Pressing Questions
Education:
1. In 2015 the high school completion rate in New York was 71% and in New Jersey it was almost 90%, how does your team plan to balance out the percentages?
The key in balancing out the percentages is to establish more programs for the kids. Many kids drop out because they feel like they lack control with their education. When you give more choice to these students regarding their education many will find an increase in interest.
2. According to studies, the demand for teachers is expected to grow between 2008 and 2018, how does your team plan to solve those economy issues?
Teaching should be viewed as a higher up job in society. With this view, the quality of teachers that come out of college will increase.
3. Since around 2000, standardized tests have established their pros and cons, what is your plan for the future of standardized testing?
I think it hurts the student’s performance more than helps it. Right now the education system stresses too much importance on these types of tests, to the point where it can hinder creativity in the curriculum. In the future we would definitely decrease the values of standardized testing and focus on more student centered goals and achievements in order to enhance and challenge their potential.
4. How can the federal government, in collaboration with other levels of government, provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12?
We think students should start focusing on their interests and passions earlier on. In elementary school, if the kids have more independence with their education they might take an interest and value their education more than with the current system. By offering more programs, similar to BOCES, students will have more of a choice.
5. Since Obama has made many efforts to make college more affordable, what are your plans to make it even more affordable?
Instead of having the taxpayers pay more money for other students education, I think we should look into the colleges themselves. If we get the college to change their system and how they conduct business, we could save the students and taxpayers millions without depreciating the value of the education the college offers.
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Foreign Policy:
1. How can you draw the line between violating civil liberties and protecting against Isis?
Listening in on everybody at every hour of the day isn’t necessary but if someone is looking up terrorist organizations or showing interest in the social media websites then we think the government should keep track of it. Internet search histories can shed light on a person’s motives or future plans. By the government knowing this sort of information, they can act on the suspect before it becomes an issue.
2. In a major ramp-up, North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests this year. As President, would you seek to more tightly squeeze the North Korean regime, look to enter a dialogue, or take another approach?
We should definitely apply pressure on the country because if not, they will become out of control. However, we must not be too aggressive since they have talked of targeting us. A naval armada would perfectly show that we are on guard and prepared to fight, without attacking them and starting a war.
3. In 2014, ISIS controlled more than 34,000 square miles in Syria and Iraq, how do you plan o containing ISIS from becoming a world wide super power?
We must combine our intelligence forces with other nations in order to create an unstoppable force against ISIS. While not keeping the option out of mind, we will not jump to air striking. Rather, we will investigate the whereabouts of these ISIS bases and once we are certain, strike.
4. The war in Syria has created a huge migrant crisis. What is the appropriate level of migration from Syria that the United States should allow, and how would you guarantee that those coming into our country from a region struggling with terrorism do not mean us harm?
Currently we are taking the wrong approach to the Syrian migrant crisis. Instead of focusing on bringing them to other nations, we should tackle the problem head on, and focus on improving the state of Syria.
Economy:
1. What should the federal government do about the growing economic disparity between the poor, the middle class and the wealthy?
The current healthcare program has been hurting the middle class. We need a strong middle class because without it there will be a huge gap between the rich and the poor. By finding a more affordable health care system for ALL classes we will not only decrease the likelihood of a gap, but also improve the U.S. economy.
2. How are you going to bring back the industries that have left this country for cheaper labor overseas? How, specifically, are you going to tell American manufacturers that you have to come back?
Say if a business is thinking of sending their jobs overseas, we will increase the taxes of the goods if they want to sell it in America. This will discourage outsourcing and bring manufacturing back to America.