SHSU College Republicans, Bearkat Democrats square off in debate

The heat of the discussion at last night’s mock political debate hosted by the College Republicans and Bearkat Democrats was radiating between liberals and conservatives on stage and in the crowd.

The leaders of Bearkat Democrats and SHSU College Republicans repeated much of the argumentation already given by President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney to the point that moans and grunts could be from both sides of Olson Auditorium.

Tensions were high and tempers were short as the program went on for two hours. The audience had to be asked to be quiet several times due to the heated debate.

The debate consisted of five topics: the economy, immigration, education, foreign policy and health care. The floor was then open to members of the audience so that they could ask the different party members questions directly.

A difference of opinions and ideologies was most of what was presented, but not all that was intended.

Many conservative members of the audience scoffed at Brian Howard, Bearkat Democrat President, when he made the comment that people on welfare are not lazy while discussing welfare funding.

Sophomore forensic chemistry major Michael Prow was driven to the point of tears as he took the floor during the open-forum segment of the evening.

His strong emotional response was to the vice president of the College Republicans and junior pre-law major Ramiro Jaime Jr.

Prow disagreed with Jaime’s point that since he was able to hold multiple jobs to pay for college, he believes others are capable of that feat, also when discussing welfare funding and federal financial aid.

Prow fought back tears and was given courage by the crowd’s cheers as well as getting a handshake from Jaime.

This comment chilled the atmosphere and brought an end to the night’s heated nature.

“I commend him for that and I respect him for that and I agree with him that you should bust your hump to do whatever you can, and then again some people don’t have that opportunity,” Prow said. “I applied for eight jobs and I got – I got none of them, probably because I just wasn’t the right person for the job.”

When Jaime was asked about whether or not he approved of Prow’s statement, he replied, “Absolutely.”

The debate was a collaborative effort between both organizations.

“We’ve actually been planning this since orientation,” Jaime said as he explained that this debate was actually a bi-partisan plan with the Bearkat Democrats.

“The future of America is bright because we don’t hate each other, you know, we talk fairly often and it is definitely bipartisan,” said Bearkat Democrats member Derek Zarosky.

Zarosky is a senior political science major and is looking forward to working with Jaime in the future in the political realm.

Although the debate was heated through most of the night, Jaime talked about bipartisanship and the need for both parties to be open-minded in the future, something every debate participant promoted.

 “Let us both extend our hand and unclench our fist,” he said. “It’s time that both parties quit the fighting and quit the bickering. Let’s not take our county right or our country left. Let’s rise from the ashes and link arm to arm and fight together and move this country straight up and back on the top of the world where we undoubtedly belong.”

Early voting will continue until Nov. 2, Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 6. For more information on where and when to vote visit the Texas Secretary of State, or the City of Huntsville website.