Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Monomoy Students Conduct Exit Poll
Monday, November 7, 2016
Monomoy Hosts Congressional Debate
See photo gallery by Spencer Kennard here
by Sean Walsh
On November 4th, Monomoy Regional High School hosted a debate between the five candidates running for Congress in the Ninth Congressional District, Representative William Keating (D), Dr. Mark Alliegro (R), Mr. Chris Cataldo (I), Ms. Anna Grace Raduc (I), and Mr. Paul Harrington (I). The five questions asked were on a wide range of topics created by students from Mr. John Dickson’s AP US Government class. Each student had a position. Kira Foster was the moderator, the panelists were Sarah Hemeon, Ben Dube, Colleen Cronin, and Rudy Fratus. Students who did not speak directly had other roles including sound/lights, candidate handlers, video, and social media.
Question One asked “ What should the government be doing to improve the economy? Should the government try to reduce income inequality perhaps by increasing the minimum wage?” Raduc stated that it was impossible to make a living on minimum wage, and that the government should increase the minimum wage. Cataldo stated that the minimum wage should “raise itself”, by that he meant that the business’ should pay people wages that make sense. Incumbent Keating stated that the minimum wage should be increased, emphasizing that “the economy is stronger when there is a strong middle class.” Finally Alliegro stated that raising the minimum wage is exactly what government interference entails, and that the government should “keep its hands off the marketplace.”
Question Two dealt with the rising cost of college tuition, and asked “What can congress do to make college more affordable?” Cataldo stated that since the time that many of the older people were in college, the price has risen dramatically. While in days past one could pay their way through college, the cost now makes that impossible. Keating spoke next, and stated that 2 plus 2 programs, where one spends the first two years of their college career completing classes at a community college before completing their education at a state school, is a good option now for those looking to save money. Keating also spoke of how he believes a college loan should be negotiable, much like a mortgage is, allowing people to pay less. In Alliegro’s answer to this question, he rebuted Keatings opinion by stating that the government shouldn’t be pushing people into 2 plus 2 programs, and that the federal government should not be making money off of education. Harrington stated that education is the lifeblood of the economy, while emphasizing the high cost of a college education. Raduc stated that she agreed with President Obama’s idea to supply six billion dollars of government funds for college.
Question Three asked “Do you believe that there are racial disparities in economic status and police treatment that the government needs to address, and if so, what should the government do?” Keating, who himself was former District Attorney and comes from a police family, stated that as a DA he knows that every case is different, and every situation needs to be looked upon on a case by case basis. Keating believes that early education can address some of the issues of racial disparity. Alliegro stated that the interactions minorities have with the police are not a social issue, but rather an economic one. Harrington, a former public defender in Dorchester, said that the vast majority of police are doing their jobs well, but the small minority that are not need to dealt with. Cataldo argued his point well, by saying that in America we incarcerate more people than in any other nation. He pointed out that the police do indeed have a difficult job, and that we need a national standard of force. He also said that the criminal justice system has made the government a significant amount of money, and the entire system should be reevaluated. Raduc then stated that there should not be racial inequality, and that she has traveled around the country, and seen that there is indeed still unspoken segregation in many parts of the nation.
Question Four asked “What if anything do you think the government should do to address gender pay equity, sexual harassment, and sexual assault?” Alliegro stated that there is no gender pay gap. Harrington believes that there should be equal pay for equal work, but on that note no two people will ever work the same. Raduc said that the gender pay gap should not be a political talking point, and the pay for men and women should be the same. Cataldo addressed the sexual harassment portion of the question. He said that if we look at Trump, and look at Clinton, who have both been involved in some sort of sexual scandal, that there should be a national discussion going on, but there is not. In our country where one in five women are sexually assaulted, neither the democrats nor republicans have done enough to address this issue. Keating said that while acting as district attorney, he was able to set up work place programs to deal with issue of sexual harassment. Keating believes that education is key this problem.
Question Five asked “With humanitarian crisis in Syria, Sudan, and elsewhere, what should we be doing to reduce suffering, help refugees, and prevent future atrocities?” Harrington spoke first and said that there needs to a better screening process to prevent terrorists from entering the United States. Raduc wanted a proper vetting process as well. Cataldo spoke passionately about how the United States needs to stop toppling foreign dictators. He also mentioned the Syrian Civil War, which he stated was not a civil war, but rather a proxy-war in which foreign governments are fighting each other on Syrian soil. With 50,000 foreign fighters on the ground, and the Kremlin benefitting from the war, he said we cannot allow this problem to continue. He also believes that the two party system has failed the nation at large. The two party system, according to Cataldo, divides the nation between republicans and democrats, and leads to a hostile environment in which factional divide is keeping the nation from addressing the issues at hand. Keating said that it is hard to do anything about either issues directly, but both require a political solution. Alliegro said that we should not be involved in the Syrian conflict.
