By, for and about the high school students of Clark County
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| Each month, guest columnists U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and U.S. Sen. John Ensign answer questions on topics that matter to young Nevadans. Send your questions on government and politics to senators@classmag.com | |
| TOPIC: College Education | |
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| Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) grew up in the small, desert town of Searchlight, Nev. and graduated from Basic High School. At Basic, he joined the school’s boxing team and discovered an interest in politics that has led to his poisition as one of the most important lawmakers in America. For more info, visit reid.senate.gov. | Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) was raised in northern Nevada and moved to southern Nevada to graduate from Clark High School. In addition to bringing millions of extra dollars to Nevada schools through his Education High Growth Grant amendment, he has also worked as a veterinarian. For more info, visit ensign.senate.gov. |
| How will having a majority party in the senate and presidency affect our country? | |
| Reid: The strong majority we gained this election means the Senate will be able to get some important work done for the people of Nevada and the country. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us; we need to get our economy back on track, make health care affordable and we need a real energy policy that will save consumers money.
I want to work with my colleagues to make sure our education system is the best it can be and that students who want to go to college can afford to do so as well. |
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| Ensign: Although the democrats will hold the White House as well as the majorities in the House and Senate, the American people have made it very clear that they want leaders of both political parties to work together. Democrats will have a choice between using their majority to force their agenda through with no deliberation from republicans or reaching across the aisle and working with willing republicans to create legislation of which all Americans can be proud.
I am hopeful that, at a time when our nation faces so many challenges, we can work together. Whether it is the economic crisis, energy consumption, health care reform, education, national security or fiscal responsibility, democrats and republicans coming together can bring real solutions. |
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| How will having a non-white president affect the political process? | |
| Reid: There’s no denying that President-elect Obama’s election as the first African-American president is historic and a major step for all Americans. But Obama did not just appeal to black voters; he generated excitement among everyone -- whites, African-Americans, Latinos, men and women, young and old. He has an amazing capacity to lead and that is why he won by such a large margin in Nevada and throughout the country. What is most important, far more than a categorical description, is his vision for our country. Obama will bring change and lead the country toward a stronger economy, help promote a renewable energy revolution and work to ensure that families can afford health care. That is why I voted for President-elect Obama. | |
| Ensign: The historic election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States of America proved that our country and its citizens have made tremendous progress in living up to the ambitions of our centuries-old Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal.” I don’t believe the color of our president’s skin will affect the political process. | |
| What are your top two goals this Congressional session? | |
| Reid: I will continue my work to make Nevada the world leader in a clean energy revolution. Nevada has so much potential for wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. We need to put our resources to work and end our dependence on fossil fuels. We also will continue to fix our broken economy, create new jobs and help families that are struggling with home foreclosures and rising health care costs. Stopping Yucca Mountain remains a top priority for me, and as long as I am your senator, the proposed nuclear waste dump will never be built. | |
| Ensign: Throughout my time in public office, I have been focused on ensuring that future generations of Americans are not saddled with our financial mistakes. We spend money in Washington, D.C. as if we are on a shopping spree. Unfortunately, today’s taxpayers and, more importantly, tomorrow’s taxpayers, foot the bill. History has taught us that public debt and financial bankruptcy destroy great civilizations. That is why I believe we have a moral responsibility to reign in wasteful spending, reduce our debt and make decisions based on the financial impact they’ll have on our grandchildren. We cannot afford to continue spending money without considering the consequences. In September, the national debt exceeded $10 trillion for the first time ever -- $10 trillion. My generation has become skilled at spending taxpayer money and ignoring the fact that our country is $10 trillion in debt. Your generation and those after you will pay the price if you don’t start holding your leaders accountable. I know you’re concerned about many issues, but next time you have the opportunity to ask someone running for office a question, ask them what they’re doing about our national debt. | |
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