Forum: Presidential debate

Clinton's record speaks for itself

Bill Clinton should be voted as president for a second term. His actions during his first term show that he is for the students, workers who pay taxes, women who want control of their bodies and minds, all rights to free speech and an overall commitment to the welfare of Americans' health.

President Clinton is a student's president. He has made it possible for student loans to be more accessible through the Student Loan Reform Act.

Within this program, students don't have to deal with individual banks. There isn't a back log of paperwork students have to deal with.

The HOPE Scholarship plan is a program in which students are provided with scholarships with tax credits if their performance is above average. Clinton is also working to expand the federal work-study program. These jobs can eventually lead to internships and better jobs after leaving college.

Americorp is another student-oriented program in which they are able to work to earn money for themselves and serve a civil duty at the same time. Students go into their communities to work. This serves two purposes: Young people can make their own money. Also, these young people are helping their communities.

After leaving college, students will be in the work force. These people need to be able to have insurance that they will be able to survive on the entry-level income they will be making at the beginning of their careers.

In order for workers to be able to survive the economy needs to be in good shape. Under Clinton's administration, the budget deficit was cut by 60 percent. Unemployment has also decreased.

Not only is he concerned with workers surviving, he wants to ensure women's rights are enforced as well.

Clinton is a woman's president. He has rallied for reproductive rights. He has continually fought against the politicians who want to make sure women don't have a choice as to what to do with their own bodies.

During his term, he passed the Violence Against Women Act. This act was set up to fund such programs like rape prevention and battered women's shelters. Affirmative action is another program Clinton is fighting to keep alive.

The maintaining of affirmative action is something that not only benefits women but minorities as well. Affirmative action allows women and people of color to have a voice.

It is an action in which those who have historically been prejudiced against can have insurance that they will have the same opportunities that men and whites have always has. It also allows them legal action if that equality is not met.

Not only is Clinton concerned about equality for all Americans, he is concerned about their health as well. He proposed to tighten airport security and enact a $1.1 billion anti-terrorism crackdown. He created an anti-crime initiative in 1994.

During his term there was an increase in gang prosecutions and a drop in crime rates.

Environmentally, Clinton has supported preservationist in their fight to keep the Redwoods from being cut down, kept the national monument in Utah from being developed and tightened regulations on the big polluters in the United States.

Erica Miller is the Opinion Editor for the Daily Forty-Niner.