Thursday’s Academic Forum presented the results of the recent Presidential election, and possible repercussions for the nation as a whole from political and economic standpoints. The purpose was not to debate winners or losers, but to explore tactics, possible outcomes, and consequences of the result.
Dr. Lenard Huff, professor of marketing, began the forum by explaining what the electoral college is for those unfamiliar with the system, and discussing the campaigns and their tactics. “The entire campaign is marketing. You had to think of each candidate as a brand, and their campaigns marketed them as such,” said Huff. He went on to talk about the different demographics of the country, and how each campaign appealed to the different segments that they desired to target. “Not only do they try to establish their candidates as a brand, but they also try to establish the position of their opponent to shape what others think of them as well,” said Huff. Finally, he discussed some of their strategies, the use of traditional and social media, and the employment of manpower.
“There were nine percent fewer voters in total in this election than were in the 2008 election,” said Dr. Troy Smith, professor of political science. After discussing the various expenditures made by both sides and where each side put their focus, he explained that things have changed; “The size of government is growing, which means the stakes are higher. Political divisions are growing, and respect for political differences is declining, and people are segregating themselves politically – they move to places where people think the way that they do.” After explaining the mistakes of both major parties, and the positive things that they have done, he explained that the media has not been acting responsibly on the part of either side. “They have been too overly partisan and promote their own agendas,” he stated.
“What is the problem? Well, it is three fold: we are in too much debt, we are growing too slow, and we have a completely dysfunctional government,” said Cary Wasden, professor of finance. The first thing he addressed was some of the points that make a country great, including a need for competition and responsibility. Wasden said that not only has the sense of responsibility begun to wane in politics and modern society, but also the importance of competition especially in the business world. Modern medicine has lengthened the life of the average person, and increased their productive capability. After discussing other points of strength, he said that many are losing focus of those things, and the economy will suffer as a result. But above all else, the enormous debt that is and has been incurred is the biggest problem with the country and the economy, and that the rising generation will have to pay back the debt that they themselves did not make.
The forum ended with a question and answer session for the attendees.