Local candidates share views with Edison students
by Cordelia TalleyAs the political season heated up, candidates approached registered voters and made the rounds to reach out to tomorrow’s voters as well. Edison/Fareira High School students are learning first-hand about politics and the issues that motivate candidates to involve themselves in the process. Social studies department chair, Mr. Stanley Markuszka, invited candidates to his contemporary issues class to give students an overview of varying political viewpoints. Republican mayoral candidate, Sam Katz, Hilda Cuzco, City Council-at-Large Socialist Worker candidate, and Juan Ramos, Democratic City Council-at-Large candidate, have come to the school as part of the Student Voices Project which tries to interest students in the democratic process. The candidates and issues of this year’s election for mayor and city council have been studied.
Each candidate discussed the issues that effect today’s voter that will be important for these students in the near future as they exercise their civic duty. The students were encouraged to become involved in their communities. The young people demonstrated their interest in question and answer sessions following each presentation.
On Wednesday, October 22, Hilda Cuzco visited Edison to make students aware of the needs and burdens of the
working class. She also explained
why the Socialist Worker campaign is a viable option to the two major
capitalist political parties that have "mired workers in economic
depression." Cuzco is currently a meat packer and seeks the position to
serve as a vehicle to discuss ideas to facilitate change. She believes
it is essential to launch a campaign to unite forces within the
community to address the economic crisis that workers face. She
acknowledges the deficiencies in the areas of housing and education
that are specific to Philadelphia. Cuzco proposes government
subsidies to guarantee accessible and affordable housing for all
working people. Cuzco also promotes the idea of free postsecondary
education. The current system of taxpayers bearing these burdens
would also be replaced by major contributions from large
corporations. The Socialist Worker platform is based on a model in Cuba that is organized under one leadership putting more decision-making power in the hands of the workers themselves. The party also calls on the government to respond to the voice of the people to deal with a host of serious concerns. High on the list is the call to remove troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Other demands include ending immigration raids in factories, stopping farm foreclosures by banks, shortening the work week, raising the minimum wage and providing COLA protection, abolishing the death penalty, normalizing relations with Cuba, organizing and strengthening trade unions, and defending women’s right to choose abortion.
In response to questions from students, Cuzco suggested lowering the age for youth to get jobs and also the voting age to 16.
Junior, Nilsa Adorno, initiated contact with Juan Ramos after his recent classroom visit. She was interested in the actual campaign process and was invited to personally follow Ramos for a day. Her day of discovery began at the corner of Broad and Olney on Thursday, October 23, where Ramos was getting the message out to the people. He told passersby of his intentions as a council member and asked people their opinions of what they thought the city needed. Nilsa was surprised that Ramos was often rejected by disinterested voters and suffered some verbal taunts as well. They moved on the Oak Lane Diner were voters voiced their concerns about raising taxes.
Unfortunately,
Ramos had an important commitment and the day was cut short for Nilsa,
but he invited her to continue her "shadowing" on Saturday, October 25
at Norris Square Park. Locals at a neighborhood festival received
campaign t-shirts and eagerly questioned the candidate about school
funding. He indicated his support for Governor Rendell’s tax
hike. He also discussed his commitment to helping the community
improve the neighborhood. Candidates running for other local offices
appeared at the festival along with the incumbent, Mayor Street, who
posed for pictures with Nilsa. He responded to concerns about
funding for stadiums when the need is so great for schools. He
defended his position stating that the plans for funding for both are
beneficial to the city. Stadium construction provides jobs and
money has been allocated to build new schools and renovate old ones.Nilsa has gained much insight and respect for the perseverance of those running for political office. She now understands the purpose of city council and what politicians want to do to improve the city. Citing the enormous amount of effort that campaigning requires, Nilsa said, "I wouldn’t want to be a part of that, but I would vote when I am able to." In hope of Ramos’ victory, she indicated, "I will be really disappointed if Ramos doesn’t win."
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