With the general election just weeks away, political student groups met in 110 Wartik Lab Monday night for a debate co-sponsored by the Political Science Association (PSA) and the NAACP.
Three representatives of the College Republicans, two of the College Democrats and the president of the College Libertarians debated questions pertaining to taxes and energy.
The first question proposed by PSA moderator Blaire Patrick, activism committee chairwoman, regarded tax cuts and which economic class should receive them.
Casey Crisman-Cox, a debater for the College Democrats, said tax cuts to the middle class would benefit the country most. He said tax breaks for the middle class would help to stimulate the economy.
Alex Weller, president of the College Libertarians, said he would encourage tax cuts for everyone and didn't support separating people into classes.
"I just view people as individuals," he said.
Weller said taxes should be reduced as much as possible, but if the designated upper class is taxed then a "lower propensity to save and invest" exists.
Samuel Settle, a debater for the College Republicans, also rejected the notion of classes. Settle said when the taxes of the upper class are cut revenue increases.
"Everyone can win in this system, my friends," he said. "We don't need to victimize one class."
The debaters then responded in turn with their opinions on how the United States' budget is used.
Frank Gunter, a debater for the College Republicans, said all parties believe Americans' tax dollars are not well spent. Gunter took a poll of the audience, asking them if they thought the government is efficiently spending tax dollars.
One audience member raised his hand jokingly, prompting laughter in the lecture hall.
Crisman-Cox said the war is costing billions of dollars a month. He said the money could be invested at home in tax breaks for the middle class and healthcare.
The candidates responded to questions about energy and addressed seeking oil on United States' soil.
Rory Spangler, a debater for the College Democrats, said there have been discussions about changing to alternative energy. Spangler said America must also cut its foreign oil needs and "look at how to help people at the pump today."
The College Libertarians representative spoke about repealing some bans on offshore drilling. Weller said energy should not be left to the government, but rather to markets.
"It's not the job of the government to decide our energy policy," he said, later adding the government must support private property rights.
Crisman-Cox pushed alternative energy, saying oil is not the future and research on solar and wind energy is progressing.
"We can't pull the plug," he said. "There is simply too much progress being made."
Alex Smith, College Republicans Chairman, said no reason was given as to why drilling still can't occur. He said drilling could take place and other options could be explored.
Kirin Kennedy, president of the Penn State NAACP, said the event saw a good turnout and it served to educate.
"I think it promoted discussion, but also promoted students to research more," she said.
Brittany Thomas, president of the PSA, said the three clubs decided the topics and the questions were written by the PSA. She said the issues are on the minds of all Americans, especially college students.
The format of the event included a PSA moderator proposing a question to the groups, which were invited to have two to three debaters, and they were given three minutes to answer, Thomas said.
Another debate is scheduled for Oct. 20 with a time and place to be announced, she said.
