Two years ago, our nation nervously awaited the final days of Barack Obama and John McCain’s campaign-leading up to the most anticipated election in history. Obama sings in dorm windows and on office walls decorated the campus. Student organizations held one of the biggest get-out-and-vote campaigns to date at UNF.

But where is the follow through? President Obama is on television every week as he treks the nation begging for help. In Florida, UNF students are sitting by and watching Tea Party favorite Marco Rubio take the senate seat once held by quintessential statesman Bob Graham.

And worse news, despite endorsements from every newspaper editorial board across the state, including the Florida Times-Union, who hasn’t endorsed a Democrat since 1987, Alex Sink is still having trouble with Rick “I’ll Plead the Fifth” Scott.

Scott served as chief executive of Columbia/HCA, one of the largest hospital chains in the nation. Columbia/HCA ousted him when his company was accused of medicare fraud. Columbia/HCA settled with the U.S. government out of court for $1.7 billion, the largest settlement ever paid to the federal government.

Scott has refused to answer questions about his company’s fraudulent activities, but is quick to point out he’s the prime candidate thanks to his business leadership. But Scott’s only business experience is running a hospital business that defrauded doctors, seniors and the federal government. He has no business running our beloved Sunshine State.

Department of Community Affairs

Rick Scott wants to eliminate department of community affairs. But Sink understands the necessity of this department. The DCA claims to be the last line of defense in stopping rural communities to be over-developed.

The Abortion Issue

Scott thinks abortions are only OK under the circumstance of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is at risk. He would agree to a bill making it illegal to get an abortion after 20 weeks. Sink, would protect a woman’s right to choose and does not support the bill. She instead favors the current laws in Florida, although she maintains that parental permission is important when getting an abortion.

The Sad Reality

Neither candidate looks to have the ability to impress once elected. Too bad Kendrick Meek is stuck running last in the Florida Senate race and not running for governor.

In the last gubernatorial debate Oct. 25, Sink and Scott were both asked what the minimum wage is in the state of Florida. Neither could answer correctly. Talk about being out of touch with the working class.
It’s hard to do, but these candidates have managed to make Charlie Crist look like a good governor.
Regardless of Sink’s faults, putting a person like Scott in office is saying you no longer care about the future of Florida. And the only way to keep Scott out of Tallahassee is for college students to get out and vote. We were Obama’s margin of victory in 2008. If we sit out now, what the hell did we make such a fuss about two years ago?
When this election is over, know that you did everything you could for the future of Florida to rid our capital of corruption and the enrichment of special interests

Our Picks:

U.S. Senate: Kendrick Meek

Fla Governor: Alex Sink

Fla Senate: Deborah Gianoulis