Tiger Weekly - Serving Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Sgt. Peppers Band Live at The Varsity

If you are a fan of The Beatles (like most of the world's population) ...

Tiger Weekly Print

October 29th, 2008 Archives

Complete Interview with Michael Jackson

US Congressional Candidate Jackson on the Issues
I think the Democratic party in Louisiana has grown increasingly conservative and has lost its meaning and principles. In my opinion,...
2 Comments + Add Yours

THE ECONOMY

The questions for Americans are, what have we learned from the past month? and how can we prevent it from happening again?

We have learned that government has a role to play in our financial markets. We must have government oversight. We must regulate! The following are five examples policy initiatives that will help to stabilize our financial markets:

1. Fannie Mae/ Freddie MAC; Serve as an arm of the government

2. Glass- Steagall Act- kept Investment and Commercial Banks separate

3. Repeal Gramm-Leach Bliley Act

4. FDIC Insurance up to 250,000 offer more protection to American people

5. Regulate financial markets can stop mispricing assets

2. HIGHER EDUCATION

It is vitally important to make a higher education affordable. Whether it is community college a fouryear institution or obtaining a graduate or advanced degree.

1. Increase Pell Grant Award

Twenty years ago a Pell grant covered up to 60% of the cost of attending college. Now it only covers one third of the cost. The award should be increased to a level commensurate with the rising cost of higher education.

2. Streamline the Student Loan process

The student loan process can be simplified by requesting by getting the loan information via a tax return, rather than the present bureaucracy that is laborious and time consuming.

THE ENERGY CRISIS

We can't drill our way out of our oil addiction. So drilling won't solve the problem. What we can do is to begin transitioning to alternative energy and renewable fuels.

Wind, solar, natural gas, hydrogen, and clean coal are all options that we should explore. Renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel can aid the transition from foreign oil dependency. The American people can help also by conserving energy, building green homes and buildings and requiring that our appliances conserve energy. Drill baby drill? I say No baby no.

THE WAR IN IRAQ

I am the only candidate in this race to clearly state that we should end the war in Iraq. My position on how we end it is in line with the position outlined by the Iraq Study Commission. In the fall of 2006 the Commission called for the withdrawal of military troops accept for essential protective forces within an eighteen-month time frame. In addition to withdrawal of troops, the commission recommended that the United States engage in a new round of diplomatic negotiation in the middle east and that those negotiations should include Iran and Syria.

GUN CONTROL

We have two traditions regarding guns. We have law abiding gun owners who have guns for protection of their families and sportsmanship. We also have a tradition where handguns are. This tradition contributes to the loss of lives and violence in our streets. Lately we have seen it spill over into our educational institutions. The second amendment exists for the first tradition. However if a community decides that it would prefer to limit access to handguns by offering more through background checks or even if it decides that it is in that community's best interest to take guns off the streets, I would support that community's decision to do so.

ABORTION

Most Americans recognize that this an extremely difficult decision for women and their families. And I trust women to make the decision. I trust that if they have to make the decision they make it in consultation with their clergy, family, and physician. The ultimate question is whether they have the right to make the decision, and I believe they do. For those who may disagree, we should look for areas where we can agree. Like finding ways to prevent teen pregnancy, increasing and making adoption more preferable, and finding ways to prevent women for getting into these circumstances.

SAME SEX MARRIAGE

I strongly believe that government should treat people equally. Therefore I support civil unions. Further, I believe that states have the right to make their own decisions as to whether or not to recognize same sex couples.

Originally Published: October 29, 2008

↑ Back to the top
 
Comments

  1. MY COMMENTS

    Once more, the issue of separate but equal has been raised. The term is another misguided concept that is anything but equal. To paraphrase, the author contends that he strongly believes the government treats everyone equally, and therefore, he supports civil unions. I ask that he explain to me how civil unions are equal to marriage. The words differ greatly, and when used in conversation, each word denotes a different concept, anything but equality. The word marriage conveys traditional, acceptable, God-approved love between a man and woman. The other sounds like and conveys a contract signed in the presence of an attorney and notary; a clear distinction of two entirely different ideas.

    The word, separate (different), and the word, equal (the same), are incongruous by definition. Supporting equality that requires alternative wording the rights of others is an undeniable ignorance of the meaning of equality.

    People requiring a separate class is un-American, at least that is what I was taught. It lies in history books your children read and has even been used as a reason for founding our country. While our founding fathers did include ‘equality’ in writing the Declaration of Independence, they did not mean ‘equal’ in our current understanding of the word. The original text of our Constitution did not provide equality for many; African-American’s and women included. The equal rights of most people have been corrected through Constitutional Amendments.

    ‘Separate but equal’ has been used throughout American history to justify a class of people remaining above another. African-Americans were given the ‘separate but equal’ treatment after they were provided ‘equality’ as well. They were provided drinking fountains that were separate from whites, but still, many fooled themselves into believing this separation was still equality. Many white people didn’t care that separate bathrooms, drinking fountains, etc. made an obvious distinction that African-American’s were not equal to them in our society. Does this not seem ridiculous today?

    The ‘equality’ once provided to African-Americans is now being offered to gays. Our separate drinking fountains and bathrooms are words of inequality, instead of physical objects of inequality. A country with both marriage and civil unions will forever keep gays and lesbians in a separate class from others for all time; down and out. Should we accept this token of giving, it will only help provide the ignorant and stupid, who do not believe or understand equality, the feeling of compassion and giving they so desperately desire. Unfortunately, people are either equal or not; no gray area exists.

    The ‘civil unions’ we are offered are akin to the rich throwing a $5 dollar bill at the homeless in order to feel as if they have provided a fair share to the down and out. I will continue the fight and never settle for second-class citizenship. ‘Separate but equal’ has never worked; not in the past, not now, nor in the future.

    We live in a country that provides the right to speak our minds. Instead of offering the hypocrisy of your equality, please speak your truth; whatever it may be. Why, there are even gays that don’t want same-sex marriage. There are people that believe we should eradicate marriage all together. I believe that if we continue an open dialogue, speak and share the truth of equality, and fight the good fight, in the end, we might all share the world together, as equals.

    B. Alexander | 2008-10-30 - 05:13:57 PM (CDT)

  2. I think the Democratic party in Louisiana has grown increasingly conservative and has lost its meaning and principles. In my opinion, Democratic candidate Don Cazayoux is hardly a Democrat in the traditional sense of the word. Michael Jackson, who has recently left the Democratic party to become an Independent, has seen this transformation occur in his former party and is reacting against it in the best interest of Louisiana without sacrificing his beliefs.

    Vote Obama. Vote Jackson. Nov. 4, 2008.

    LA Democrat | 2008-10-31 - 02:17:02 PM (CDT)
Your Thoughts,
Name: (required)
To protect everyone from terrible spam, please enter the following code: (required)
captcha
* Offensive comments will be deleted!
Our Print Edition Visit the Blogs Party Pix, LSU Sports, and Concerts Our current promotions Our current contest Campus Area drink calendar The One Event not to miss