Post-Standard - Westhill Teen Interviews Congressional Candidates

Interview

Post-Standard - Westhill Teen Interviews Congressional Candidates

Three candidates are running to represent Central New York in Congress: Democrat Dan Maffei, Republican Dale Sweetland and Green Populist Howie Hawkins. Westhill sophomore Kate Wawro contacted all three and asked them questions about issues of importance to teens. Kate wrote the following for Voices

The race for president is important, but what many people seem to being paying keen attention to is the race for Congress. This is the first time in more than two decades that the seat will be vacated.

Republican nominee Dale Sweetland, Green nominee Howe Hawkins and Democratic nominee Dan Maffei are all fighting a hard race for Congress. This race will undoubtedly change Central New York. So I was fortunate enough to sit down with the candidates and have them answer some questions on issues affecting teens.

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Daniel Maffei (Democrat)
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What would do to change education?

Well, education is the number one investment in our future. Children who are well educated will be healthier and happier. We need a greater commitment to education from the government. Only seven cents of every dollar goes to schools and I advocate ten cents for every dollar goes to education.
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How do you feel that the downturn in the economy is affecting teens?

I have been speaking in high schools recently and I always ask how many (students) will come back to Central New York to raise a family and only a few kids raise their hands. Then I ask how many students will definitely not come back to CNY to raise a family and almost everyone raises their hands. Teens are starting to think that Syracuse was important in the past but not now. They're losing interest in CNY. We need to create more jobs and a better future for Central New York.
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How do you feel that the dollar deficit is affecting teens?

Well, I already talked about education, Right now, we're asking teens to take on a mortgage without a house. It's a huge debt that teens will have to pay off.
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How do you feel about lowering the drinking age?

I have mixed feelings about lowering the drinking age. We allow people to vote and join the military. One thought I have is lower the drinking age but raise the voting age but that may not be popular. I do understand that teens feel it is unfair to join the military but not drink.
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How do you feel about lowering the voting age?

No, I don't think so. I've been asked if we could take a test for younger people, but then that becomes dangerous. We need one set age.
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Do you have any advice for teens wanting to get involved in politics?

The most important thing is to get involved and work on a campaign. You don't have to worry about working on the wrong campaign, like if you volunteer for a Republican party candidate and later decide you're a Democrat. Try to intern on a campaign. There is an election every year. That should give you an idea of what to do.

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