Lesser of Evils

In any political candidate debate, they look professional, they don't directly answer any of the questions and turn each questions around to attack their opponents.  This is a typical way they deal with anything.  A lot of voters today feel like the politicians running for office have a lot of empty promises and are only saying what they think voters want to hear. 

People seem to have lost faith in their government and don’t believe a word of what they have to say, especially when it comes to voting time.  Are they saying it only to get votes or are they saying it to actually change the economy and help America?

Many people, especially voters between the ages of 20 and 40, have the same opinion as Brian Lytle.  That all they want is your vote and your money.

“Honestly all they are telling us are all lies just to get reelected,” said Lytle.  “They don't care as long as they get their money.”

What are today’s politicians promising voters and America? 

There is just one Democrat candidate running for president that is always in the news, President Barack Obama.  Obama is promising to create more jobs and that he is going to help the economy turn around. 

The Republican candidates running for president are Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.  Romney has promised that if elected, he will get the government out of business, proposes lowering personal, investment and corporate taxes, to offset the revenue loss.  He also wants to reduce non-defense government spending by cutting regulations and government departments, and is in favor of returning some of the federal power to the state level.  Santorum is promising to cut the budget deficit, balance the federal budget in five years, and to not cut the defense budget.  He also plans to help the economy, global warming, energy independence, the steel industry, and other manufacturing.

Out of everything that they have said, do you actually believe what is coming out of their mouths?  I know I don't.  I am tired of being lied to, but it is not like it will change anytime soon, so when it comes to election time I will choose the lesser of evils.  It is either that or write in Roseanne Barr, as she is also running, but in the Green Party. 

Let’s start with Obama.  His approval rating is currently at a 65%.  25% of voters think he is doing a great job as president and 40% disapprove.  The other 35% had no opinion.  Many people believe that Obama is spending too much money on his campaign and not spending enough time as being America’s president.  I agree.

I think it is better to fix the problems that we have now, rather than make speech after speech of what you’re supposedly going to do once in office. 

Obama has stated that he will create more jobs and to help the economy turn around.  Didn’t he promise all of that in the last election?

Mitt Romney is in second place for the presidential polls.  He has good speeches and tells voters what they want to hear, just like every politician, only better.  Romney has made promises that he will turn the economy around and that students graduating from college will be guaranteed a job. Romney has recently been in the news talking about how he compares Obama’s promises to a Kardashian marriage, that it’s all-false and won’t have a good ending.

“You know, I’ve been looking at some video clips on YouTube, of President Obama, then candidate Obama, going through Iowa making promises,” said Romney. “The gap between his promises and his performance is the largest I’ve seen since, well, the Kardashian wedding and the promise of ‘till death do us part.’ ”

Then there is Santorum.  Santorum is in the lead in the polls, taking Romney’s stance, and is just bad-mouthing every candidate, especially Obama.  Santorum has made promises such as lowering the price of gas, create more jobs, repeal ObamaCare, ban gay marriage and abortion, and send more troops overseas.  Lately Santorum is trying to appeal to the Independent Party, as well as the Republican Party. 

Lastly, there is Roseanne Barr with the Green Party.


Barr has made it quite clear that she doesn’t think that any of these two parties are living up to their promises and has taken it upon her, to run for president.


“The Democrats and Republicans have proven that they are servants - bought and paid for by the 1 per cent - who are not doing what's in the best interest of the American people,” Barr said.  “Vote for me, I’ll fix this shit!”


If Barr becomes the official candidate for the Green Party, she will campaign to make war illegal, legalize marijuana, change the demographics of government, and outlaw bullshit.  The Green Party’s presidential nominee will be selected at a convention in Baltimore in July.

It is still too soon to determine who to vote for, if any of them, really.  No one will truly know if what they are saying is true, unless they get elected.  So I encourage all of you to think before voting.  Don’t vote for someone just because they’re in the lead or because they seem the most popular.  Vote for someone who appeals to you and to you can relate more to.  If that is no one that is ahead, remember there is always a write-in.  Candidates can still win by a write in.  Just remember to do your research before voting, you don’t want to make the wrong decision.


