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Monday, January 26, 2026

Metro | Politics

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Column: The sensationalism of Trump is concerning

Feb. 18, 2016

I don’t like Donald Trump. It’s pretty easy not to; the guy is a xenophobic, classist egomaniac. The only thing more obscene than the things he says is the height of his wispy, golden mane — which I’m convinced grows in direct proportion to the amount of attention he receives. Yet what scares me the most about Trump isn’t his call to ban Muslims from entering the U.S., nor is it his proposed $8 billion wall along the border of Mexico: It’s his sensationalism and what it means for the future of American politics.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Column: Is executive pay a cause of income inequality?

Feb. 17, 2016

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Donald Trump may seem extremely different in their views, but they are noticeably similar in their public appeal. Bernie is a democratic socialist who favors the European socialist way of running government, which involves government-imposed wealth equality via hefty taxes. Trump lies on the opposite end of the spectrum, believing in the magical powers of capitalism and pure competition. That’s right — a democratic socialist and the single-most capitalistic name in history could be duking it out this November. We may be in for quite the show.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Column: Post-mortem, post-Trump rally musings

Feb. 15, 2016

I’ve deliberately abstained from writing about the 2016 election. In both the Alligator and elsewhere, we are so constantly bombarded with election coverage and “hot takes” that I think the last thing the world needs is another college kid’s narrow perspective. However, I feel the need to describe my experience last Friday at the University of South Florida Sun Dome.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Column: The Electoral College - a transient election topic

Feb. 10, 2016

America’s Founding Fathers have proven to be among the most influential people to have ever walked Earth. Several of the ideas and philosophical concepts that helped build this country more than 200 years ago remain applicable today. However, as visionary as they might have been, not all parts of their original design stand the test of time. Like the Founding Fathers, the Electoral College needs to become a part of America’s history, not its reality.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Editorial: Pragmatic or idealistic, just vote

Feb. 2, 2016

If you, our fine readers, are anything like us in the Alligator office, you probably found yourselves glued to your computers and/or TV screens Monday night, eagerly anticipating/dreading the results of the Iowa caucus. As we all now know, evangelical and all-around bad human being Ted Cruz won for the Republicans with 27.6 percent of the vote and eight delegates, garbage-person and self-proclaimed “winner” Donald Trump came in second, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio had a surprise boost in support and finished third.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Column: Donald Trump isn't going away

Jan. 13, 2016

 A Donald Trump presidency would be a nightmare-come true for the entire entertainment world. Does this seem like too bold of a statement? Maybe. Did Trump initially seem too bold of a presidential candidate for this overly sensitive country? Sure. The crazy thing, despite Hollywood’s incessant preventative efforts, is that it could totally happen.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Column: Clinton's connections don't make up for her abysmal women's rights record

Jan. 10, 2016

Many maintain that Sen. Bernie Sanders has low odds of becoming the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, much less winning a general election. In spite of this, his platform and voting records are, by a considerable margin, the most thought-out and useful for women of any presidential candidate; many of his proposals are already in place in other developed democracies. The best example of this is paid family leave: Sanders has a clear way of paying for it, while Hillary Clinton’s plan is vague and doesn’t clearly outline who would foot the bill. It would be hard for Clinton to compete on policy alone. Thus far, her main edge over Sanders has stemmed from her name recognition and influence within the Democratic Party. A former advisor to President Obama, David Axelrod, even called the initial harsh penalties lobbied against Sanders for having access to Clinton’s voter data as “putting finger on scale” for Clinton.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Iowa caucus and the (hopeful) fall of Donald Trump

Jan. 6, 2016

Ever since the announcement of his campaign last summer, Donald Trump has been an unstoppable force in politics. Although most of his speeches are just ramblings about whatever controversial topic he feels like discussing that day, with nary a hint of a coherent policy in sight, many of his supporters like that he “speaks his mind.” Trump has had the privilege of high poll numbers and media attention despite his lack of experience in public service. But Trump’s campaign now faces a challenge that has felled many presidential campaigns in the past: the Iowa caucus.  

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Dear Misinformation: a critical response against ‘Dear Fat People’

Sep. 14, 2015

A paradox to consider: the Internet, one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century, is the medium of travel for the worst ideas of the 21st century. Nearly two weeks ago, on Sept. 3, YouTube personality Nicole Arbour published a video entitled "Dear Fat People." She maintains the purpose of the video is to encourage people to engage in better, healthier habits. But the question is, how exactly did she espouse her ideas?

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Multilingualism is not as scary as the GOP thinks

Sep. 8, 2015

In a recent interview with CNN, Carly Fiorina stated that despite admiring Jeb Bush’s multilingualism, English is the official language of the U.S. She seems to have forgotten that there are many cultures and languages represented within the U.S., each deserving to be understood and valued. While English is undoubtedly the default language, that doesn’t mean it is the official one.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Walls do not provide immigration permanent fix

Sep. 2, 2015

Illegal immigration has been a constant talking point of recent election cycles. But what was usually reserved as a single debate question late into the general election has become a front-and-center issue within the GOP primary. From the Great Wall of Trump to the more empathetic Bush, we are seeing the big-tent party hosting many opinions on this single issue.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Black Lives Movement needs legislative action

Aug. 26, 2015

Black Lives Matter has become the most powerful movement in the national dialogue. Whether you agree with it or not, its message of detailing the inherent racism in many aspects of American life has kick-started an important conversation about race as it pertains to ideas such as white privilege. In the interest of full disclosure, I support the movement; I have been in situations that would have had a tremendously different outcome were I not white. With that said, the movement has problems that need resolving if it is going to create lasting, meaningful change in the country.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

Rush Week: A Problematic Distraction

Aug. 25, 2015

The recent "controversy" over the recruitment video for the University of Alabama chapter of the Alpha Phi sorority was baffling. One critic, op-ed writer A.L. Bailey, rightfully derided the video as "so racially and aesthetically homogenous and forced, so hyper-feminine, so reductive and objectifying, so...unempowering." Snapchat provided live coverage of sorority rush week this past weekend, and anyone could readily observe that the problematic behavior criticized in the video is not only expected but is the norm.

Florida Alligator
METRO  |  POLITICS

'Politically incorrect' hinders social issues

Aug. 24, 2015

When someone embraces being politically incorrect, they really mean they are either: a) factually incorrect or b) a jerk. At the Aug. 6 Republican presidential debate, Donald Trump said, "I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either." Contrary to what Trump may believe, political correctness is not stopping relevant political discourse but, rather, pushing it toward the real issues.

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