USC
graduate runs for governor
By
Jason Carter
Daily Trojan
LOS
ANGELES (U-Wire) -- Gubernatorial recall
candidate and USC alumna Brooke Adams visited
campus Wednesday afternoon to meet with
students and speak in Stephen O'Leary's
communication class.
Adams,
25, is running for governor in the Oct.
7 recall election because she feels California
is in a state of disaster, she said.
"The
biggest issue facing us is that we're drowning
financially and something needs to be done
about it. I'm tired of watching it from
the sideline," Adams said.
Running
as an independent candidate, Adams admitted
her platform has both conservative and libertarian
elements.
"I
am not interested in affiliating with one
of the political parties because I think
that to best represent the majority of the
people, it is wise to focus on the issues,
not a political party," Adams said.
Adams
said her campaign platform promotes individual
freedom, personal responsibility and smaller
government.
"Individual
freedom is about cutting down some of the
red tape, making a more business friendly
environment in California," she said.
One
way Adams plans to lower business costs
and encourage companies to return to California
is by reducing worker compensation.
Adams
posed the question of whether it feasible
for businesses to survive start-up costs
and workers' compensation. "Or is it
easier to just move out of state where,
not only are the costs a great deal less,
but maintaining your business is easier?"
Adams
proposes a flat tax instead of the state's
current graduated income tax.
"Everyone
should contribute," Adams said.
Even
families in the lowest income bracket should
pay taxes, she added.
About
70 percent of income tax revenue is generated
by the wealthy, Adams said.
Adams
said she is personally willing to pay at
a higher rate than she does now under a
flat tax because it asks the same percentage
from all Californians.
Edward
McCaffery, professor of law and political
science, said that for California's tax
revenue not to decrease, individuals with
smaller incomes will see their taxes go
up while those with greater incomes will
pay less.
Adams
said she hopes to inspire college-age students
to take an interest in the upcoming election.
"She's
a serious candidate who anticipates winning
by uniting the younger generation,"
said Steve Spernak, Adams' campaign director.
Adams
spent about an hour near Hahn Plaza handing
out flyers and pencils featuring her Web
site address to passing students.
"She's
really trying to make a difference. It's
not just a game she's playing," said
Serena Watson, a freshman majoring in communication.
"She impressed me as someone who is
serious about what she's doing."
Adams
graduated from USC in 2000 with a Bachelor
of Arts in communication. She said she was
glad to be back at the university.
"That
was very smart of her to come back to her
alma mater to try to gain support,"
said Harlye Maya, Greek senator for Student
Senate and a junior majoring in political
science.
Even
if Adams is not elected governor, she considers
it an accomplishment to raise young people's
awareness of the state's political issues,
she said.
Adams
will continue visiting college campuses
across the state to raise support and awareness
of the issues at stake, the candidate said.
Adams
hoped to return to USC to hold a rally before
the election, she added.
"The
biggest issue facing us is that we're drowning
financially and something needs to be done
about it. I'm tired of watching it from
the sideline."
-- Brooke Adams,
USC alumna
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