BLA Students Comment on the Upcoming U.S. Presidential Election

By Chelsey Skeete ’16 

As America calls for improvements in homeland security, gun control, healthcare, and the economy, the 2016 Presidential race gets tighter. BLA students are demonstrating their interests in the presidential election, especially since many seniors will be 18 years old and eligible to vote.

 Tales staff surveyed 50 BLA students about who they would like to be president. About 62% of the surveyed BLA students said that they would love to see Bernie Sanders as their next U.S. President. 

Sanders can be described as a democratic socialist who believes in defending the middle and lower class citizens of America. Sanders promises to expand social security and healthcare, reduce college student debt, and create more job programs for youth.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is currently beating Sanders in Iowa by a three point lead. Approximately, 35% of surveyed BLA students would like to see Clinton as the next U.S. President. Clinton recently attacked Sanders over gun control claiming that Sanders made a senate vote granting gun manufacturers immunity from prosecution when a gun is used in a crime.

 Still, the BLA community seems to be in strong support of Sanders. Zahraa Chouman ’16 states, “My top candidate would be Sanders because he’s fighting for equal rights and equal opportunity for everyone in America. He is looking for effective and efficient alternatives for changing America by creating an effective system for putting illegal immigrants on a pathway to citizenship rather than deporting all 11.6 million of them.”

 Chouman believes Sanders has a more effective plan on foreign policy than Donald Trump and will do more for the middle class.

 To say the least, Trump is not a favorable candidate here at Latin Academy. Only 3% of surveyed BLA students (just one student) said they want Trump to be the next President.

 Speaking against Trump, Aidan Gillis ‘21 stated, “Clinton has the most experience whereas Trump has none.” Christina Clauson ’16 stated, “As long as Trump doesn’t win, everything is cool.”

 Aisosa Omere ‘17 emphasized during the survey, “I feel that Clinton’s opinions demonstrate a good leader. Compared to Donald Trump she is more likeable.”

 Despite these early polls, it is still uncertain how the tables will turn later this year when people actually in the presidential primaries and general election. The results may dramatically change as more people pay attention to the race in preparation for voting day.