Outside Colby Vol 3 Issue 3

7/31/2019 Outside Colby Vol 3 Issue 3

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Issue 3 Vol. 3 October 19, 2012

colby

IN SUPPORT OF

BOB DIAMOND

(pg 11)

OPPOSING VIEWS

ON ECONOMIC

POLICY (pg 6-7)

AN INSIDE LOOK AT

MAINES CANDIDATES

(pg 12-13, 15)

OUTSIDE


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DOMESTIC

4 Outside Colby

No population has a greater stake in

this election than American children.

After all, a democracy cannot func-

tion without a well-educated popu-

lace, and the fact is that the American

education system is failing. Kids in

the United Statesboth rural and

urbanare not keeping up with their world peers. Four years

vision of providing every child access to a complete andcompetitive education. Four years later, Obama has enacted

several policies that have spurred positive change in districts

across the country. Although the 2012 election debate has

largely focused on polarized issues such as the economy and

health care, voters should weigh each candidates stance

on education just as equally when they step into the voting

booth on November 6.

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dent Obama initiated the bold Race to the Top Program,

which drives states to pursue more rigorous standards and

better assessments, to create better data systems to more ac-

curately track student progress, to provide more support for

teachers and school leaders, and to increase resources and

interventions needed to turn around the nations lowest-per-

forming schools. So far, 46 states have submitted comprehen-

sive reform plans and 19 states have received a combined $4

billion to enact their new proposals. Race to the Top created

no new federal mandates; rather, states are allowed to submit

By partnering with states to raise standards, President Obama

has set American education on a progressive and successful

track.

When the 2008 economic crisis put thousands of teach-

ers jobs on the line, Obama stepped in to ensure that good

teachers were staying in the classroom. The American Recov-

ery Act of 2008 helped create or save 250,000 teachers jobs,

providing job security for one of Americas most important

workforces. If re-elected, Obama plans to add 100,000 new

teachers nationwide.

President Obama has enacted several other laws and initia-

tives that affect people of all ages and sectors of the educa-

tion system. From expanding and strengthening the Head

Start program, which provides comprehensive child develop-

ment services and early childhood education to nearly one

-

ing college more affordable by doubling investments in Pell

Grants, the President ensures that students of all ages will

receive the education that they deserve.

Obamas policies regarding higher education. The Pay asYou Earn program caps federal student loan repayments at

10 percent of income. This allows responsible students to

be able to make decisions about their future based on their

career goals, not the price of a college tuition. President

Obama successfully prevented student loan rates from dou-

bling for more than seven million students and has long-term

Obama has put a strong emphasis on the value of commu-

nity colleges by encouraging partnerships between them and

local businesses so that more workers can be trained for the

jobs that are available.

While Obama promotes availability, transparency, and op-

portunity in education, Mitt Romney has proposed just the

opposite. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney made deep

cuts to higher education. By the end of his term, college

costs had skyrocketed, with fees at state colleges and univer-

sities rising at a staggering 63 percent. Mitt Romneys plan

to cut middle-class investments could slash Pell Grants for

nearly 9.6 million students. His suggestion to students wor-

ried about paying for college? Shop around.

We cannot bend when it comes to our education and the

education of young Americans. President Obama has set

forth an ambitious and bold plan that has already had posi-

tive impacts. He promises to hold high standards for our

American education system and increase opportunities for

all in order to close the achievement gap, while Mitt Romney

wants to perpetuate the same policies that created the gap in

stand still.

By Cassady Roberts Chapter Leader of Students for Education Reform

OBAMA ON EDUCATION:

MOVING TOWARD A FUTURE OF HOPE


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DOMESTIC

A

quality education is central to build-

ing a stronger America. In order to

restore Americas education system

to its full potential and provide the

next generation of Americans with

the superior education they deserve,

we need to overhaul Obamas failed

efforts and institute meaningful reforms that will bring about

necessary change.Extravagant spending is not the answer to education re-

form. We cannot expect that excessive spending on inef-

fective programs and initiatives will bring about the change

needed to restore the American education system to its fullest

potential. Romney recognizes that money does not guaran-

tee quality and thus, the answer to high quality education is

giving states and parents more control over their childrens

education.

