With foreign policy taking the forefront in this year’s election, voters may be tempted to put domestic issues on the backburner. The war in Iraq and the fight against terrorism are both very important issues to consider when casting your vote. However, we are faced with an abundance of problems at home that must not be ignored. Our nation’s jobs are being outsourced at an alarming rate, and unemployment is on the rise. Our children are entering the world without the proper education to face an increasingly competitive job market. Our dependence on foreign energy sources is weakening our power in global affairs.

America’s elder generation is facing a dilemma with rising prescription drug prices. To make matters worse, in the past four years, we have gone from a national surplus to one of the largest national deficits in our nation’s history. So, to say that foreign policy takes precedence over domestic policy in this year’s election is pure ignorance.

The two candidates stand in far distant corners when it comes to the economy. President Bush vows to create new homes, help small businesses, and train high-skilled workers. How does Bush plan to pay for his economic reforms? The only answer is to further increase the national debt. On the other hand, Senator Kerry promises to keep more jobs at home by cutting taxes for businesses that create jobs here instead of overseas. Kerry also vows to roll back Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent of Americans and cut the deficit in half in just four years. The major difference in both plans is that Kerry’s calls for higher taxes for the wealthiest Americans, while Bush’s plan will inevitably result in a deficit that either stays the same or goes up.

Kerry promises to lower the cost of prescription drugs by allowing importation from Canada. Bush stands by American drug companies and their higher prices rather than allowing competition from other nations. Which is more important — competition between American drug companies that provides economic stimulation, or lower drug costs for our elders?

President Bush promises to strengthen childhood development programs while upholding strict standards for our schools. But where are his plans for higher education? The price of college has risen by 35 percent in the last three years. John Kerry will offer a tax credit on up to $4,000 of tuition for every year of college while at the same time rewarding K-12 schools who improve their standards rather than taking away the vital resources of those who are unable to.

The choice on domestic issues in this election is simple. If you are in the top 2 percent of America’s economic bracket and don’t want your taxes raised to help fund domestic programs and decrease the deficit — vote for Bush. If you are part of the other 98 percent who want better healthcare, more job opportunities, money for college, and a lower deficit — vote for Kerry.

Patrick Callahan is an undeclared freshman.