Soon, many seniors and juniors, maybe some sophomores will be able to vote for the first time in the 2016 Presidential election, but how to choose a candidate is proving tougher and tougher as electoral processes have gradually made it harder to choose a candidate based on ideological values. But if you’re an independent voter (like I will be), you might want to get a briefing of the candidates on the issues.
Jeb Bush is the Catholic ex-governor of Florida (1999-2007). As governor, he was a strong advocate of education reform. He implemented what was called the “A+ Plan” which toughened school standards in the Sunshine State by enforcing that students in high school be properly tested and that all be properly graded. Since the A+ plan was put into action, Florida, 4th grade reading scores have improved by 11 points, which is significantly better than the national average change during that time.
As an enemy of taxes and a proponent of greater access to nonpublic schools, Bush implemented a school voucher plan (vouchers allow parents to pay for private school tuitions using state money for public schools) the downside is that this money defunds [in part] public schools, a double-edged sword. The plan was struck down in the courts but candidate Bush continues to advocate such policies. He also gave tax credits to companies that contributed to scholarships for students to have greater access to private/parochial schools. Recently, Bush has come out a supporter of Common Core Standards (An initiative from the Democrats to implement nationwide testing standards), referring to the naysayers of the initiative, he said “criticisms and conspiracy theories are easy attention grabbers”.
As Governor, he was a major advocate of a leaner government, and he cut state spending by over 6 billion dollars. One of the ways he did this was by cutting some funding to public libraries and other public educational programs.
Jeb Bush is a supporter of action in the face of climate change. As governor, he implemented projects to protect the everglades and expanded the size of the land that was part of the conservancy. Very recently, he said “The climate is changing, and I’m concerned about that.” and that we need to work with the international community to “reduce carbon emissions.” This makes him one of the rare Republican candidates (Governor Chris Christie is his only co-candidate in the Republican camp to agree) to admit to the existence of climate change and to advocate action against it.
On social issues: Jeb Bush is a firm pro-lifer, he supported a law which would have required teen abortion candidates to inform their parents of their considering a procedure. Jeb Bush also gave the go-ahead to 21 executions without ever agreeing to commute a sentence. He also banned using racial preference for employment or college/school admissions, making him a critic of affirmative action. On the subject of immigration, Bush supported a failed effort to let illegal immigrants get drivers licenses.
Not having served in an office where questions of foreign policy is of importance (Governors have no role in such affairs), Jeb Bush’s policies are still somewhat unclear. However, he had established himself as strong ally of Israel’s and an enemy of Cuba and Russia’s, saying “Passivity hasn’t worked on Russia and Ukraine”, implying that the US must step in meaningfully in some way.
For a report on co-presidential frontrunner Senator Marco Rubio, click here: http://sites.wis.edu/dateline/?p=387