One important aspect of Romneys education platform is

to provide funding for individual students rather than indi-vidual schools. Instead of awarding underachieving schools

with additional funding, Romney has proposed to transform

Title 1 and IDEA funding, federal funding for low income and

special needs children, into a voucher system. Through this

system of consumer choice, children and their parents will

be able to choose the school they wish to attend and would

be able to take their funding with them. This strategy gives

students and parents better control over educational options

and gives states more individual jurisdiction over their feder-

al education funds. Ultimately, this system empowers parents

to take charge of their childrens education and allows for a

wider range of options when considering schools.

Furthermore, parents need to be well-informed about the

performance of their childrens schools. Without easily acces-

sible, straightforward, and comprehensive data that provides

reliable information on whether a school is serving its edu-

cational purposes, parents cannot make effective decisions

about their childrens education. Integral to Romneys pro-

posal to reform No Child Left Behind is the requirement that

schools provide parents with transparent information about

school results in the form of a school and district report card.

These report cards would illuminate overall student achieve-

ment levels in both state and national testing, thus giving

parents a clear understanding of how well a school is per-

forming. In contrast to Obamas plans to reform No Child Lef

Behind by including top-down instructions for interventions

for individual schools, Romney focuses on giving parentsand states control over education and increasing schools ac-

countability for its results.

Another key factor in improving Americas education sys-

must adopt a merit-based alternative that will reward hard-

working, successful teachers and will entice smart, talented

accountable for their work in the classroom and likewise

recognize their accomplishments when appropriate. A schoois only as effective as its teachers and Romneys focus on

rewarding teachers for their results rather than their tenure

ensures the presence of high-quality teachers in schools

throughout the country.

In looking at the broader implications of Romneys edu-

cational platform, we can see his emphasis on the power of

a free-market approach to education. Romney understands

that ultimately, consumer choice will be the answer to re-

storing Americas education system to superior standards. In

contrast to top-down demands for reform, innovation and

competition will ultimately bring about real change. With the

looming ahead of us, we can no longer afford to throw mon-

our nations schools. Romneys plan to use consumer choice

to empower states and parents will ultimately be the way in

which Americas schools will provide the necessary founda-

tion for American leadership.

By Claudia CamerinoDomestic Affairs Editor

CONSUMER COMPETITION AND THE FREE MARKET:

SOLUTIONS TO THE BROKEN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

October 19, 2012 5


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The Real Face of Change:

By Nick Rimsa Contributing Writer

Today we face a

truly unfortunate

economic situa-

tion. Last year, 1.5

million college

graduates under 25

were unemployedor underemployed.

our economy into the worst downturn

since the Great Depression. Thanks

in part to ignorant borrowers, schem-

deregulating politicians, unemployment

elected candidate will face an anemic

economic climate. Governor Mitt Rom-ney, however, is the better choice for

our country to move forward from this

economic malaise.

The president, of course, inherits the state of the econ-

omygood or badof the last president, and certainly is

susceptible to business cycles. In all fairness, President

Barack Obama inherited an economic mess. For four

years, however, we have endured a failure of economic

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nished. Obamas message of change has come and gone.

The labor forces participation rate stood at 63.5 percent

(and men experienced the lowest participation rate ever,

last month). National debt currently exceeds $16 trillion,

and President Obama has yet to offer any legitimate

naming Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate (for

the federal debt and cutting entitlement spending. Rom-

ney plans to cut taxes in every marginal bracket, while

-

his plan will come to fruition when he crosses party lines

superrich adeptly utilize), and putting our country on a

path to energy independence, Governor Romneys plan

will stimulate growth.

