It’s considered taboo to talk about politics at the dinner table. But at Pierce, political discourse is encouraged.
A Day of Politics, held in the Great Hall on Thursday, Oct. 24, put such topics as climate change, homelessness and healthcare up for debate. There was also a candidate panel.
Political Science major Gino Kacherov appreciated the event because it offered an opportunity for students to debate in a healthy manner.
“It’s great that we have a place where we can respectfully disagree with each other, and not get mad and start petty fights,” Kacherov said.
Student clubs and organizations participated in the event, such as Pierce College Democrats, Brahma Leftists, Students for Bernie, MEChA, Political Science Society, Associated Students Organization, Vegan Society, Young Republicans and AGS Honor Society.
Kicking off the event was candidate Loraine Lundquist, who is running for the District 12 seat in the Los Angeles City Council.
Lundquist addressed the Los Angeles housing crisis as part of her campaign.
“I would want to have locations for supportive housing within my first year,” Lundquist said. “It is a big problem that has built up over decades. It is not something that is going to be fixed overnight, but I want to create real change right away.”
After Lundquist’s opening statements, students debated healthcare and climate change issues, specifically Medicare for All and the New Green Deal.
The debates consisted of opening statements, challenges, rebuttals and interactions with the audience.
Lundquist’s opponent, John Lee was scheduled to make an appearance at the event, but did not show up.
Kacherov said that Day of Politics is important because it showcases how many different political views there are on campus. He also expressed concern about the rising dissatisfaction with the two-party system.
“I think more parties would be beneficial to our system,” Kacherov said. “We are pulling against our own political views and getting more far-left and more far-right. In other countries, if they have more parties the views are being spread and it’s not just one side against the other.”
Pierce College Democrats President Mai Abed agreed.
“I think it’s a bad idea to have a two-party system, we are fighting for a party instead of for a solution and for the people,” said Abed.
