Election Issues and Local Opinions

By Thomas White Jr.

Amid a seesawing stock market, convenient gas price plunges, and the same-sex marriage back in the public eye, our state and nation is voting on one of the most important presidential elections in recent decades. Fringe set out to hear what its readers think about the candidates and state propositions at hand.

Scott Lamonti, a Sacramento State political science major, gives his insightful vision when asked what he thinks of the candidates and their running mates: “If you ask me, I think Sarah Palin is the biggest insult I have ever seen to women. The Republican party has such little respect for women that they think by putting a Barbie doll up, every man and woman will automatically vote for her. Not a lawyer, not a human rights activist, but a hot sports reporter to lure in the men, while getting the default vote from the women.” Hot words from a heated standpoint, but others seem to look at the McCain campaign from a slightly less objective point of view.

Brandon Schems, a local law student from Orangevale, shows his main concern with the Republican presidential campaign having no options left but to play the typical fear card. “The campaign is simply mongering tactics of poetically smearing Obama with this whole ‘Who is Barack Obama?’ nonsense, and chain e-mail blasts slandering Obama as a terrorist. Even if the right-wingers aren’t behind those e-mails, anyone who believes in that bollocks, and repeats it shouldn’t even be allowed to vote. It’s absurd.”

Pointing out the recent decline in gas prices, Andrew Thomas, senior at UC Davis, said “I think it’s ridiculous to see the obvious connection between the soaring gas prices this summer, and recent plunge — just in time — to take everyone’s mind off of the issue while we vote for a new president. You know that most of the oil companies are backing and funding certain candidates. So, they drop the prices to make it seem like a non-issue. Give it two years, no, a year, and the prices will be at an all-time high again.”

While Proposition 8 seems to be the hottest issue out of all the propositions this fall, locals were asked what they believe about eliminating the right of same-sex couples to marry. “I think it’s a joke to see our state government play this ping pong game on the topic of same-sex marriage. Once a decision is made they should just leave the topic alone already. I mean, we live in California; most of the nation is moving out here to get away from the constraints of the small town lifestyle, and find a little slice of the freedom our founding fathers searched for. Why not just pass the prop and let it rest?” states Sacramento City College student Evan Longoria.

Proposition 4 seems to cause the most points for debate among those polled. The proposition prohibits the right of an abortion for minors until 48 hours after a physician notifies the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or alternative adult family member. Some readers who wish to remain anonymous voted for the proposal while citing their own personal experiences with abortion. “I had an abortion when I as 17, and never told my parents. They still don’t know, and although I was terrified of telling them, I feel like I made a mistake. If they would’ve known I’m sure things would be a lot different today.”

Stephanie Rimkin, 25, from Stockton, commented, “You can’t force family members to communicate, and if the pregnant girl is under 18, there’s a good chance she’s going to be terrified with the situation. If this proposal is passed, and the physician is forced to the girls’ parents, who knows where she’ll turn for answers. She could end up consulting the Internet for alternate ways to have the abortion.”

While it seems most local college-age students seem to be fairly set upon who they favor in the polls, one can’t forget there’s an entire nation of voters out there. Regardless of who you voted for, one thing is certain. If you didn’t vote, don’t complain.