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DOMESTIC

6 Outside Colby

Romneys Economic Policy

Mitt Romneys experience leading Bain Capital may suggest that he is better

The Businessman,


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DOMESTIC

Its All About Arithmetic:

By Andrew Pepper-Anderson Staff Writer

T

he American people will

be given a choice be-

tween two very different

economic philosophies

in the upcoming elec-

tion. On the one hand

is Republican presidential candidate

Governor Mitt Romney, who believes

that minimal regulation and taxation

the economy. On the other is President

Barack Obama, who rejects the trickle-

down economics advocated for by the

Governor. The President believes the

government should promote and protect

a basic quality of life for everyone, evenif that means raising taxes on those who

can afford to help others in hard times.

These differences are apparent in the

two candidates plans and accomplish-

ments in the areas of taxation, regula-

tion, and job creation. These plans also

make it apparent that only one of these

approaches, President Obamas, is

feasible.

Should taxes be raised? When itcomes to taxation, President Obamas

signature proposal is the Buffett Rule,

named after billionaire Warren Buffett,

who currently pays a lower tax rate than

his secretary. President Obama believes

that people making over a million dol-

lars should not pay a lower tax rate than

those who make considerably less, and

therefore, would impose a minimum tax

rate of 30 percent on these top earners.

According toForbes

and the Joint Com-mittee on Taxation, this would increase

federal revenue by anywhere from $47

billion to $162 billion. Governor Rom-

ney, on the other hand, believes that

taxes should be cut by 20 percent across

the board, which would be paid for by

closing loopholes. However, accord-

ing to the Joint Committee on Taxation,

closing loopholes can only account

for four percent of this tax cut at most,

meaning the other 16 percent cut will

clearly dont add up.

On the issue of regulation, only one

presidential nominee will defend the

Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. This act, one

of President Obamas signature accom-

plishments, streamlines the regulatory

structure in the United States, making

it easier for regulators to do their jobs.

It also imposes new regulations onWall Street to ensure that the economic

collapse of 2008 cannot happen again.

Governor Romney believes that the

Dodd-Frank Act hurts businesses and

growth and he wants to repeal it. This

would leave the nation with the same

type of regulatory environment that

existed prior to the 2008 economic col-

lapse.

As for job creation, much of what

President Obama wants to accomplish

on this front was laid out in his pro-

posed American Jobs Act of 2011. Some

of the key aspects of this plan are tax

cuts for small businesses, investment in

schools and infrastructure, and incen-

October 19, 2012 7

Mathematics 101, continued page 20

President Obamas Comprehensive Plan

Key Aspects of Obamas Plan:

A) Tax cuts for small businesses

B) Investment in schoolsand infrastructure

C) Incentives for employers to

hire the long-term unemployed


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October 19, 2012 9

G

overnor Mitt Romney envisions

an achievable reform to American

energy policy that will reduce

high-energy costs to consumers

without harming the environ-

ment. His plan is to achieve North

American energy independence by 2020 through the follow-

ing measures.

Governor Romneys goal is to streamline our regulatory

framework, largely by shifting the responsibility of regulat-

ing our energy industry from the federal government to state

governments. State governments are more capable of assess-

ing the local impact of drilling and fracking on their lands

regulations than the lumbering behemoth that is our federal

government. The money saved from these increased regulato-

estimates of reserves. Current surveying technology doesnt

account for shale deposits (the rocks that are used in frack-

ing) because it hasnt been updated since the 1980s. Not

only will this devolvement of technology allow for a better

understanding of how much oil and natural gas the nation

has, but it will also allow for permits and leases to be issued

faster and with greater transparency. Romney also wants to

streamline the slow and cumbersome process of cross-borde

regulation, a reform that will help facilitate the faster con-

struction of projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline.

While fracking is an integral part of the Romney plan,

the real key to American energy independence is natural

gas. Due to the invention of a new type of drilling that al-

lows us to get small pockets of natural gas out of rocks that

are deep underground, the U.S. may now have the largest

natural gas reserves in the world. Natural gas is not only

much cheaper than oil, but it also produces far fewer carbon

emissions than gasoline when burned. While many critics

claim that fracking ruins water supplies and produces air

pollution (people often cite Josh Foxs movie Gasland), theevidence to prove this is thin. While radioactive wastewater

may once have been dumped in local water supplies, over

98 percent of it is now either treated or stored in deep under-

ground facilities. Current EPA regulations make companies

By Henson OrserStaff Writer

A REALISTIC PROPOSAL FOR

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

DOMESTIC

Romenys Path to Energy Independence, continued page 21

75 percent of marine sheriesare now overshed or shed tocapacity.

