2008 Woodie Awards
Facing off Conservative Goldberg
Conservative Goldberg debates against Liberal Beinhart
COLBY STREAM
News Editor
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News
They stand on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but they do not hate each other. In fact, Peter Beinhart, editor-atlarge of the New Republic, and Jonah Goldberg, founding editor of National Review Online, said they are friends even though they differ so widely.
"My view of conservatism is that my view on government doesn't actually say something about my soul," Goldberg said.
Beinhart and Goldberg came to Boise State Oct. 6 to argue their views about the differences between conservatives and liberals.
Both discussed education and their respective candidates' plans. "We simply don't live in an economy anymore where a high school diploma and a strong back will allow you to provide for your family," Beinhart said, explaining how young people need to attend college but can find it difficult due to constantly rising costs.
He described Sen. Barak Obama's plan to give college students a $4,000 tax credit for school in return for 100 hours of community service.
Although neither speaker was aware of Sen. John McCain's educational plans, Goldberg expressed his view that the price of a college education in the U.S. should be lowered instead of giving credits to pay the high fees.
Another prominent theme in the debate was government regulation.
"The state has a monopoly on the use of force," Goldberg said in support of his argument against regulation.
Goldberg used Obama's push for unity to back his argument. He argued that the founding fathers wanted dissention among the government and the people to create checks and balances.
Obama's plan of unity, however, would only unify the government further in using force.
Beinhart, on the other hand, compared governmental regulation to driving laws.
"I also believe that you need police on the road to make sure people are paying attention to … stop signs," he said. "That requires a government infrastructure of regulation."
Both journalists used health care as an example of what they thought government regulation, or lack thereof, would look like.
"My view of conservatism is that my view on government doesn't actually say something about my soul," Goldberg said.
Beinhart and Goldberg came to Boise State Oct. 6 to argue their views about the differences between conservatives and liberals.
Both discussed education and their respective candidates' plans. "We simply don't live in an economy anymore where a high school diploma and a strong back will allow you to provide for your family," Beinhart said, explaining how young people need to attend college but can find it difficult due to constantly rising costs.
He described Sen. Barak Obama's plan to give college students a $4,000 tax credit for school in return for 100 hours of community service.
Although neither speaker was aware of Sen. John McCain's educational plans, Goldberg expressed his view that the price of a college education in the U.S. should be lowered instead of giving credits to pay the high fees.
Another prominent theme in the debate was government regulation.
"The state has a monopoly on the use of force," Goldberg said in support of his argument against regulation.
Goldberg used Obama's push for unity to back his argument. He argued that the founding fathers wanted dissention among the government and the people to create checks and balances.
Obama's plan of unity, however, would only unify the government further in using force.
Beinhart, on the other hand, compared governmental regulation to driving laws.
"I also believe that you need police on the road to make sure people are paying attention to … stop signs," he said. "That requires a government infrastructure of regulation."
Both journalists used health care as an example of what they thought government regulation, or lack thereof, would look like.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Shona
posted 10/10/08 @ 10:19 AM MST
Goldberg made the comment about choosing the lesser of two evils in response to a question from the audience about wanting better choices in candidates and who was unhappy about being left with having to vote AGAINST a candidate based on the lesser of two evils rather than FOR a candidate. (Continued…)
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