Mainstream news media would like to keep Americans under the illusion that there is only a two-party system, but there are viable third party options. In November, I plan on voting for Jill Stein because her views are consistent with my political ideology. I urge those who read this list to reconsider who they are voting for, do more research, and challenge others, because all our futures depend on it. Again, this election is #InOurHands. Here are the two reasons why all students should give Stein high consideration. These two issues are the critical aspects of Stein's platform that should raise eyebrows for the younger generations in America.
Student Debt
The 2016 election will be one of the most significant elections ever for Millennials. According to the Pew Research Institute this year marked a major shift in the populous; Millennials have overtaken Baby Boomers as the largest generation in the United States. Millennials are going to be the most directly affected population in this election.
Jill Stein is proposing to wipe all of our student debt. Thats right, 43 million people, 1.2 trillion dollars, gone! Her plan is to use quantitative easing, which simply put, means that the Federal Reserve purchases debt from a particular entity, specifically banks that give out loans or treasury bonds. The Federal Reserve extended this power in 2008 when they started to buy mortgage-backed securities and other forms of long-term debt in order to loosen up the housing market. This logic can translate exactly into student loans. Using QE on student loans it would functionally wipe the debt while at the same time lowering the interest rates for future loans. Our futures are in peril; we can’t get jobs, and we can’t do what we are passionate about. In 2012, QE3 started a bond-purchasing program for mortgage-backed-securities (just watch "The Big Short"), so why can’t QE4 be for student loans?
Energy
The environment is the largest immediate danger to people as a civilization. The Earth is heating up, which will result in rising sea levels, mass drought, ocean acidification, desertification, and a massive refugee crisis. The United Nations has stated that the potential refugees due to climate change will be more significant than the current Middle-East refugee crisis. For all of these reasons there needs to be a significant change to the United States energy policy. Stein proposes a Green New Deal similar to the one passed by Franklin Roosevelt to get us out of the Great Depression. This plan includes creating millions of jobs by rebuilding American infrastructure, from roads to the electrical grid (which currently has been given a D rating by the Society of Engineers). Additionally, she plans on prioritizing a transition in our society to a solely renewable energy system by diminishing investments for fossil fuels. Although you may be skeptical of this system, other countries in the world are leading a similar charge towards renewable energy. For example, Germany has been ramping up its alternative energy to diminish harmful energy sources like nuclear and fossil fuels. Just only two months ago, Germany was able to run 95 percent of its energy needs via alternative energy (according to Science Alert.com, which means that it is not out of the realm of possibility). This energy revolution would not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also create millions of jobs for working class Americans.
