Cornell Democrats and Republicans gathered on Tuesday to debate the role and size of the federal government and discuss key issues including the welfare state, taxation and civil liberties. Cornell Republican Treasurer Michael Johns ’20 said that Obamacare’s individual mandate is an invasion on civil liberties that should not be allowed under the Constitution. Johns said that after “50 years of failed policy,” the government should not be investing money in what he called endless, ineffective welfare programs. “Programs such as food stamps, medicare and HomeChoice help low-income Americans stay afloat,” said Natalie Brown ’18, Cornell Democrats president. Both sides also debated whether or not the government’s oversight has infringed on civil liberties and individual privacy.

Source: Daily Sun November 29, 2017 02:37 UTC