Letter to the editor: students need facts

The recent info graphic concerning President Obama and Governor Romney's stances on controversial issues is, in my opinion, incorrect and a misrepresentation of the views of the candidates.

The infographic grossly oversimplified the issues and the candidates' stances on the issues.

Students need and deserve information that is both easily understandable and accessible, but I believe the recent info graphic committed a grave injustice by simplifying and incorrectly summarizing the candidate's beliefs.

First, I believe your generalization of Obama's view on "an increase on the top one percent." Obama does not necessarily support any increase; however, what he does support is allowing the Bush-era tax cuts for the super wealthy to expire. Therefore, he is not lobbying for any increase, just for allowing the tax cuts to revert back to their rates during the Clinton presidency. Obama and nearly every Democrat on Capitol Hill support extending tax cuts for the middle class.

"President Barack Obama is voicing unwavering opposition to extending Bush-era tax breaks for the nation's wealthiest families even for a year or two, drawing a sharp contrast with Republicans eight weeks before the November elections."

Secondly, I disagree with the info graphic that referenced the candidate's opinion on gun control.

Obama has not called for any changes in existing gun laws. The article made it seem as if Obama was in favor of creating new laws to restrict Second Amendment rights.

Fox News had this to say about Obama's gun control policy:

*White House Press Secretary Jay Carney clarified Thursday that the president is not necessarily talking about new laws.

"He believes that we can enhance the enforcement of existing laws by making it more difficult for those who should not have weapons under existing laws ... to obtain weapons," Carney said.

The New York Times has also written about Obama's lack of support for increased gun control.

Asked on Sunday whether Mr. Obama favored new gun control initiatives, his spokesman, Jay Carney, twice said the main focus of the president -- who four years ago called for an assault-weapons ban -- was to "protect Second Amendment rights."

"He believes we need to take steps that protect Second Amendment rights of the American people but that ensure that we are not allowing weapons into the hands of individuals who should not, by existing law, obtain those weapons," Mr. Carney said on Air Force One as the president flew to Colorado to meet with survivors of the mass shooting.

In fact, Obama has done the opposite. He signed a bill that allowed citizens to carry loaded guns into national parks and relaxed rules on the export of firearms.

While I applaud Mr. Turrentine's effort in providing students with access to issues facing Americans, I would encourage him to avoid oversimplifying the issues.

Jacob Dean

President

Auburn College Democrats