Behind China, the United Statesconsumes more energy than anyother nation.

Only a few hundred of the morethan 80,000 chemicals in usein the United States have beentested for safety.


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October 19,

MAINEMAINE

2 Outside Colby

A CLOSER LOOK AT MAINES CANDIDATES

What brought me into this race is simple: I work every day with families in the Central Maine area. Many

parents in these families worked in the past and lost their jobs in the recession. After losing their jobs, t

ed up on social programs they never wanted to be on, and were t reated as scapegoats by this past legis

Hard-working people lost their jobs and suddenly became people in poverty that we blamed for our problems. T

health insurance ran out; two of the people I worked with sadly passed away because they lacked health insurance

simple: no person should go without basic necessities in the richest country in the world.I was raised with simple, traditional values: love my neighbor, feed the hungry. Really basic stuff. I believe that w

we have a moral obligation to at least make life bearable. No one s hould go without food, shelter, or vital health ca

November 6.

It is an honor to represent my hometown and my alma mater in the Maine House of Representatives. My education

ships, and service while at college shaped me tremendously. I have enjoyed hearing from Colby students on state

about the environment, equality, and public health policy.

I am proud of the record I have built since being elected during my senior year at Colby in 2008: I authored a bipa

by as much as nine percent without public review. I have been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, Equa

Maine, and the Sierra Club. I am a Democrat, but I know that no party has a monopoly on good ideas.

climate change. Even if viable, I would not support drilling for oil off the Maine coast.

Now, voters face a choice. I have cast balanced, informed votes for equality, for the environment, and for the fam

tative.

By Colleen La

COLLEEN LACHOWICZ: DEMOCRAT FOR MAINES 25TH SENATE DIS

By Henry B

HENRY BECK: DEMOCRAT FOR THE 76TH HOUSE DIST

M

for in the national election this November, I hope you will keep an open mind when it comes to voting at the state

level. I am an independent-minded Maine Republican and my views can substantially differ from those of t he na-

Social Issues: While it is a ballot issue t o be decided by voters rather than your State Representative, I will tell you that

have the constitutional right of religious freedom to do so.-

ome, or own a small business, the rising costs of energy and food prices have hurt us all. I have gone door-to-door through-

ut Waterville and found people working longer hour

ecessities of life. This loss of discretionary income has hurt small businesses, most of which rely on discretionary consumer

form must also play a role in any economic recovery.

As a Maine Republican, my top priority will be to restore to the hard-working people of Maine the standards of living they

nce enjoyed. I hope that I have peaked your curiosity enough that you will feel free to contact me at andreforhouse76@

ahoo.com or (207)873-2069 with further questions.

y Mark Andre

MARK ANDRE: REPUBLICAN FOR MAINES 76TH HOUSE DISTRICT

am running for re-election to t he Maine Senate for you, and for others seeking the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career

Forbes analysis of best

aces to operate a business.

To address this, I have worked hard with like-minded Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to put Maine on a more

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Of great importance to your future is the actions we took to invest in educational opportunities. Unlike other states that

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on. Job creation and strong education and training systems go hand in hand.

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ms, and made it the mission of all state agencies to assist businesses seeking to add new employees. Our historic reforms

ill take time to be fully implemented, but I am pleased with the results so far. A summary of some of the notable actions we

ok on your behalf can be found at mainepromiseskept.com.

y Tom Martin

TOM MARTIN: REPUBLICAN FOR MAINES 25TH SENATE DISTRICT


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Maine voters face tough decisions this November

that will largely determine the course of Maines

future. Whoever is chosen to represent Maine and

in the Senate will certainly have a large impact statewide,

but also has enormous potential to upset the gridlock in

Washington. Three strong candidates have emerged, but only

one has the experience and leadership to challenge the status

quo in Washington D.C.: independent candidate Angus King.

