Fraternity sponsors political debate
May 2, 2008
Mizzou College Republicans Vice President Marcus Bowen and Young Democrats of Missouri College Federation President Rick Puig address political topics including foreign policy and education during a forum Tuesday at Wolpers residence hall. Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity sponsored the debate as part of Kappa Week.
Because it is still primary season, most political debate has been between members of the same party.
But on Tuesday evening at Wolpers Hall, members of student political organizations were given a chance to argue the platforms of their respective parties.
The debate, which was presented by the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity as part of Kappa Week, matched Mizzou College Republicans vice president Marcus Bowen against Rick Puig, president of the Young Democrats of Missouri College Federation.
Early in the debate, Bowen and Puig were given questions from a moderator regarding taxation and the economy, which — according to CNN voter issue polls — are the top concerns among voters.
Bowen said the U.S. is heading for recession, and said he supported President George Bush’s economic stimulus package passed earlier this year.
“I think the best thing to do to end a recession is get out there and spend money,” Bowen said. “America is about spending and saving and pushing the economy forward.”
Puig said the Bush stimulus package is akin to “shock theory,” and that most Democratic lawmakers would agree the stimulus plan wasn’t enough.
He also said many Democratic lawmakers would agree to a return to New Deal-style programs that saw high rates of employment by the federal government for public works projects.
“We have got an incredible infrastructure problem in this country,” Puig said. “We’ve got failing roads, failing bridges. We’re facing serious issues in this country. There’s a lot of work to be done in this country.”
The debaters found more points of contention later in the forum, when they were asked their views about school vouchers.
Bowen said allowing families of public school students to take tax vouchers that would allow them to go to the school of their choice was a “great idea,” and also said students should not have to attend “failing” school districts — namely those in inner-city Kansas City and St. Louis.
“Why should they have to pay high taxes for a low education?” Bowen said.
Puig said he did not support school vouchers because they prompted public school students to “flee” their districts.
“We’re left with a series of schools that no longer work,” Puig said.
The debaters diverged further in their viewpoints when discussing health care and affirmative action.
Bowen said he did not support a health care plan paid for by taxpayers’ money.
Puig said there should be increased access to affordable health care in the U.S., and said health care proposals presented by the Democratic presidential candidates were “world class.”
“There is no excuse for us not having the same health care system that has worked in Europe,” Puig said. “It has worked in Canada, and we can make it work better here.”
When discussing affirmative action, Bowen said he did not support it, and said it constitutes racism.
Puig said affirmative action is a “corrective policy” that gives U.S. citizens the opportunity to identify “entrenched segments in this society.”
The debaters were then asked questions by those who attended, which turned into further debate on the Iraq war and American foreign policy.
The debate, which was only scheduled to be an hour long, lasted more than two hours.
After the debate was over and most of the audience had dispersed from Wolpers Hall, Bowen and Puig continued to argue politics.
Senior Erica Wright, who asked the debaters about their views on fighting poverty during the debate, said she didn’t care which party was handling the issue, so long as it was getting solved.
“If it’s the Republicans that will take care of these issues, fine,” Wright said. “If it’s the Democrats, fine. It’s a problem that needs to be addressed.”
Kappa Alpha Psi president Kernef Jackson said he thought the debate went well, and said the fraternity would try to hold another one next semester.
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