If you weren't going to bother voting in this presidential election, let me change your mind by appealing to your self-interest. Here are six reasons to get out of bed Nov. 2, find something like an ID, utility bill or lease that proves your residence and head to your polling place. If you're not sure where that is, check . Even if you haven't yet registered to vote, you can do so the day of the election. So without further ado, your motivation to vote:
The election will affect your tuition because the candidates have very different ideas about how to fund college. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry promises a tax credit of up to $4,000 for every student, as well as an increase in federal funding to states for higher education. President Bush plans to increase the amount of Pell Grants, which are provided to poor students. In his first term, Bush has increased these grants from $3,300 to $4,050, but not to $5,100 as he promised in the 2000 campaign.
In recent weeks, rumors have run rampant that a vote for Bush is a vote to reinstitute the draft. As young people of military age, this is of obvious concern to us, but it's unlikely Bush would introduce a draft in the immediate future. Neither candidate wants a draft. Even if they did, reinstating the draft isn't politically feasible. Further, Kerry promises to end the back-door draft of the National Guard, a move that will resonate with many student soldiers. In order to do so, he will welcome other nations into Iraq, contrasting Bush's recent rejection of Muslim peacekeepers.
Since health care is tied to full-time employment in this country, many students lack health insurance of their own. Only some are fortunate enough to be included on their parents' policies. Even for those who are covered, the cost of private health insurance has risen 36 percent since Bush took office, dramatically outstripping inflation.
This is another area where the candidates differ notably. Bush proposes medical savings accounts, in which individuals set aside some of their wages in separate accounts that are paired with high-deductible, low-premium insurance. Then, when a ainy day"" comes and they must pay for medical expenses, their saved money is used to pay that high deductible. Individuals would receive up to $300 for these accounts.
Kerry supports giving all Americans private health insurance. He proposes a tax credit for small businesses offering insurance, and allowing individuals to buy into the Congressional Health Plan if they want.
We all know that the economy has been ailing for four years and is only now beginning to regain some lost ground. As we leave college and look for work, we want to vote for the candidate who can create jobs for us. Bush's plan doesn't create jobs directly but instead focuses on education so a better trained workforce can compete for higher-wage jobs. Unfortunately, this fails to help those who are already highly educated. It's not as if getting every American an engineering degree will cause more engineering jobs to appear.
Kerry's plan would reward businesses that create jobs with a tax credit. He disagrees with Bush's plan only in that he would raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Though this will help, it cannot completely prevent the movement of American jobs abroad.
Though you want to find a job, get health care and reduce student loans, you don't want to pay high taxes to do it. Bush's record on taxes is clear: he has passed enormous tax cuts. Kerry's record is also clear: he's in favor of most of these cuts and wants to eliminate the marriage penalty. He has consistently held this position despite fierce disagreement with the other candidates in the Democratic primary until now. He would alter Bush's plan only to tax the rich. So unless you expect to make earn more than $200,000 per year, taxes won't make much difference to you in casting your vote.
If you don't want to vote out of civic pride, then vote for the sex. Go to and take the pledge to have election-night sex with another voter. Hit the polls Nov. 2, go to a VoterGasm party that night and get some bipartisan loving. Then spend four years being proud that you live in a country where people will pledge not to have sex with you if you don't vote. God bless America.
opinion@dailycardinal.com.