As Governor of Maine, King spearheaded the Maine

Learning Technology Initiative, a program that gives Maine

students equal access to technology by providing laptops to

across the state of Maine, was economically marginalized

and many of my classmates did not have access to computers

ensures that all Maine students have the same opportunities.

Maine people. He is pro-choice, supports marriage equality,

and believes in fair and transparent elections. He supports

progressive environmental policies and has experience both

as Governor and in the private sector working with alterna-

tive energy. He supports efforts to reduce our impact on the

environment. As an independent, King has the power to

choose based on Maines values. I am certain that he will

work tirelessly to represent the Great State of Maine!

By Kaitlyn Bernard, Contributing Writer

ANGUS KING: INDEPENDENT FOR SENATE SEAT

Cynthia Dill is not only running her U.S. Senate cam-

paign based on the solid, concrete principles of social

justice, economic equality, and grassroots support,

but she is also running her campaign based on ideas and

convictions, which is something that Angus Kings campaign

lacks. Though it would be easy to target the vagueness of

Kings platform, it is his dearth of ideas that is truly startling.

For example, only after Dills campaign contacted Kings,

days after the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care

progress and an out-of-touch air that permeates his cam-

paign. On many issues, Dill and King share similar views.

With regards to implementation, I worry that King will spend

too much of his time forfeiting his values rather than present-

ing his own laws. King, like Dill, supports gay marriage, but,

as governor, King did nothing to support the LGBTQ commu

nity. Dill has worked tirelessly to promote LGBTQ equality,

drafting laws and voting with conscience.

student from a working-class Maine family, I am voting for

Cynthia Dill because her dedication and advocacy for bring-

ing the privilege of opportunity to all of Maines citizens is

something that I admire.

C

harlie Summers, Maines Secretary of State, is the

seat of Olympia Snowe. He served as Snowes in-state director from 1995 to 2004, helping Mainers navigate

through federal bureaucracy. Summers has promised to vote

for reigning in excessive federal spending, vote to repeal the

Affordable Care Act, and against more bailouts for compa-

nies. His platform is that of job creation; Summers has prom-

ised to support bills that will invest in small businesses and

create economic growth. Summers has also promised to not

raise taxes, signing Grover Norquists No-Tax Pledge.

As Secretary of State for the last few years, he knows in-

timately of the states economic troubles and more so than

either of his two rival candidates, Democrat Cynthia Dill

and Independent Angus King. He has had lifelong successin creating and running small businesses, as shown by his

time serving as the New England Regional Administrator of

the U.S. Small Business Association. Charlie Summers has

the experience needed to represent the hard-working people

of the State of Maine in the Senate, and the people of Maine

recognize that. Angus Kings lead in the polls from 25 per-

cent in June to just eight in September is still shrinking. Char-

lie Summers is the type of hard-working, smart leadership

Maine needs in Washington.

By Tom LeTourneau, Contributing Writer

CYNTHIA DILL: DEMOCRAT FOR SENATE SEAT

By Lucas Woodward, Contributing Writer

CHARLIE SUMMERS: REPUBLICAN FOR SENATE SEAT

14 Colby College

MAINE


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Politics Should Not Outweigh Policy:

By Alex Ojerholm Staff Writer

B

arack Obama promised many chang-

es. It is hard enough to keep track

of them all, never mind to properly

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dential campaign, Obama grandly

assured the American electorate that

leaves much room for interpretation, but three and

a half years later, it is safe so say that America and

its immigrants are still waiting.

The economy did warrant immediate attention

and Obamacare took a lot of time and effort, but

promises are promises, and so his lack of attention

is duly noted. However, this is not to say that President

In fact, he has an extremely checkered history when it

comes to the issue.After delighting pro-immigration groups with his 2008

campaign promises, Obama promptly tallied a record

he stands now, he has over 1.1 million deportations un-

der his belt (the most of any president since the 1950s).

