Debate airs party views on healthcare, environment

The first of two political party debates Wednesday drew about 50 people to the Indiana Memorial Union's State Room West. Sponsored by Golden Key National Honor Society, organizers said it provided something the presidential debates did not.\nThird parties.\nRepresentatives from College Republicans, College Democrats, College Libertarians and IU Greens participated in the debate, which focused on healthcare and the environment. The debate allowed student leaders to explain the stands of the national political parties.\nThe next debate, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the IMU's State Room East, will focus on taxes and the war on drugs.\n"I just want people to be educated before voting," said senior Carrie Friedrich, Golden Key president.\nDebating only two issues allows the discussion to be more in depth, Friedrich said, and distinguishes differences between the parties.\n"I was impressed with the contrast in issues as opposed to the national debates," freshman Ryan Watson, a Republican, said.\n Most of the crowd seemed to have their minds made up about which party they supported.\n But some said they were open to new ideas, while staying loyal to their party.\n "I became more informed on issues of other parties, but also became more firmly supportive of the Democratic party," junior Kathleen Krueger said.\nOrganizers said some in the crowd were undecided.\n"People who came here wanted answers to the questions," said sophomore April Gonzales, vice president of College Democrats.\nBut even people who already connect themselves with a party had something to gain. \n"Even if you've decided, you can still change your mind," said junior Andrea Becker, treasurer of IU Greens. "That's the beauty of it not being Nov. 7."\nDEMOCRATS\nGonzales represented the Democrats. She said they are the "proactive" party, considering solutions before problems get out of hand. Democrats are the party of "people not politics," she said.\nOn healthcare, she said the bottom line is to "help people" with a government healthcare system. She said healthcare is unaffordable to most people.\nOn the environment, she said the party favors continued regulation of private companies, while taking steps to improve the environment. For young people, she said Democrats would save Social Security and offer a tax incentives for college tuition.\nGREENS\nSenior Rob Larson represented the Green Party. He said corporations have too much power in government and argued that most Americans want another choice besides Republicans and Democrats. He said third parties are being kept out by the main parties, which are funded by big corporations.\nOn healthcare, Larson said Greens favor universal, government-run healthcare. He said the system in Canada is a good model. He said someone has to control healthcare; the question is "will it be insurance companies with a profit motive or the government with the responsibility to the people?" Larson said the Greens choose the latter.\nOn the environment, he said, "I hope you all have some idea where my party stands on this issue." He said the government should be held responsible for protecting the environment.\nREPUBLICANS\nSophomore Josh Claybourn represented the Republican Party. He said the Republicans are the party of limited government, which trusts the people to control their own money. A sizeable portion of the surplus would go to a tax cut for everyone, he said. The rest of the surplus would cover Social Security and other social issues.\nOn healthcare, Claybourn said the free-market lowers costs in healthcare. He said Republicans propose tax-breaks for people in need of healthcare, as opposed to government-run healthcare.\nOn the environment, Claybourn dismissed the myth that Republicans don't care. He said, "People who pollute should pay for it." He said environmental groups are billion dollar corporations, which use scare tactics to make the problems look worse than they are. Besides, he said, government pollutes more land than anyone else; believing government can protect the land is "ridiculous."\nLIBERTARIANS\nJ.W. Hawley represented the Libertarian Party. He asked the audience if they wanted to be free. Telling the crowd that government regulates everything from the size of your crib to the size of your casket, he argued there are two choices: the other parties with social planners, giving individuals a "formula to live," or the Libertarians, with very limited government.\nOn healthcare, he said doctors, not politicians, are suited to make healthcare decisions and that nothing will keep prices down if the government gets involved.\nOn the environment, he said the government is the worst at taking care of their own land, so individuals and corporations, hurt by polluting their own land, should be left alone.\nOrganizers said they were surprised and pleased with the turnout. They encouraged students to come to the next debate to become more informed as voters.\n"I think there is a need for students to make an educational choice of who to vote for," said Dietrich Willke, Golden Key NHS vice president. "You should be able to vote your conscience instead of following a trend"