US senator encourages URI students to discuss presidential election issues

10/15/08 - U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D - R.I.) came to the University of Rhode Island last night to speak with students in Swan Hall, where they asked questions ranging from the financial crisis to health care. With the presidential election drawing closer, Whitehouse began by encouraging students to get involved with the election.

"What happens between now and then will do a lot to influence [the election]. Your role in this is vitally important. The decisions you make now will affect the future," he said.

Whitehouse told students no matter whom they vote for, they "shouldn't sit this one out," and urged students to volunteer for the presidential campaigns.

The senator said like everyone, he has regrets, but "if you miss participating in something, that's the kind of regret that's hard to let go. This is that kind of moment for you."

The senator recalled the first election that caught his interest, the 1968 election with Robert Kennedy, George McGovern and Richard Nixon.

He said though much excitement revolved around the 1968 presidential election, the 2008 election seemed different than others.

"Now the stakes are higher. It's not just how very different the men running are. It's two different sets of substantive ideas," Whitehouse said.

Whitehouse said many problems facing America now could have been avoided if addressed earlier.

"[The financial crisis] did not have to happen," Whitehouse said. "This was not Ike, Gustav, or Katrina. This was a failure of the human system to protect against a credit crisis. We could have prevented it. I hope it's a teaching moment for us."

The senator also said the health care system and environmental problems were issues that could be prevented. According to Whitehouse, the health care system's current Medicare liability is $34 trillion.

"We have set aside $0 to pay for that," he said. "That's a serious problem we can't sustain. You can make a big difference if you start early."

Whitehouse noted that the melting of the Greenland icecap could result in a 24-foot sea level rise that can negatively affect Rhode Island, which is bordered by water.

He also explained the financial crisis on Wall Street, and said, "banks panicked. They didn't know whom they could lend to. The $700 billion helps free up other spending."

Whitehouse said the government put enough capitol into the banking system so banks are confident in lending to other banks.

He added the American government needed to find out why American people are being crushed by the economy. His solutions included not exporting American jobs overseas and making sure taxes from companies moving off shore are collected.

After Whitehouse spoke, audience members from the crowd of approximately 40 asked him questions, including how the credit crisis affects Rhode Island and how the Ocean State economy and funding for URI can be improved.

"This is not just a Rhode Island problem, but it has it a little worse," Whitehouse said. "Rhode Island has the second highest unemployment rate. We need to work harder on economic development and market what we're good at; health care. The problem is the way government has been done in the past eight years."

The senator said the way the American economy works for the family has to change. According to Whitehouse, the average family's income has decreased by $3,000, while expenses have increased by $4,600. Childcare expenses increased $1,500.

"That's $8,100. To lose $8,100 in buying power is a very, very hard hit," Whitehouse said.

Later another audience member asked Whitehouse why he supports Sen. Barack Obama for president. Whitehouse said both Senators Obama and John McCain are qualified, but that he thought McCain's ideas are wrong.

"As president, McCain isn't going to make every decision. He's going to fill his administration with Republicans," Whitehouse said. "The same policies, the same people, the same ideas. It's hard for me to see how he offers much change from President [George W.] Bush."

After Whitehouse spoke, Devin Driscoll, a field director from the Barack Obama campaign in Rhode Island informed students of how they can get involved in the Democratic campaign. For instance, this weekend there is a bus trip to New Hampshire, one of the election's battleground states, leaving from Providence, to let Rhode Islanders canvass in Nashua.

The Student Entertainment Committee sponsored the event.