By: William Nolan
2016 was an election year, and this election was full of more hot button issues and controversy than most elections in our lifetime.
To aid the next generation of voters here at Western make informed decisions at this years polls, the Speech and Debate Club put on their own presidential debate.
Now while neither Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton were present the debate something much more important was, their platforms. Two of the Speech and Debate Club’s members took on the platform’s and argued for their candidate.
“It is a good thing for students that are not interested in politics because if they have no interest, then they will do no research nor will they watch any of the debates on TV in their free time. By doing the debate, the students have the opportunity to still get educated on political policies while receiving necessary class credit.” Freshman attendee of the debate Matthew Corkins said.
This debate was a great way for students who aren’t the most political to get the bare essentials of what they needed to know before stepping into a voting booth. These political debates, focused on the students of Western, also help combat the spirit of apathy when it comes to voting by showing students they can make a difference.
Having the debate stripped from all the drama that surrounds this election can also give students information about the candidates beliefs that may not be evident by just looking at the media coverage.
“I think the students were interested by what the representatives had to say. In my psychology class we talked about how there were a lot of things that students didn’t know about each candidate that they learned because the debate.” Freshman Bradley Riley said.
Another useful thing that you could do at the debate was register to vote. This service was especially useful to new voters who may not know how to register to vote, or if they are registered or not.
“I was not registered to vote and had no clue that I wasn’t, which stopped me from voting in the primaries.” Junior Cody Alders said. “Now I’m registered to vote which is good because this election is so important.”
So whoever wins this election, it’s important to know that you have a voice and can help shape the future of this nation. Even to someone that wouldn’t consider themselves political it’s important as this will directly affect our daily lives. We as college students should make it our duty to know what’s going on with these decisions as much of the policy will directly affect our lives.
