Addressing a pair of political science classes on the University campus, Andre Heinz, stepson of presidential candidate John Kerry, delivered the message that students need to be politically active this election year.
“If you are one of the 68 percent in your age bracket that do not vote, shame on you,” Heinz said.
“You all know right from wrong. You all know when you are being snowed, it just takes a little effort to go out and do the work.”
Regarding the job and health care crisis facing Ohio, Heinz listed the figures, indicating that continued support by the Bush administration for outsourcing has hindered the US economic recovery.
“In the past four years, in Ohio alone, the state lost of 236,000 jobs, of which 170,000 were manufacturing jobs. Since President Bush has taken office 114,000 Ohioans have lost their health insurance.”
“Where you have a long tradition of manufacturing, and more rural areas, fiscal choices and government decisions have really turned their back on the needs of states, like Pennsylvania and Ohio. They only can hope to remain competitive when you have an educated population. In order to have an educated population, we have to make education affordable and worthwhile,” Heinz said
Speaking on education, Heinz outlined the shortcomings of the current system and detailed the benefits proposed by the Democratic ticket. “College tuition in Ohio has increased by more than $2,000 at four year public institutions.”
“State budget cuts, fueled by the recession under Bush, have forced colleges across the country to hike tuition,” Heinz said.
To remedy this situation, Heinz mentioned a service for education program advocated by John Kerry and John Edwards which would offer students full and partial tuition to those who participate in community service, as well as a tax credit up to 4,000 dollars available to all students.
Heinz said that eliminating the inefficiency that is already in the education system would pay for this program.
Following his Bowling Green visit, Heinz moved on from Toledo University to Oberlin College. There he planned to observe the Environmental Studies Program, an area of particular interest to him.
