Kerry challenges Bush, setting tone for upcoming general election

Monica Salvo / Reporter

It’s become quite clear now that John Kerry is, in fact, the man made for the Democratic Party. From here on out he’s not only campaigning to win over the rest of the delegates for the primaries, but also working to convince the nation it’s his turn to take on the presidency.

So what changes would Kerry make if he was elected over George W. Bush in November? According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, during Bush’s term, 3.2 million jobs have been lost, contributing to the highest unemployment rate in more than nine years.

As for the economy, it’s the worst it’s been in the United States since the Great Depression.

John Kerry has said his goal is to restore all the jobs lost during the past four years in his first two years in office, should he be elected. The economy was strongly impacted by the Sept.11, 2001 attacks, leaving Bush to face an uphill battle.

“It takes a while for things like the economy to show improvement, even when effective changes have been made,” said freshman Amanda Phillips.

Environmental issues are also at the forefront of the political race. Bush’s presidency campaign in 2000 pledged to reduce global warming emissions in the environment.

Not with out his own environmental policies, Kerry wrote the Global Climate Change Act, which seeks to speed up addressing the global climate change.

The issue of minimum wage is also up for debate. Bush has expressed no interest in raising the minimum wage, whereas Kerry has said he isn’t opposed to considering it. The idea of a “living wage” instead of the minimum wage is also being debated.

The logical argument behind it all is that a person cannot earn a living off a full time minimum-wage job. Changing the rate to a living wage would up a minimum wage employee’s salary so that they could logistically earn a standard living.

“I don’t think anyone would be able to raise the minimum wage to a point that someone could live off it. I think it would be great if we could though,” freshman Sarah Crockett said.

The majority of college students are of voting age. It’s the responsibility of the students to learn the facts and side with a candidate that addresses the issues.