First-time Voters Concerned About Student Debt, Getting Jobs After Graduation

EAST PEORIA — It is obvious by attitudes around college campuses that students are less engaged in this election than in the 2008 election that sent young voters swarming to the polls in support of President Obama’s “hope and change” campaign.

According to a report released by the Center for the American Electorate, youth voter turnout is predicted to drop significantly in the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election due to the not- so-sexy topics of the economy and healthcare looming as key issues.

“We as college students want to hear about issues that matter to us right now. We want to know if we’re going to have a job in four years, and we want know how we’re going to pay back this massive student debt,” says RJ Judd of Lacon, first-year student at Illinois Central College.

Governor Mitt Romney and Obama both claim to support students and promise to provide them with jobs after college. The candidates’ policies, however, promise completely opposite solutions.

“Education is the surest path to the middle class,” says Obama. According to Obama’s official website, his main goal in education is making sure all Americans have the opportunity to pursue higher learning regardless of their financial stability.

Acting upon this goal, Obama has invested billions of dollars into Pell Grants, which provide federally funded assistance in paying for college. He has established a college tax credit for students and their families worth up to $10,000 over four years of college.

Over the last four years, Obama has invested $2 billion in community colleges like ICC and proposed forging new partnerships between community colleges and employers to train two million workers for jobs that already exist.

Under the Obama Administration, students could qualify for the “Pay As You Earn” program, in which students would repay their student loans monthly, using only 10 percent of their monthly income. If students make payments diligently for 20 years, their remaining debt will be excused.

Romney agrees that higher education is the heart of America’s educational system but feels that the federal dollars that Obama has invested is driving up tuition and burdening too many young Americans with substantial debt and too few opportunities.

According to Romney’s official website, he wants to strengthen and simplify the financial aid system and welcome private sector participation.

“He’s wanting more of the American Dream enforced, as compared to Obama who is wanting to provide more government assistance to college students,” says Joe Eberle, 23, of the Peoria area.

Under Romney’s administration, students would be looking for the implementation of Romney’s Five-Point Plan for more jobs and more take home pay. The plan would support America becoming more energy independent, give Americans the skills needed to succeed, strengthen trades with other countries and champion small businesses.

Jimmy Zerbonia, 20, of Peoria, Treasurer for College Democrats of ICC, shares his opinion about the candidate’s policies. “As far as community college goes, if you can get a Pell Grant, it’s more beneficial to the student because it mostly covers your whole tuition and your book costs, if you get the right one, of course…. The Romney plan is more about being self-sufficient and getting a job afterwards. It’s like an after the fact thing.”

Obama believes that manufacturing is an essential building block of the economy because it sparks innovation, generates higher-wage jobs and strengthens entire communities. If re-elected, he plans to create one million new manufacturing jobs by the end of 2016.

In choosing which candidate to vote for in the 2012 election, first- time voters will have to choose which leader they feel will create the best future for our country.