The Pursuit of Learning

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Daniel Petrak

Research Paper

Jana Aaron

English Composition 112-059

April 23, 2008

The Pursuit of Learning

On May 18, 1963, President John F. Kennedy climbed atop a platform in the midst of a packed Vanderbilt football stadium, and reaching the climax of his oration, stated: "the educated citizen knows that the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all!" (American Rhetoric) More than forty four years later, on November 4, 2008, Americans will cast their vote for the forty-fourth President of the United States. In preparation for that day the educated citizen will indulge themselves in the unbiased study, examination, analysis, and exploration on the stances of each Presidential hopeful. Why? For the educated citizen is aware that 72% of Americans are currently dissatisfied, and two-thirds of America share a pessimistic outlook on the economy (Page). Moreover, the intellectual has read the accounts of over 4,000 dead men and women, who have sacrificed their lives in war-ravaged deserts far from their loved ones. However, the ignorant citizens have blindly permitted the corporate media to sway their feelings. They have thronged the streets with their anti-gay marriage banners, while across the street a gasoline store worker increases the price of gas to four dollars. They have patriotically supported a war which has desecrated the lives of over 90,000 Iraqi civilians, while a developing economic powerhouse continues to rise behind the shadows (Obama). Nevertheless, the

educated citizen is charged to persuade and enlighten the minds of their ignorant neighbors, for they know that the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.

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In analyzing each Presidential hopeful, let us embrace the characteristics of an educated citizen, one who does not concern themselves with personal muckraking and media bias. Rather, we will explore three of the most significant issues currently plaguing society, and furthermore investigate each candidate's respective stance. However, before the initial stages of research, we must put into consideration the role of the President of the United States. The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch, yet more specifically he is the Commander-in- Chief of the military, chief diplomat, chief executive, head legislator, leader of public opinion, and head of their political party (Longley). Therefore, the President bears an enormous amount of expectation and pressure, all the more adding to the significance of the election. Moreover, our solutions to each issue must parallel the principles of popular sovereignty—in which the President acts according to the interests of the people—according to the definition of a Representative democracy (USINFO). Overall, keeping in view of our ultimate focus to reach a final informed decision on one Presidential candidate, we will investigate the stances of each of the three Presidential hopefuls—Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and John McCain—and align their respective views to that of the three most important issues in which we have chosen with much scholarship and research: America's military status in Iraq, future economic reform, and U.S foreign policy concerning China.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans rallied around the flag displaying uncharacteristically-high acts of patriotism. Seven years later, 60 % of Americans feel that the invasion of Iraq—a nation blamed as a possible instigator of the attacks—was a mistake. What can account for this drastic epiphany? The most consistent research illustrates

that peace results with higher Presidential approval ratings and war results in lower approval ratings (Williams, 4). Furthermore, research shows that continual television coverage of

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violence-related events increases feelings of anxiety and insecurity among the public (Williams, 6). Therefore, perhaps we may conclude that the War in Iraq has caused anxiety among the public, leading to pessimism and distrust of the government. Moreover, the War in Iraq has oftentimes been compared to the situation in Vietnam, in that it lacked sufficient justification. On the other hand, some respond saying that if the United States pulls out it would indicate that the U.S had failed in aiding a potentially rich country (Last). Another counter attack argues that an inevitable total collapse in Iraq would surely take place if a sudden pullout does in fact occur (Page). Yet, is it true