Last year alone, the U.S. Immigration and Customs

Enforcement totaled 396,906 deportations, an agency

record. All this coming from the man who wanted illegal

immigrants to come out of the shadows and embrace the

American way of life. This from the man who was sorelydisappointed when his DREAM Act failed to become a

REAL Act. Hypocrisy much?

decided to reform immigration laws this past June.

Laughing in the face of the democratic processes that

denied him his DREAM Act, Obama simply passed the

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA)

through an executive order. His action is the political

people aged 30 and under who arrived in the United

States before age 16 and who pose no criminal or secu-

rity threat and were successful students or who served in

the military to get a two-year deferral from deportation,

during which time they can apply for work permits and

citizenship as well as obtain other legal documents. Its

a temporary measure set to expire in 2013, but it still got

the immigrant community extremely excited.

Politics and democracy aside, DACA could be a good

addition to Americas immigration policy repertoire.

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or military enlistee seems to suggest that these peoplewould become upstanding citizens.

But taking politics and American democratic processes

into account, DACA does not look so good. Put simply,

Obama put politics over leadership, and misused his

executive power to gain an edge in the election. He did

away with traditional representational due process to

INTERNATIONAL

16 Outside Colby

Obamas Problematic Passage of DACA

AFTER DELIGHTING PRO-

IMMIGRATION GROUPS WITH

HIS 2008 CAMPAIGN PROM-

ISES, OBAMA PROMPTLY TAL-

LIED A RECORD NUMBER OF

DEPORTATIONS WITHIN HIS

FIRST TERM OF OFFICE.

Problematic DACA Program, continuedpage 23


16/23

By Chloe GilroyStaff Writer

P

resident Barack Obamas current immigration

plan is the only viable option for this country. It

is a plan that is not based on fear and the deg-

radation of human life. The central difference

between Obamas and Governor Mitt Romneys

in how they will go about introducing reforms. Both candi-

dates support measures to give out more visas for high skilled

foreign workers, respect the importance of a strong border

security force equipped with advanced technology, and have

stood behind measures to crack down on illegal labor. But

what sets Obama apart from Romney is his belief that attri-

tion by enforcement is not the way to go about ensuring a

Obama, through prosecutorial discretion, has allowed for

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA mir-rors the DREAM Act very closely, and is meant to act as a

way to give students living in this country the opportunity to

pursue higher education. To qualify for deferred action, you

must have entered the U.S. before the age of 16, be under

the age of 31, have been in the U.S. continually since 2007,

have been present in the country on the day the proclama-

tion was made, and have no criminal record. If you qualify

for deferred action, you technically do not hold legal status,

you apply. At the same time, this would allow border patrol

and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the ability to

focus on higher priority cases. This would lessen the burden

that both of these enforcement agencies face, and would help

lessen the load that immigration courts bear, many of which

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ly stood in support of efforts, such as the DREAM Act, that let

young immigrants who are by and large not responsible for

their immigration status and who have been in the country for

most of their lives get a college degree and begin their path tocitizenship. These efforts will, in turn, allow ICE to focus on

only the most pressing immigration cases, and would free up

border patrol, enabling them to guard the natural land barri-

ers at the border through which most people cross.

In contrast, Mitt Romney stands in opposition to all mag-

nets that draw immigrants into the country illegally or en-

courage them to stay. According to a October

3 article, Romney has stated that if elected he would veto the

DREAM Act and would eliminate deferred action. In doing

so, he is purporting a system that would not only eliminateall efforts to give undocumented children who have continu-

ally resided in this country the opportunity to pursue higher

education without fear of deportation, but would also attemp

to make undocumented immigrants leave by their own voli-

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sible. It is this same enforcement by attrition policy that led to

October 19, 2012 17

An Appeal for Deferred

Action Over Self-Deportation

INTERNATIONAL

Immigrant Rights, continued page 23

The DREAM Act proposes to grant undocumentedresidents who are students in this country theopportunity to pursue higher education.


