Friday, March 29, 2024

SN endorses:

Voters should rally behind Gore for next U.S. president

Vice President Al Gore is the right choice for America’s future.

Voters should elect him Nov. 7.

Gore, a Democrat, has the political education necessary to be an effective leader. He spent 16 years as a congressman and senator before being selected as President Bill Clinton’s running mate.

Gore has continually been a strong advocate for the environment without compromising jobs. Gore is a candidate who will work to save our nation’s natural treasures and ensure generations a clean country to live in.

He promises to extend the solvency of social security by placing it in a lockbox that will prevent legislators from raiding the funds for any other purpose. He will oppose privatization efforts and attempts to raise the retirement age.

Ralph Nader may offer innovative ideas, but voters should not vote for the Green Party candidate. Michigan’s 18 electoral votes could determine who wins the election. Voting for Nader in Michigan - where polls show Gore and Bush deadlocked - could take votes away from Gore and put Bush in the White House. Ensuring Nader federal matching funds is not worth four years of a Bush administration.

Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush has a record of compromising the environment for financial payoffs. Texas has the worst air quality of any state.

Gore supports a woman’s right to have an abortion. Up to four Supreme Court justices could retire during the next president’s term, and if pro-life justices are appointed, Roe v. Wade is more likely to be overturned under a Bush administration, denying women the right to a safe, legal abortion.

The president elected must support this crucial right and appoint justices who will uphold the Roe v. Wade decision. Even if Roe v. Wade isn’t overturned, Bush will take his pro-life philosophy into his presidency and is likely to support legislation that chips away at abortion rights.

Gore’s plan for the federal budget surplus will benefit America in the long run. Bush’s plan for an across-the-board tax cut does not take advantage of the opportunity government has to give back to the people. Gore’s plan to use money for social programs such as Medicare and Social Security and a tax cut for the middle class is a sound investment that will pay off in the future.

He also has supported campaign finance reform, stating that the first legislation he will sign if elected is the McCain-Feingold bill to ban soft money. The legislation is the first step in reforming how Washington works. Bush, however, has not been a supporter of the bill and did not accept Gore’s challenge to ban soft money from his own campaign.

Bush’s tax plan and positions on the issues are not the only reasons voters should reject him. Bush does not have the experience necessary to be president. Bush’s only real political experience, besides looking over the shoulder of his father, is as governor of Texas, which does not give him a grasp on the problems facing the entire nation. In addition, his knowledge of foreign policy is not substantial enough for Bush to make decisions that will affect the world.

Gore will keep the country heading in the right direction and will fight for the everyday person. He deserves voters’ support.

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