Written By: Erin Robertson
James Richard “Rick” Perry, the current governor of Texas and a Republican presidential candidate for 2012, is hoping to take President Obama’s spot in next year’s election.
If Perry was to be elected as president, his major plans would intertwine taxes and foreign policy. Perry believes that our nation can only be secure when it has a strong economy. Using his track record of cutting taxes on small businesses and historic properties in Texas as proof, he supports balancing our budget by reducing spending, instead of adding new taxes.
Perry, if elected, plans to repeal “Obamacare”, claiming it is unconstitutional, will lower patient quality and raise taxes for all taxpayers.
Jasmine Roderick, an Old Dominion University freshman, says she would “not vote for a candidate repealing Obamacare because it extends towards college students who want to remain under their parents’ healthcare longer and those who will need healthcare after leaving school.”
Rick Perry expects that once spending is reduced and taxes are cut, the U.S. would regain leadership in the global economy. With that leadership, Perry trusts that we would be able to strengthen our relationships with both old and new allies. He would especially like to create alliances with middle-eastern nations.
Regarding U.S. troops in the middle-east, Perry states that “America should not be in the business of adventurism.”
Perry does not think we should take risks in relation to foreign policy without clear reasons for why our country’s interests are at stake. In addition to the need for distinct communication as to why our young men and women need to be deployed, he also feels there is an even greater need for a well-defined exit strategy.
Medicaid is a prime example for explaining Rick Perry’s plan to save tax dollars. Perry wants to create more jobs so that people will be able to have insurance through their employer, possibly putting a strain on public programs such as Medicaid.
Perry’s opinion at the moment regarding “Occupy Wall Street” protests remains unclear. One ODU sophomore stated that she “cannot take Perry seriously when he does not have an answer to questions regarding Occupy protests.”
