When we began studying the 2016 presidential campaigns back in September, not a single one of us could have anticipated this crazy atmosphere. Outrageous claims and scandals are reported daily. These candidates are all making a name for themselves, but is it a good name? How are we expected to sort the truth from the crazy?
Take Donald Trump, for example. As foreign relations become a more relevant issue in today’s society, Trump has barely detailed a viable plan for foreign policy. He only assures us that he will find the right people. Witnessed in his countless quotes and interviews, Trump shows the world he would launch the United States into war before using diplomacy when dealing with terrorists. This is even more concerning in the wake of the recent attacks in Brussels. There is no way Trump, with all his actions over the last six months, would represent us best as a diplomat. He spends the Republican debates berating his fellow candidates and tells the public what they want to hear, contrary to what it seems his true intentions are.
His competition, Ted Cruz, is perhaps even more radical. I met Ted Cruz at Lindy’s Diner in Keene back in January. His plans to overhaul our government and abolish the IRS shocked me. Here I had been thinking Trump was radical and along comes Cruz. Both remaining Republican candidates seem ready to fly off the handle at a moment’s notice and rush into action, without first weighing the consequences this could bring to our nation.
As the nation entered this election season, I entered my senior civics class with intentions of staying open to all of the candidates, but I already had the suspicion I would lean more towards the Democratic candidates than the Republicans. That being said, I didn’t know much about Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders at this time. Watching debate, Sanders began to sway me while Clinton acted superior to the other candidates, often going back and forth on her answers to the moderator’s questions. Her choices and policies seem questionable and, although I respect the vast experience of her past, I don’t believe Clinton has the public’s trust to help her be successful as president.
Sanders, on the other hand, is fighting big business. He preaches about banks and corporate welfare and making public college education free for everyone. These promises are certainly tempting to young adults, like me, who are currently staring up the steep slope of impending college expenses. But, at the same time, I’m a realist. I attended Sanders’ rally at Franklin Pierce University. While I know Sanders cannot accomplish everything, I believe he can get things done. Sanders won’t be able to make public college education free, but he may be able to lower the cost.
Bernie Sanders has a vision and out of all of the candidates, it’s one I could believe in.
Lindsey Coolidge, 18, of Rindge, attends Conant High School.