One Final Appeal for Your Vote
Written by Amanda Weber and Maggie Kenney
Photos by Ella Pederson
As Election Day approaches, the United States faces a choice that will shape our nation’s future. That being said, voters should come to the polls informed and invested. To help ERHS voters entering the voting booth tomorrow, the Ridge Review offered three politically active students an opportunity to make one final appeal for their chosen candidate.
One of the students the Ridge Review spoke with was Kevin Bi, a staunch supporter of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. According to Bi, Clinton’s years of experience demonstrate a competency that Trump lacks, and which is incredibly important in a presidential candidate. Furthermore, Bi claims that Clinton has the benefit of a sensibility and rationality that her opponent lacks. On a more political note, Clinton’s presidency will also lead to more liberal Supreme Court judges, which—according to Bi—the government desperately needs.
In contrast, Emma Stille stands behind the other major party candidate, Donald Trump. She explains that “with all the outlandish statements and media nonsense aside, the policies Donald Trump is proposing are far more beneficial to the country as a whole.” Stille also spoke to the polarization of the United States in this election and how this issue has caused the media to focus intensely on the weaknesses of each candidate. Outweighing his lack of his experience, Stille points to the passion that he has for improving the country in its entirety. Stille hopes to leave voters with this final question: “To those who feel that voting for Hillary would be the lesser of two evils, I ask you, in what world is a serial hypocrite who endangers the lives of Americans better than someone who has simply made a few missteps in the heat of the moment?”
Finally, because of the increase in interest surrounding Independent candidates in this election cycle, the Ridge Review turned to senior Matt Horan, a proponent of the Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson. Horan begins by explaining the concept of the Libertarian party: “socially liberal and economically conservative… [supporting] freedom of choice in all aspects of life.” He emphasizes that Johnson and his running mate, Governor William Weld, aim to strengthen the economy by staying out of the way of businesses. Horan proceeds by acknowledging the common misconception that an Independent vote is a wasted vote. He particularly emphasizes that votes for the party in 2016 will result in major party funding for future elections. He ends with this slogan: “Live Free and Vote for Libertarian Gary Johnson.”
With these views in mind, go to the polls with confidence to express your political opinion. Vote November 8th to help the United States choose the next generation of leaders.
