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Elections
Election Connection
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By Kaylee Anderson and Audrey Inglish
With the presidential election fast approaching, our country feels more divided than at any time in recent history. President Donald J Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have taken slander campaigning to a new level.
Being a part of their parties makes people open to the opposing side’s ridicule and ire. Many middle ground politicians are not considered because the extremes of the Democratic and Republican parties are chosen over them. “To be a representative you either have to be completely the right or completely the left, which I think makes it really hard to be a middle person,’’ said NS social studies teacher Chris Hoopes. “I think that there are probably some really good middle people that represent either party, but that is overlooked a lot because the parties are so one way or the other. It is really dysfunctional and negative.”
Political stance did not used to be a deciding factor for whether or not someone got respect, trust or friendship. Because of the back and forth cal views are seen as an enemy.
“Forty years ago, when asked to rate how ‘favorable and warm’ their opinion of each party was, the average Democrat and Republican said they felt OK-ish about the opposite party. But for four decades now, partisans have increasingly turned against each other in an escalating cycle of dislike and distrust — views of the other party are currently at an all-time low,” said Lee Drutman in “How Hatred Came to Dominate American Poli With increasing polarization in the political sphere, democracy as a whole is at risk.
“It’s bad news for a democracy when 60 to 70 percent of people view fellow citizens of the other party as a serious threat,” Drutman said. “And the more the parties continue to unify their supporters by casting the other party as the enemy, the higher this number will rise.” towards villainizing the opposing opinion, some feel that both parties should spend the time and energy on reaching across the aisle to see the alternate perspective.
“I think that there needs to be a balance of understanding of either side,” said Hoopes.
But instead of striving for understanding, people in the current political climate will only listen to the opposing side long enough to pick apart their argument and who they are as a person. The parties focus more on attacking their opponents than advocating for their own intentions.
“Republicans and Democrats can’t please into their party and want their issue to be prioritized,” Drutman said. “But in a polarized two-party system, they can make it clear why the other party is bad.”
Given the current concerns, political journalists have made predictions on the long have on democratic society.
“The growing partisan hatreds and the forces driving them have been a long time in the making,” Drutman said. “It’s possible they are coming to an end. But more than any other time in the last century and a half, they are testing the very foundations of American democracy.”
However, despite the slandering of the presidential election, the race for Utah Gov-
running mates have decided to come together with unique ads promoting respect and unity. “We talked about how we can disagree without hating each other,” Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox said. “No matter who wins, we come together as Americans and so we’re hoping that Utah can set an example for the rest of the nation.” Cox approached Peterson about creating a series of ads in which both candidates appear to talk about the importance of civility and kindness during the election. also included a message that they would accept the results of the elections at all levels, regardless of the outcome. These videos have been seen by millions of viewers, and spotlights on the videos were shown on news outlets across the country, including Good Morning America, the Today Show, CNN, and MSNBC. They have also run internationally in the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, Mexico, and many others. “America is hungry for civility,” Cox said. This call to good citizenship and mutual respect has proven to be one that most people NS students support Trump despite negative tone
By Jacob Cox
In a recent poll at NS high school, the majority of students indicated that they would vote for Donald Trump. The poll showed that 53 percent of students would vote for Trump, while just 32 percent would vote for Biden, with 15 percent indicating that they would wish neither man be elected.
“I would vote for Trump because everything he said he would do, he’s done,” said sophomore Darld Swapp, “and Joe Biden, over the forty-seven years he’s been in politics, he didn’t do nothing. Donald Trump’s done a heck of a lot more than Biden.” Currently in the national polls, Biden is leading Trump. According to polls if the election were now, Biden would be the next president. ButTrump has come from behind before, and he could make a big comeback with some of the states who are borderline right now. “I think that it will be very hard to unseat Trump,” said teacher Tyler Bailey, “and I think that president Trump will win re-election. I think it will be closer this presidential election than it was last time. I don’t think he’s going to carry all of the states that he did in 2016, but I do think that president Trump will win the re-election.”
