speculating on PROGRESS

For T H E N E X T Century

In Politics

by Bridget Egan staff writer

Some of the most dramatic changes America has witnessed in the past century have taken place in the political arena. This country has seen some of its leaders honored, assassinated and admonished.

In the past two years, the United States has seen the political scandal of its current president umavel under the hot glare of the media spotlight. With the influx of political scandals flashing across our television screens, many Americans have become more educated about the dynamics of American politics and wonder what the next century will bring.

A recent trend in American politics has been a rise in the amount of women in legislature. In states like Washington and Arizona, women are beginning to actually dominate the hierarchy of the legislature.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Lita lndzel Cohen (R) of the 148th Legislative District does not see the trend of women in the legislature spreading to Pennsylvania. She states that although Pennsylvania's population is 52 percent women, there are only 10 percent of women who represent Pennsylvanians in the House of Representatives.

Cohen is doubtful that these numbers will change in the next century. She is quick to point out, though, that if women are to be elected, they should be voted for because they are quality candidates, not simply because of their gender.

'Tm not sure if it matters whether politicians are women or men," Cohen said. "Women bring a different perspective, but they must be qualified."

With the rumored presidential run of Elizabeth Dole, JUany have been wondering if America will elect a woman president in the next century. Senior Bridget Bonner is hopeful that this will occur.

"I think in the next century we will see more and more women in politics," said Bonner. "I think it won't be long before we have a woman president."

Bonner may be alone in this sentiment, though. Many political analysts have stated that the recent influx of women in politics is occurring in states with a weaker political structure. Many do not feel that this trend will spread across the United States.

Dr. Sharon Schwarze, chair of the philosophy department, does not see a woman reigning in the Oval Office in the near future.

"I don't see a woman being president anytime soon." said Schwarze, "unless there is a woman vice-president and the president dies."

Schwarze cites the difference in women's political interests and traditional political interests, which she claims have been mainly male-dominated topics. Issues such as childcare and women's health care have long been ignored, Schwarze claims, but with more women in positions of power this may change. She feels that women's issues and men's issues, while equally important, are very different and must be treated as such.

Out of the 25 elections of this century, 12 have produced Republican presidents and 13 have produced Democratic presidents.

Rep. Cohen argues, though, that many issues traditionally deemed as women's issues are actually family concerns and both women and men have vested interest in them.

"All the things we attribute to women's issues affect everybody," Cohen said. "They are family issues."

Many are predicting dramatic changes in the way we view our politicians in the next century. This alteration may stem from the noticeable rift in the two major political parties that has deepened since the beginning of this century.

With the recent trial of President Clinton, the arguments over the fairness of independent counsel and the debacle between extreme right and extreme left politics, many are predicting a new era in the next elections.

Chris Stein, a senior, foresees major changes in the schematics of the American political system. He feels that the ideologies of the voters will change, and this will be mirrored in the ideals of the people who are voted into office.

"People are tired of being lied to and they are tired of being told what is best for them," Stein said. "The voters need someone who will actually do what is best for them.''

Many feel that the next wave of politicians, for many years afterwards, will be affected by the recent Clinton impeachment process.

A FOUR-PARTSERIESTHAT DEALS WITH PREDICTIONS AND FORECASTSFOR THE NEXTCENTURY.THE SERIES WILL APPEAR IN EVERY OTHERISSUEAND WILL FOCUS ON THEISSUESOF TECHNOLOGY,MEDICINE AND SCIENCEAND CABRINI'S OWN FUTURE.

Bonner feels that laws will be more lenient and politicians will try and cater to the majority more out of fear of losing their positions or having damaging information brought to light.

"Politicians will be on pins and needles, watching everything they say and do," said Bonner.

Chris Swift, a first-year student, does not feel that politics will change greatly in the next century. He feels that the Republican party will try and make a big deal out the past hearings, but it will remain extremely partisan.

Stein feels that the Clinton scandal will be used as an example in future years. He hopes that it will scare away the "typical politician of today." He feels that many politicians think that they can do what they want and not suffer any consequences.

Both Bonner and Stein felt that the hearing will alter history because it will not just be recorded in history books, but will also be immortalized on video forever. Stein thinks that it will set the tone for future politicians.

Bonner also foresees more young people becoming involved in the political game. She feels that seeing the recent proceedings on television have spurred a renewed interest in their future. One way to help control their future, she claims, is to keep on top of politics.

Swift offers a different perspective on young Americans becoming proactive. Although he does not see younger politicians being nominated, he does foresee more youth activism in the century to come.

"Young people are just starting to form their own opinions," said Swift.

Swift claims that there is a cycle starting to repeat itself that will continue well into the next century. He says that the anti-materialistic attitude that was prevalent in the late '50s to early '70s is beginning to emerge in the neohippie and rave cultures.

Stein feels that though participation in politics by a younger quadrant will not be immediate, it will come in the next century.

"Young people have a sour taste in their mouth," Stein said. "All they know is scandal, and there is no ideal politician. I don't think there is a role model for our generation."

Another repercussion of the recent impeachment process is partisan politics. Whether this will continue into the next century is an issue that has been debated for continued from previous page some time now. Schwarze does not feel that the division will affect the presidency, but feels that there will be more bitterness and definitely more partisan politics.

"Society is being more polarized," said Schwarze. "This [impeachment process] was a polarizing experience."

Cohen feels that the Republican Party needs to come back to the center and stop giving in to extremism. Both Schwarze and Cohen declare there is a need for a prominent leader to emerge in the Republican Party for the next cenrury.

Rep. Cohen hopes for a new leader that will see things from the middle ground instead of the extreme right.

"I don't see any prominent leaders now that will set forth a new centrist theory," Cohen said.

Schwarze noted that even in the Democratic Party there is not really a liberal leader. She claimed that there is no Bobby.Kennedy in the current party structure.

Stein also felt there were no prominent leaders that a younger generation could look up to. He wished that a Martin Luther King Jr.- or John F. Kennedy-type leader would emerge form the ranks.

For the next cenrury, Swift hopes that the American people will be privy to a broader definition of free speech.

He feels that the Communications Decency Act and the attempted censoring of many books should stop. He wishes that all viewpoints would be considered and listened to equally.

Bonner wants to see a woman in the oval office. She hopes that Elizabeth Dole will stage a successful campaign and eventually become the next American president.

For Rep. Cohen, her first priority for the future is to be re-elected. She also hopes to see more legislation passed that deals with education, women's issues, daycare and eldercare. The three key words to implement these changes in the future to her are "affordable, accessible and quality."

Schwarze mirrors Cohen's attirudes regarding education. Her wish is that there will be an equal playing field for all children, especially in terms of education. She also hopes that there will still be a safety net for older Americans in terms of Social Security and Medicare.

"We don't usually think of what it's like to be so near the end of our years, but we need to," Schwarze said.

Stein's wish is that the American public becomes more proactive in the voting process. He feels that the only way the public has a better chance of attaining their own per-

CONSIDER THIS:

• 13 women in American history have served as Governor

• In 1988.85% of the people polled declared a willingness to vote for a woman presidential candidlate

• Arizona currently has four women in officeGovernor, Secretary of State, Treasurerand Attorney General

• Pennsylvania has never elected a woman to the U.S.Senate, Governor or Lieutenant Governor's office or as State Attorney General (as of 1997)

Information obtained from the Internet sonal wishes is by investing their time and energy into being politically educated.

"If people take the time to vote, we can decide what we want," Stein said, "and not let the politicians to decide what is best for us."

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