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O

n November 6, Americans will choose

between two candidates who will

most likely struggle to improve the

United States relations with the Mid-

dle East. The regions current volatility

will prevent most diplomatic progress,

further destabilization. President Barack Obamas Middle

East policies are better than Rebulican Candidate Mitt Rom-

neys policies on almost every issue due to Obamas relative

carefulness and reluctance to use force.

The escalating Syrian civil war between the brutal Assad

regime and an underfunded group of

rebels is one of the most pressing is-

sues in the Middle East. Daily cross-

border exchanges with Turkeyonce

pro-Assad, and currently a member of

NATOthreaten to transform the civilwar into a global crisis. Obama pledges

that he will not arm belligerents, while

Romney not only promises to aid the

rebels, but also says he will employ

zone. Romneys interventionist approach in Syria will result

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Mitt Romney voices strong support for Israel, saying that

he will place no daylight between the United States and

the Jewish state, criticizing Obama for supposedly not sup-porting the country. Obama retained President George W.

Bushs $3 billion per year in aid to Israel, and approved an

missile defense system. Yet, conservatives continue to assert

that the President is no friend of Israel. President Obama

has consistently supported a two-state solution to resolve the

around the ideological spectrum. His platform includes a

two-state solution, but at a private donor event this summer

he said theres just no way that the Palestinians will ever

agree to peace with Israel. Romney also attests that Israeli

settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, which are

obvious roadblocks to peace, should be discussed in private.

President Obama has referred to these settlements as illegitimate.

The Islamic Republic of Irans ongoing nuclear program

was one of most discussed issues at the United Nations

Romney campaign continues to claim that President Obama

is not tough enough on Iran. Yet, there is no need for a more

direct approach on Iran because the harsh sanctions the

United States and the European Union have placed on Iran

are working: the Iranian rial lost forty percent of its value

against the dollar in October. President Mahmoud Ahma-

dinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei con-tinue to deny that the sanctions are affecting Iranian popular

opinion, but recent protests in Tehran suggest otherwise.

The idealistic directness of Romneys Middle East policies

in foreign affairs. He assumes that arming Syrian rebels will

By Ben Carlin Staff Writer

October 19, 2012 19

INTERNATIONAL

Obama, Romney, and the Middle East:

Why Obama trumps Romney, but neither

candidate is likely to succeed in the volatile region

Middle East Policy Overview, continued page 22

THE IDEALISTIC DIRECTNESS OF

ROMNEYS MIDDLE EAST POLICIES

REFLECTS THE ONE-TERM

GOVERNORS SEVERE LACK OF

EXPERIENCE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS.


19/23

THE BUSINESSMAN: ROMNEY UNDERSTANDS THE

TOOLS NECESSARY FOR BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED

considering that half of small businesses

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will allow for businesses to become

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(Continued from page 6)

NEWS

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that most of these jobs were low wage

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leads the nation in those without health

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MATHEMATICS 101: WHY ROMNEYSNUMBERS JUST DONT ADD UP(Continued from page 7)

20 Outside Colby


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NEWS

October 19, 2012 21

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OBAMAS CLEAN ENERGY AGENDA:Green Jobs, Alternative Energy Sources Future of Our Country(Continued from page 8)

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income is f

the facts the c

ROMNEYS PATH TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE:

Unshackling Our Domestic Energy Sources(Continued from page 9)


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NEWS

October 19, 2012 22

not entangle America in a lengthy war and subsequent peace-

keeping duties. He claims that he will be more successful than

President Obama in the pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian peace, but

does not even have faith in his own proposed two-state solu-

tion. Finally, he wrongly asserts that Obama is easy on Iran, and

vaguely argues for a more direct approach, despite the Obama

administrations success in hampering the Iranian economy.