The final question asked each candidate who they were voting for. Raduc stated that she liked things about both candidates. Cataldo was not comfortable disclosing who he was voting for, but he was quick to point out that Keating is a super delegate. Cataldo believes that the very notion of a Super Delegate overrides the will of the people, and is undemocratic. Keating stated that he had already voted for Hillary Clinton. Alliegro stated that he would rather vote for Donald Trump, and although he was not his first choice it was in his opinion better than voting for someone with possible federal charges. Harrington, like many others, held the sentiment that this is the worse choice he has ever had to make. Harrington is voting for Hillary, because he believes her to be the less dangerous option.
After the final question, each candidate was given thirty seconds to give a closing statement. The approach each candidate took in their closing statements were each radically different. Raduc went over some of the things she had previously spoken of, such as the pay gap, and inequality. She ran out of time, and asked that we vote for her. and asked that we vote for her. Cataldo brought up the opiate epidemic that we face on Cape Cod today He said the opiate problem is a major issue, and even though there was no question asked about it, it needs to be addressed with a solution that will work. Keating said that he had started a heroin task force as DA in his closing statement. Alliegro said big government is the enemy of the people, and it is the biggest issue we face, Finally, Harrington said that the American Republic is divided into two great parties, and that is the biggest issue we face today.
The Debate shed new light on not only the candidates policies, but their personalities as well. Throughout the debate, Cataldo spoke with intensity, and confidence without sounding arrogant. His dissatisfaction with the current state of the government was clear, but the solutions he had to address the issues facing America were clear as well. The first time the audience applauded, even when they had been asked not to, was during one of his passionate answers. Keating spoke with the confidence that only a congressman could have. Raduc seemed nervous, and often ran out of time while giving her answers. Alliegro had the greatest amount of support in the audience. Harrington was confident as well. The choices we will soon face are difficult, but the debate shed new light on each candidate.
by Sean Walsh
On November 4th, Monomoy Regional High School hosted a debate between the five candidates running for Congress in the Ninth Congressional District, Representative William Keating (D), Dr. Mark Alliegro (R), Mr. Chris Cataldo (I), Ms. Anna Grace Raduc (I), and Mr. Paul Harrington (I). The five questions asked were on a wide range of topics created by students from Mr. John Dickson’s AP US Government class. Each student had a position. Kira Foster was the moderator, the panelists were Sarah Hemeon, Ben Dube, Colleen Cronin, and Rudy Fratus. Students who did not speak directly had other roles including sound/lights, candidate handlers, video, and social media.
Question One asked “ What should the government be doing to improve the economy? Should the government try to reduce income inequality perhaps by increasing the minimum wage?” Raduc stated that it was impossible to make a living on minimum wage, and that the government should increase the minimum wage. Cataldo stated that the minimum wage should “raise itself”, by that he meant that the business’ should pay people wages that make sense. Incumbent Keating stated that the minimum wage should be increased, emphasizing that “the economy is stronger when there is a strong middle class.” Finally Alliegro stated that raising the minimum wage is exactly what government interference entails, and that the government should “keep its hands off the marketplace.”
Question Two dealt with the rising cost of college tuition, and asked “What can congress do to make college more affordable?” Cataldo stated that since the time that many of the older people were in college, the price has risen dramatically. While in days past one could pay their way through college, the cost now makes that impossible. Keating spoke next, and stated that 2 plus 2 programs, where one spends the first two years of their college career completing classes at a community college before completing their education at a state school, is a good option now for those looking to save money. Keating also spoke of how he believes a college loan should be negotiable, much like a mortgage is, allowing people to pay less. In Alliegro’s answer to this question, he rebuted Keatings opinion by stating that the government shouldn’t be pushing people into 2 plus 2 programs, and that the federal government should not be making money off of education. Harrington stated that education is the lifeblood of the economy, while emphasizing the high cost of a college education. Raduc stated that she agreed with President Obama’s idea to supply six billion dollars of government funds for college.
