The Future of America

Professor Gary Rose held a livestream event along with Kolby Driscoll, the President of College Democrats, Matteo Menta, the President of College Republicans and Carlos Ruiz, the President of Pioneer Vote on the Sacred Heart campus. The event took place on Sept. 17.

“I believe a lot of people are for change in the country though I do think that just based on what we registered last year, the campus does lean a little more Republican which is totally fine,” said Ruiz.

The 2020 Presidential Election and the Future of America is discussed at weekly meetings on Zoom by the Club of College Republicans and Democrats.

“We are all about inclusivity, a very open and accepting meeting space for people to share their ideas and have discussion. We try to facilitate and organize debates between the two clubs to understand where everyone is coming from. To work collectively in one cohesive unit, we have to be really understanding of everyone’s views collectively,” said Driscoll

“We are focused on trying to create an atmosphere on campus where we can share these ideas, have these ideas but also showing why we’re proud to have them,” said Menta.

Rose was able to get insight on what it meant to be part of a particular political party along with the importance of voting.

“Developing ways to include the student body to let them know why voting is so important. Pioneer Vote and athletics will be working together to register the student body,” said Ruiz.

“As a Republican, I think that the reasons Republicans are Republicans is because we trust that the values that form the foundation of this country will be strong enough to overcome any oppressor or tyrannical legislation,” said Menta.

Rose then asked what the key issues among the student body were.

“Law enforcement and the character of our presidential candidates. I think the issue is they fear what their peers are going to say,” said Menta.

“It’s easier to stay in the middle and say we’ll hear it out, I’ll see where to go,” said Ruiz.

Pioneer Vote focuses on getting input on where students are leaning towards voting.

“I do think that we have a very diverse population here at SHU in terms of ideology. I would say I don’t think that one has the upper hand. I don’t really see a lot of polarization,” said Driscoll.

Menta thought otherwise.

“Based on my experience, I would tend to agree with Carlos. If I had to say it does seem that there have been more vocal Republicans,” said Menta.

Sacred Heart University encourages their student body to engage in politics.

“There are two choices or attitudes if you want to engage in politics. theres the first attitude which is by far the easiest, treat yourself like you are on a pedestal,” said Menta.

People via Zoom raised questions and concerns as well. One student asked their thought on electing an independent candidate.

“We’ve never elected an independent president. It’s either a Federalist or a Democratic Republic and we’ve also elected a Wig party but when that died down, we have elected Democrat or Republican,” said Rose.

The public also raised concerns on COVID-19.

“Corona Virus has been a very big factor, so I think it has hurt his chances (President Trump) but now it seems the public have actually shifted away from the virus because of the riots that have been happening within the American cities,” said Menta.

Rose then raised a concern on whether or not the upcoming election could be categorized by mass fraud.

“Well in my personal opinion I think he (President Trump) is a little worried. I do believe that there is a possibility for that but it’s really unlikely for it to happen,” said Ruiz

“I kind of envision Trump possibly winning the popular vote and Joe Biden the Electoral College vote,” said Driscoll.

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