While people have strong opinions about who should be our next commander in chief, most agree that the current path to the White House has been ablaze with nasty rhetoric and uncivilized behavior.
The presidential debates are the greatest example of the nastiness that has permeated this election cycle. Many see both ing only to talk about how the other candidate is wrong.
“I feel like the presidential debates are absolutely hilarious to watch,” said senior Kaje Nielsen. “They really portray how bad of shape America is right now.”
Others at NS felt the same way. Students in the recent NS Times survey offered the following comments about the nature of the debate:
“It was a national embarrassment with an unfortunate lack of maturity shown on both sides.”
“Very disrespectful.”
“One of the most embarrassing displays I have ever seen.”
While there is disagreement about who mostly is responsible for the problem we now face, most agree that there is at least some culpability from both sides.
“They’re so worried about being right,” Bailey said, “and I guess we’re at the point in this country where in order for me to be right, someone else has to be wrong. That’s not a good place for us to be politically. I think we can both be right together, and I think we can both be wrong together. There is this idea now adays in politics that’s now spreading to other fascist societies that somebody has to lose in order for me to win, and I don’t feel that it’s the best way for citizens as a whole.”
Regardless of who is responsible per sonally, many believe that our two-party system is not producing the greatest possi ble candidates who represent the people.
“I feel like we’re divided because we are only presented with two big party op tions. When our founding fathers came up with our government, they weren’t intending it to be like this,” said teacher Emily Revoir. “So anyone who kind of falls in the middle or likes things from both parties is forced to choose one or the other, so there is nowhere for people to stand in the middle. They either have to be far on the one side or the other side. I think that’s why. It’s because you either have to choose this one or that one.”
NS TIMES POLITICAL POLL
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running mates have decided to come together with unique ads promoting respect and unity. “We talked about how we can disagree without hating each other,” Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox said. “No matter who wins, we come together as Americans and so we’re hoping that Utah can set an example for the rest of the nation.” Cox approached Peterson about creating a series of ads in which both candidates appear to talk about the importance of civility and kindness during the election. also included a message that they would accept the results of the elections at all levels, regardless of the outcome. These videos have been seen by millions of viewers, and spotlights on the videos were shown on news outlets across the country, including Good Morning America, the Today Show, CNN, and MSNBC. They have also run internationally in the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, Mexico, and many others. “America is hungry for civility,” Cox said. This call to good citizenship and mutual respect has proven to be one that most people NS students support Trump despite negative tone
plays I have ever seen.”
While there is disagreement about who mostly is responsible for the problem we now face, most agree that there is at least some culpability from both sides.
“They’re so worried about being right,” Bailey said, “and I guess we’re at the point in this country where in order for me to be right, someone else has to be wrong. That’s not a good place for us to be politically. I think we can both be right together, and I think we can both be wrong together. There is this idea nowadays in politics that’s now spreading to other fascist societies that somebody has to lose in order for me to win, and I don’t feel that it’s the best way for citizens as a
Regardless of who is responsible personally, many believe that our two-party system is not producing the greatest possible candidates who represent the people.
“I feel like we’re divided because we are only presented with two big party options. When our founding fathers came up with our government, they weren’t intending it to be like this,” said teacher Emily Revoir. “So anyone who kind of falls in the middle or likes things from both parties is forced to choose one or the other, so there is nowhere for people to stand in the middle. They either have to be far on the one side or the other side. I think that’s why. It’s because you either have to choose this one or that one.”
governor, congress, school board
By Carson Hadley and Caden Clawson
With election day swiftly approaching, it is important to be aware of all the races that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, instead of just focusing on the presidential election. These other elections may have more of an impact upon Sanpete county than the race for president.
Utah Governor
One of the biggest elections taking place in Utah this year is the race of governor. The June primaries lead to Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox being nominated as the Republican candidate and University of Utah law professor, Chris Peterson, as the Democratic candidate for governor.
