Meet John Kerry, Presidential Candidate

By: Elizabeth Bartek
Posted In: National News

Election 2004 is now in full swing, and the editors at the Mosaic believe it is important that the Salve Regina community is aware of the Democratic candidates and what their positions are. It is our hope this information will provide you with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision in November.

John Kerry for President

Kerry was born in Colorado and grew up in Massachusetts. After graduating from Yale University, Kerry joined the Navy and served on a gunboat in Vietnam. He received three awards of the Purple Heart for his bravery during his service.

He also served with Sen. Pell as a Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but felt that law was his calling. He graduated from Boston College Law school.

Kerry has served in the Senate from 1984 and is now in his fourth term. According to his website, “Kerry has worked to reform public education, address children’s issues, strengthen the economy and encourage the growth of the high tech New Economy, protect the environment, and advance America’s foreign policy interests around the globe.”

Economy

Kerry states that in his first 500 days in office, he is going to work to bring back many of the three million jobs that have been lost under Bush. The democratic candidate plans to do this through a revival of manufacturing in the U.S. and “expanding economic opportunity for women.” On his website, Kerry also outlines tax relief and the halting of budget cuts.

Education

According his website, “John Kerry believes that we need to invest in our schools instead of giving tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.”

Kerry has created a Three-Point Plan for education, which he would carry out in his first 100 days in office. These points include setting up a New National Education Trust Fund, which will fully fund education. Second, “that our schools focus on teaching high standards to all children, and do not become drill and kill test prep institutions,” and finally, an overall improvement of U.S. schools, which includes both the building itself, and the material taught in the classroom.

Environment

If appointed to the Presidential office, Kerry promises to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce dangerous emissions in the air, and “clean up” our nations water.

His website states, “Kerry will create a Toxics Task Force at the EPA that will identify the top toxics threats to our citizens and develop an action plan to address them, and he will work to ensure that every American child has access to a clean and safe neighborhood ball field or park.”

Health Care

Kerry plans to lower prescription drug costs, expand prescription coverage, and will also ensure that seniors are not forced in to HMOs but can choose their own doctors.

As for health care for children, Kerry wants to address childhood obesity and “keeping the environment clean and safe for our children.”

Finally, Kerry believes we need to address the AIDS epidemic, both worldwide and in the U.S. This includes expanding funding and research.