The College Democrats, Libertarians and Republicans debated the problems with higher education, the PATRIOT Act and other issues as they related to students on Wednesday night in the Leonard Hall Chancery.
Each political group selected one representative to speak at the debate, which about 15-20 students attended.
College Democrats speaker Paul Jamain believes that the youth vote has become "disenfranchised" and that the price of higher education continues to increase because candidates do not care about the youth vote.
College Libertarians speaker Nicholas Sarwark had a different theory on college costs.
"Government involvement raises the price of higher education," Sarwark said.
Sarwark compared the price of education with food, saying that there are no problems finding food because the government does not subsidize food. Sarwark said that subsidizing increases prices because institutions can raise the prices knowing that people will pay.
Graham Gawrysiak, the College Republicans speaker, noted that AU has a higher tuition because of terrorism insurance. He also questioned if it's "even necessary for this many people to attend college."
The students also discussed employment, specifically focusing on outsourcing.
Jamain raised the argument that outsourcing is hurting Americans seeking employment. He said that college graduates have a 95 percent unemployment rate, meaning high school graduates have a better chance at getting jobs than college graduates do.
Gawrysiak disagreed, stating that it is the individual's responsibility to find his or her own jobs. Gawrysiak argued outsourcing helps the American economy.
The students also disagreed when it came to the PATRIOT Act.
Gawrysiak said that the same powers that the law gave the government to fight terrorism were already in affect against the mafia.
"But no one cares when it comes to the mafia," Gawrysiak said.
Both Jamain and Sarwark disagreed.
Sarwark believed that the rights of everyone must be protected, including the mafia. Both called the Patriot Act unconstitutional.
In terms of youth voting, Sawark said that "the youth don't vote because they got shit to do." He said that the older generations are the richest demographic, which makes candidates target them.
The audience asked their peers about the drinking age and the legalization of marijuana.
"I smoked pot before, and I will again," Gawrysiak said. He later said that what is done in the home should remain private, which is different from President George W. Bush, he said.
Sarwark said he believes the drinking age should be lowered and that marijuana should be legalized.
Jamain was unable to come to a conclusion.
In the end all the parties encouraged people to vote for their candidates.
Jamain stated Democratic candidate John Kerry should be elected because of his war experience and his Supreme Court nominations, which Jamain counts as being crucial because justices are elected for life, affecting things far beyond any individual president.
Sarwark feels confident voting for Libertarian candidate Michael Badnarik because he agrees with everything his candidate is for. Sarwark cites that both speakers Gawrysiak and Jamain expressed views opposite of their candidates, most notably the issue of same sex marriage.
Gawrysiak encouraged people to vote for what they believe in, but said that a vote for someone besides Bush or Kerry is a "wasted vote."
"Don't do what my mom does," said Gawrysiak, "and vote for who is better looking."
This was the last in a series of debates between the college political groups.
