ASUA Watch Independent, critical commentary and analysis of ASUA candidates and issues.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Presidential Candidate Analysis: Cade Bernsen

Cade Bernsen

One word comes to mind after looking at Cade Bernsen's platforms: VAGUE. He basically tells what the issue is, and that he will address it somehow. The "how" part is strangely omitted.

After a short bio (never a bad thing), he addresses campus safety. There's thefts on campus, we know, and he tells us "This is simply unacceptable". Well, yeah. he promises to "increase security." How? More guards? More police? Enforcement of the Second Amendment? What?

Next comes tuition costs. While citing his work with the Texas State Senate, he says he will lobby the Arizona Legislature. Well, how? Offer an tuition estimate? Bribe them? Where does the tuition money go afterwards?

Next comes financial aid. He "feels that there should be more financial aid available". Well, no duh. Where's the money coming from?

Next comes a unique issue: child care. Bernsen supports a child care facility rather than parents taking responsibility for themselves. One can only imagine the results. Oh, it's okay to have an illegitimate kid; there's always child care! The violation of individual rights is obvious here: making students pay for others' lack of responsibility.

Dead End AwardElizabeth Dole Award for Ambiguity

Cade Bernsen earns the Dead End Award, the Elizabeth Dole Award for Ambiguity, and the Cash Patch Kids Award for not actually having a website, not actually stating anything specific, and proposing to force students to pay for child care.

Edit: Upon further review, I have edited the wording regarding Mr. Bernsen's support of a child care facility. His statement does not explicitly state ASUA (rather than the university) will pay for the facility, so neither should this review. Nonetheless, the issue should be outside the purview of the ASUA President, so the Cash Patch Kids Award stays in place as before. --GO