The Issues

INVOLVEMENT

The College Democrats are committed to fighting student apathy on campus. We engaged in a Voter Initiative for the primary which saw a 1000% increase in on-campus voting from the prior election cycle, and are excited to work for a similar increase in the general election. If you need to register to vote in Maryland, please visit the Maryland State Board of Elections. If you would like to help, please contact president@umddemocrats.com. With your help, we can return to the student activism and involvement of the 1960s and make government work for us again.

COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY

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rise every year, making college affordability less of a reality to many Marylanders and Americans. A college education should be a right for every American without being bogged down by unsurmountable college loan debt. That is why it is important for the Governor to freeze tuition costs in our state. As Board of Regents member Orlan Johnson told the College Democrats in February, the work-force in the state is skilled, and people cannot be an active part of the work-force without a college education. If you have good enough grades and scores to get into college, we believe that financial reasons should not inhibit students from pursuing careers in a booming Maryland economy and skilled workforce.

THE ENVIRONMENT

At a time when global warming threatens our world, gas prices threaten our way of life, and storm-water runoff threatens our waterways, the College Democrats need to take action. The College Democrats believe that our country should become less dependant on foreign oil and seek alternatives to burning hazardous fossil fuels. Also, storm-water runoff threatens our waterways in two ways. 1) It allows hazardous poisons such as nitrogen and phosphorous to enter our rivers and streams through runoff from parking lots, rooftops, and sidewalks. 2) It causes erosion on our shores by having a large excess of water added to streams that weren't designed to accept and recycle that volume of water. webassets/oilrig.jpg

There is only one environment and environmental issues are global issues that spread far beyond any political boarders. That is why the College Democrats support global warming and storm-water runoff reform legislation currently being heard in Annapolis. The College Democrats also support Congressional initiatives to seek alternative energy sources and put restrictions on gas-guzzling, high emission vehicles. There should also be nation wide initiatives to reduce storm-water runoff with such tools as green rooftops and parking-lot vegetation.

To learn more about global warming click here

FOREIGN POLICY

The College Democrats believe that diplomatic missions are a cost-effective, universal, and first solution to many of the world problems. However, when diplomatic endeavors fail, force is an important option to rely upon to defeat threats against our country. That is why it is imperative that our government acknowledge and recognize real threats and that our officials listen to military generals on their feelings regarding foreign policy when it comes to war. The quagmire in Iraq, created by the Bush administration, is inexcuseable in so many fronts including its foundation and course. The President cannot continue to have a rubber stamp in congress for his Iraq war commands. He must be checked by the Democratic congress and restricted from further American humiliation in connection with the war.