Cox, a Sanpete county native and NS alumnus, says that being from a rural community tive on several important issues in facing Utah today. If elected, nor from Sanpete county. ent, it’s really hard for people to Cox said. “They don’t understand some of the challenges that we face, with education for example. They don’t understand the lack of jobs that are available.”
Some of these issues that Cox would focus on if elected include education, housing prices, transportation, and clean air.
“The price of housing and transportation issues, and clean air, all of those are really important,” Cox said. “For me, just as important, if not more important, is economic development in rural Utah. Making sure that we have jobs for our kids so that they can live here in Sanpete county if they want to.”
As far as education goes, Cox has some ideas on how to im
“Education is a huge one for me,” Cox said. “We have a teacher shortage in our state, we need to do more, we need to pay our teachers more and make sure that more young people want to become teachers.”
Cox’s opponent, Democratic nominee Chris Peterson, has some of the same concerns as Cox, but they disagree on solutions for these issues.
“We agree on the things that need to be solved, we just disagree on how to solve them,” Cox said.
Peterson’s campaign was not available for comment, but according to his website, if elected, Peterson plans to focus on education, economic support, healthcare, managing public lands and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, among other things.
Despite their disagreements about how to best serve Utah’s needs, Cox and Peterson have recently appeared in campaign advertisements together as a way to advocate for unity and cooperation amid the current political climate.
The advertisements have gotten so much attention around the nation and worldwide due to their message of unity and respect despite political disagreements.
Utah’s 4th Congressional District
In stark contrast to the relatively clean and respectful gubernatorial election, is the race for Utah’s 4th congressional district between Democratic candidate Ben McAdams and Republican candidate Burgess Owens.
The 4th congressional district includes the northern part of Sanpete county along with parts of Juab, Utah, Salt Lake counties.
These negative ads have caused many voters and future voters to feel frustrated and disgusted.
“It makes me more disappointed than anything else because I feel that both sides are already just ignoring each other’s points,” said sophomore Ava Lamb. “The negative ads
While the election for Congress does not have as big an impact as the Presidential Election, it’s vital to Utah’s interest in Washington. It’s an important race, especially because it is rare that
Utahns elect a dem ocrat to represent them.
“I think that it’s good we’re talking about it and paying attention,” Lamb said. as extreme as the presidential election, similarities.”
Local School Board
Another local election that will have a big impact on Sanpete county and NS is the race for North Sanpete School Board. This year, the representative from NSSD voting district 1, Stacy Goble, is up for re-election. Goble is running against Dan Rasmussen of Spring City.
Goble has served on the school board for the past eight years and is seeking to be elected for her third term.
“It’s an opportunity for me to give back to the community for all the things that the school and the school district did for me in my life,” Goble said.
Goble is a resident of Mount Pleasant and an NS alumna.
“I’ve been born and raised in this community and I attended North Sanpete, graduated from there, and it just runs kind of deep in my soul,” Goble said. “I’m very proud to be a Hawk.”
If she is re-elected, Goble hopes to continue to build on the growth and success the board has had during her previous two terms.
Running against Goble is challenger Dan Rasmussen, a teacher in the South Sanpete School District.
“The main reason is that I see that there are areas that need improvement and my insight would help the board be able to make those improvements,” Rasmus sen said.
In his 17 years of teaching, Rasmussen has been able school board decisions have on teachers and students. tive being on the front lines,” Rasmussen said. “[Actually] being in the trenches, I get a on certain topics.”
If he is elected, Rasmussen hopes to be able to improve the management of technology in NSSD and help provide students with needed support.
Like the congressional elections, board members are elected by certain voting districts. But unlike congressional elections, once they are elected, board members represent the entire school district, not just their voting district. tion and personal opinion, Cox has advice for everyone.
“It’s just really important to vote,” Cox said. “That’s the foundation of our country and everyone needs to get involved and make sure that their voice is heard by casting their vote.”
Biden 32%
Governor