Obamas Middle East policies are more favorable than Rom-

neys, but the Presidents record is far from perfect. Following

the Arab Spring, President Obamas administration misjudged

the strength of American relations and interests in the Arab

world. For instance, Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi was

slow to condemn the recent terrorist attacks on American em-

bassies and consulates throughout the Arab world, suggesting

that a democratic Egypt is not the ally that Obama assumed it

-

ment in Israeli-Palestinian relations, but Iran, while suffering,

continues to seek nuclear arms. The Middle East is currently in

such a precarious political state that neither candidates policies

are likely to have profoundly positive results, but at least Obama

treats the region with some prudence.

MIDDLE EAST POLICY OVERVIEW:

The Presidents record is far from perfect.(Continued from page 19)

them surpasses Americas commitment to protect our greatest

ally in the region. Obamas policies show that his allegiance

he should be careful to maintain a realist understanding of the

support for Israeli policy.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney has arguably focused his

Israel agenda on the latter rather than the former. During his

summer trip to Israel, he basked in a round of applause from his

rightwing audience after calling Jerusalem the capital of Israel

and agreeing to consider moving the American Embassy from

Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Such a move would question American

credibility to negotiate the peace process, as both Israel and

Palestine claim Jerusalem as their capitals. Pragmatically, being

a better friend to Israel in Romneys terms could compromise

rather than protect Israeli security. While Obamas support of

the UN veto in February is questionable, his framework for

beginning negotiations at the pre-1967 borders demonstrates

a necessary ability to consider multidimensional, geo-politicsfrom both Israeli and Palestinian paradigms in a way that works

toward Israeli security, even if it questions Israeli policy.

AN ALLY TO ISRAEL:The Presidents allegiance to


health insurance if the ACA were to be repealed, but as previ-

ously stated, the study the President referred to projected its

numbers over ten years.Governor Romney blames the President for doubling the

Governor Romney. This claim is simply false. Governor Rom-

June, four months before President Obama was even elected,

descent this country went through in the same year. Accord-

slightly reduced during President Obamas term.

DEBUNKING THE DEBATE:A Collection of Misrepresentations(Continued from page 3)


22/23

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS: ROMNEYS VISION IS

TO MAKE IMMIGRANTS LIVES UNBEARABLE

Arizonas attempt to pass a bill that

made principals check the immigration

status of all their students and that al-

their discretion to pull over anyone and

ask for their citizenship papers. This is

an immoral and unethical policy, which

relies upon the diminishment of the

human condition instead of substantialstructural reform within the immigration

system itself.

This countrys recourse to reforming

the immigration system should not be

in punishing undocumented immigrants

who seek to escape economic and po-

litical hardship in their own countries,

that is overburdened and ill-equipped.

The county needs to focus on prevent-

ing high-risk persons from entering the

-co to eliminate drug related violence at

the border, which propels many to enter

Romney has shown that his vision for

immigration reform does not include

these two things. He seeks to make

the plight of the immigrant in America

even harder while building more walls

Seemingly all his efforts aim at prevent-

States without making any new com-

prehensive reforms that would propel

the immigration system forward.

October 19, 2012 23


NEWS

pass a policy and disrupted the three-

tiered balance of power. And not to

some noble end, but for his own better-

Latinos represent the fastest-growing

ethnic group in the United States, mak-

ing them a crucial voting bloc in the

2012 election. Over 1.4 million people

may be affected by DACA, with manyof the students living in states pivotal to

Obamas re-election, according to Pew

Hispanic Center research. Right now,

Obama is leading Romney 2 to 1 with

Latino votes, making it clear that DACA

did what Obama needed it to do.

When it comes to political policy,

Romney and Obama are alike in that

they agree changes are needed but

are vague in specifying the timing and

nature of these changes. And so I would

argue that the most compelling pointof differentiating the candidates based

on immigration policy would be to

look at DACA, not for its content, but

-

ous precedent. He essentially baited

of becoming citizens (remember, DACA

only guarantees no deportation for two

years), using his power of incumbency

to impose a program that would win

him votes. America does not need a

president who can get himself elected.America needs a president who can act

on behalf of the nation, for the better-

ment of the nation: Mitt Romney.

DACA PROGRAM: OBAMA SETS A

DANGEROUS PRECEDENT(Continued from page 16)


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