At-A-Glance:


Barrack Obama
Mitt Romney
Rick Santorum
Roseanne Barr
 

Beth Hogeland:LBCC's New Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development

Taken by Amanda Hayden.

Beth Hogeland has been named the new vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development and will be replacing Carol Schaafsma, once she retires in June.

"Beth is highly qualified to become the next Executive Vice President of LBCC.  As a faculty member and a division dean, Beth demonstrated her commitment to helping students succeed and her passion for serving our local communities," said Carol Schaafsma, the current vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development.  "She is a thoughtful and inspiring leader.  The students and faculty at LBCC are lucky to have the chance to work with her as Vice President."

As soon as people walk into Beth Hogeland's office, they are instantly greeted by the smell of roses and lilies that just fill the room. Hogeland is often occupied behind her desk, but is always welcoming to visitors. Her office is mostly bare, apart from the handmade quilt on her wall, the glittery butterflies hanging from the ceiling, and pictures. She has very few pictures on her desk, but the ones that she does have, are a picture of someone that she knows and then a picture of her new dog.

She has a quiet, gentle demeanor and was really surprising when she playfully shouted at her assistant and asked what she is most famous for. 

Hogeland has served as dean for the Liberal Arts, Social Systems, and Human Performance division since 2009. She also served as dean of LBCC Family Resources and Education from 2002 to 2009. Apart from being dean for the past 10 years, Hogeland has also taught at LBCC. She was a teacher here for 12 years and has been here for a total of 21 years.

Hogeland holds a doctorate degree in human development and family science as well as a master’s in education and a bachelor’s in child development and elementary education.

"I've only known Beth for a couple of years, but I would have to say that her work ethic stems from a commitment to our students and to making LBCC a place for people to thrive. The "community" aspect of our community college is important to her," said Scott McAleer, an instructor for history.   "Reading between the lines a bit it seems to me that she see's LBCC as much more than the sum of its parts. She sees the whole community and I think the VP position is an ideal platform for her to foster that vision of the college. Its a bitter sweet transition for our division however because we will miss having her as our Dean."

What is Hogeland most famous for?

Hogeland helped bring family resources onto this college. She helped train the staff and has designed to make the community a better place. Hogeland has a background working with kids and family's.

Any faculty, and students, that either know her or have met her, have nothing but kind words to say.

“Beth has an outstanding work ethic and is really devoted to LBCC,” said Jeff Davis, Regional Director for Benton County. “She has invested so much time into child development, the athletics, the arts, just so many areas of this college. She knows what students like and I am very excited that she is the new vice president.”    

Commuter: What is your first act of business as the new vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development?

Beth Hogeland: I can’t answer this question just yet, as I won’t be replacing Carol Schaafsma until June 30. However, over the next couple of months are going to be full of training and hiring a replacement for my current position.

C: Why did you choose this career path?

B.H.: I applied for this position because I want to feel like I am giving something back to this college. This is going to be the last job I do before I retire and I just want to make sure that I leave here in a better place and make sure that I help in any way I possibly can.

C: What experience do you have?

B.H.: While I don’t have any experience as vice president, I do have experience at this college. I have been a dean here for the past 10 years and have also taught here for 12 years.  I know how students learn and what they need to achieve their goals.

C: What do you think will be the most challenging part of your new job?

B.H.: The job will be the most challenging. I have never done this before and there are still so many things that I do not know. 

C: What do you think will be the most rewarding part of your job?

B.H.: I hope that I will be able to help the entire school, rather than just parts of it. I hope to be able to see that what I have invested my time and resources in, makes a difference.

At-a-Glance:

Who: Beth Hogeland

What: New vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development

Where: SSH-101A

Email: hogelab@linnbenton.edu

Phone: 541-917-4911