Wednesday, October 29, 2008
United States Senate
The election between incumbent Pat Roberts and challenger Jim Slattery features two choices: the continuation of old policies that are unjust, irresponsible and that have ultimately failed the American people or change that relates to what our generation seeks.
The choice is clear: Jim Slattery.
Roberts is the symbol of an outdated mentality that has failed to sufficiently address civil rights problems. His record since being elected to the Senate in 1997 is extremely conservative. He is radically anti-gay marriage and anti-abortion rights. Roberts has shown complete disregard for our civil liberties by endorsing government wiretapping and deplorably refusing to prevent torture and the suspension of habeas corpus of detainees.
Roberts sided with the Bush administration on the mishandled war and the fight against terrorism, and he has refused to acknowledge any mistakes by taking a strictly partisan stand.
Finally, he has failed to develop an economic policy that is responsible toward the majority of the population. He is a strong supporter of the Bush tax cuts. If the past years have shown anything, it’s that trickle-down economics has increased the gap between the rich and the poor.
Slattery is not radically different than Roberts ideologically, but he offers a moderate shift to positions that are more consistent with what America needs.
He is in favor of a responsible withdrawal from Iraq — an occupation that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
It is also refreshing to see Slattery propose a move toward universal healthcare coverage, a view that has increasingly become more popular as the plight of uninsured Americans is revealed. He also advocates a just and responsible economic policy that would benefit the middle and lower classes.
By virtue of being a college town, Lawrence provides some insight to the political changes that may come as a new generation steps into the civic arena.
Roberts may still have a stronghold in Kansas because of his cultural conservatism. But, by looking at Lawrence, we can see that those positions have the potential of becoming less popular, because our generation has, for the most part, supported women’s and gay rights.
Roberts’ past decisions have tainted his record, and he clings to old mistakes without acknowledging that change is necessary. Slattery provides us the opportunity to construct a better society that is closer to what we as college students and the future of the country, hope it to be.
— — Patrick De Oliveira for the editorial board
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Comments
Editorial: Slattery supports students’ interests
So, by your own admission Slattery isn't much different. But, he just happens to have a D next to his name, so we should blindly support him...
I'm no fan of Roberts, but at least he has a lot of Seniority in the Senate, which benefits small states like Kansas.
Editorial: Slattery supports students’ interests
Slattery doesn't really impress me as a candidate. I might leave that slot blank- even though Slattery's campaign made a really funny commercial with Pat Roberts peeing on people. It was funny until you see that it's a gas pump.
Editorial: Slattery supports students’ interests
Pat Roberts is tolerable. He's conservative, but he's not part of the religous-right. Brownback is the Senator that makes me uneasy.
Plus, Slattery is hardly any change. He has been a Washington insider and lobbyist for decades.
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