In this presidential election, we face a choice between American democracy as we have known it — with the hope of moving forward to more equality of opportunity (represented by President Obama) — and plutocracy: government by the most wealthy individuals and corporations (represented by Mitt Romney). Ohio is the most crucial swing state in this election: It is the state with the highest relative likelihood that an individual voter would determine the Electoral College winner (http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/). With so much at stake, we all must make sure to vote.
Everyone can vote early on Monday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 6, voting hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. A voter in line by 7:30 p.m. has the right to vote. In order to vote, you must provide your full name, your current address, and proof of your identity. To find out about ID requirements and where to vote, check online (www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/Voters.aspx) or go to the Athens County Board of Elections at 15 S. Court St.
The Republican Party platform calls for an end to the federal direct student loan program. The Obama administration saved money by cutting subsidies for banks, and used that money to fund direct federal student loans and grants (www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/03/24/). The Republican Party platform essentially calls for returning to the days when banks charged students “hefty interest rates completely risk-free as a very expensive middleman” (www.rebuildthedream.com/blog/2012/09/05/).
Federal Student Aid programs are the largest source of financial aid for college. Direct federal student loans are low-interest and allow 10-25 years for repayment. Federal Pell grants are need-based. More than 1 million students would lose Pell grants entirely over the next 10 years under the budget plan for fiscal year 2013 passed by the House, which was proposed by Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan, chair of the House Budget Committee (www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/).
Education is crucial for economic opportunity. In the USA, someone who has a post-secondary degree can expect to earn 79 percent more than a person with an upper-secondary education (Education At A Glance, OECD c. 2011, p. 3). While Obama and the Democrats have been working to expand access to higher education, the Republicans have been working to make rich people and corporations more wealthy and powerful.
Romney said, “Corporations are people, my friend” (www.washingtonpost.com, 8/11/2011). He defended the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision (which lifted restrictions on political expenditures by corporations and unions, other than direct contributions to federal campaigns). Obama criticized the Citizens United decision as enabling “corporations and other wealthy interests [to] exert vastly disproportionate influence, including through anonymous donations.” He supported the DISCLOSE act, describing it as necessary “to equip Americans with the tools to know who is attempting to influence the nation’s elections” and “to hold corporations and special interests … accountable to the American People” (Executive Office of the President, 7/16/2012,www.propublica.org/documents/). Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan opposes the DISCLOSE Act (http://paulryan.house.gov/7/24/2010). Republican senators blocked it.
There are clear differences between the two candidates for president. We face a crucial choice. Which path for America do you favor? Vote before it’s too late.
Alyssa R. Bernstein is an associate professor of philosophy at Ohio University.
