prescription drugs.

President Bush implies the same thing, adding that he will establish new, tax-free Health Savings Accounts (HSA) which allow Americans to own and control their own health care.

UF students think that in the past four years, health insurance and education fees have gotten higher.

Gay Marriage

President Bush has made a constant effort banning gay marriage and adoption. On the other hand, John Kerry believes that same-sex couples should be granted equal rights with heterosexual couples.

Many UF students oppose President Bush's consistent effort to ban gay marriage. They believe that the reason Bush has raised the issue is to gain more votes from right- wing people. “It's ridiculous. It takes the tensions away from the important issues,” Greco says.

Fahrenheit 9/11

Michael Moore's controversial movie, “Fahrenheit 9/11," sparks lively comments from UF students. UF College Democrats think that the movie has some interesting facts, even though some of the facts are distorted. They think that the movie came out too early. UF College Democrats believe that the movie will have more effect on young people, and could change the minds of the swing voters-although not republicans, though.

“I have not seen it, although I would like to as long as none of my money was going to Michael Moore, who has sadly profited from the invasion of Iraq,” says UF College Republicans chair Williams.

So, Who Will It Be?

UF College Republicans will obviously vote for President Bush. They agree with Bush's optimistic vision that America is a great country with a positive purpose in the world. Most importantly, they agree with Bush's faith in Americans that they can make decisions better than their government can.

UF College Democrats also will support their candidate, John Kerry. They believe Kerry is a strong leader who wants to make the country better, fight for the average people, and make progress in America.

Both sides strongly believe that their candidate will win the election. We have to wait until Nov. 2 to find out who is right.

Linda Bong can be reached at lbong@aall.ufl.edu