Question Three asked “Do you believe that there are racial disparities in economic status and police treatment that the government needs to address, and if so, what should the government do?” Keating, who himself was former District Attorney and comes from a police family, stated that as a DA he knows that every case is different, and every situation needs to be looked upon on a case by case basis. Keating believes that early education can address some of the issues of racial disparity. Alliegro stated that the interactions minorities have with the police are not a social issue, but rather an economic one. Harrington, a former public defender in Dorchester, said that the vast majority of police are doing their jobs well, but the small minority that are not need to dealt with. Cataldo argued his point well, by saying that in America we incarcerate more people than in any other nation. He pointed out that the police do indeed have a difficult job, and that we need a national standard of force. He also said that the criminal justice system has made the government a significant amount of money, and the entire system should be reevaluated. Raduc then stated that there should not be racial inequality, and that she has traveled around the country, and seen that there is indeed still unspoken segregation in many parts of the nation.
Question Four asked “What if anything do you think the government should do to address gender pay equity, sexual harassment, and sexual assault?” Alliegro stated that there is no gender pay gap. Harrington believes that there should be equal pay for equal work, but on that note no two people will ever work the same. Raduc said that the gender pay gap should not be a political talking point, and the pay for men and women should be the same. Cataldo addressed the sexual harassment portion of the question. He said that if we look at Trump, and look at Clinton, who have both been involved in some sort of sexual scandal, that there should be a national discussion going on, but there is not. In our country where one in five women are sexually assaulted, neither the democrats nor republicans have done enough to address this issue. Keating said that while acting as district attorney, he was able to set up work place programs to deal with issue of sexual harassment. Keating believes that education is key this problem.
Question Five asked “With humanitarian crisis in Syria, Sudan, and elsewhere, what should we be doing to reduce suffering, help refugees, and prevent future atrocities?” Harrington spoke first and said that there needs to a better screening process to prevent terrorists from entering the United States. Raduc wanted a proper vetting process as well. Cataldo spoke passionately about how the United States needs to stop toppling foreign dictators. He also mentioned the Syrian Civil War, which he stated was not a civil war, but rather a proxy-war in which foreign governments are fighting each other on Syrian soil. With 50,000 foreign fighters on the ground, and the Kremlin benefitting from the war, he said we cannot allow this problem to continue. He also believes that the two party system has failed the nation at large. The two party system, according to Cataldo, divides the nation between republicans and democrats, and leads to a hostile environment in which factional divide is keeping the nation from addressing the issues at hand. Keating said that it is hard to do anything about either issues directly, but both require a political solution. Alliegro said that we should not be involved in the Syrian conflict.
The final question asked each candidate who they were voting for. Raduc stated that she liked things about both candidates. Cataldo was not comfortable disclosing who he was voting for, but he was quick to point out that Keating is a super delegate. Cataldo believes that the very notion of a Super Delegate overrides the will of the people, and is undemocratic. Keating stated that he had already voted for Hillary Clinton. Alliegro stated that he would rather vote for Donald Trump, and although he was not his first choice it was in his opinion better than voting for someone with possible federal charges. Harrington, like many others, held the sentiment that this is the worse choice he has ever had to make. Harrington is voting for Hillary, because he believes her to be the less dangerous option.
After the final question, each candidate was given thirty seconds to give a closing statement. The approach each candidate took in their closing statements were each radically different. Raduc went over some of the things she had previously spoken of, such as the pay gap, and inequality. She ran out of time, and asked that we vote for her. and asked that we vote for her. Cataldo brought up the opiate epidemic that we face on Cape Cod today He said the opiate problem is a major issue, and even though there was no question asked about it, it needs to be addressed with a solution that will work. Keating said that he had started a heroin task force as DA in his closing statement. Alliegro said big government is the enemy of the people, and it is the biggest issue we face, Finally, Harrington said that the American Republic is divided into two great parties, and that is the biggest issue we face today.
The Debate shed new light on not only the candidates policies, but their personalities as well. Throughout the debate, Cataldo spoke with intensity, and confidence without sounding arrogant. His dissatisfaction with the current state of the government was clear, but the solutions he had to address the issues facing America were clear as well. The first time the audience applauded, even when they had been asked not to, was during one of his passionate answers. Keating spoke with the confidence that only a congressman could have. Raduc seemed nervous, and often ran out of time while giving her answers. Alliegro had the greatest amount of support in the audience. Harrington was confident as well. The choices we will soon face are difficult, but the debate shed new light on each candidate.
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