By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Fort Hays State University's Pi Sigma Alpha hosted a debate featuring two student-led political groups.
The annual debate between FHSU Young Democrats and FHSU College Republicans Tuesday at the Memorial Union discussed their opinions of the other party and addressed immigration, the government shutdown, tariff policy and inflation, and voting rights.
Each team was given 90 seconds to answer the same set of pre-written questions. Teams were allowed a 30-second rebuttal if the opposing team was mentioned during a response.
Lillianna Nash, Genesis Wilson, Madison Albers, and Justice Alexander represented the FHSU Young Democrats, and Mickey Mason, Tyler Preisser, Daniel Bechle, and Hazel Frans represented the FHSU College Republicans.
The College Republicans opened by saying their goal is to promote conservative values and foster the right mindset on campus. They also dedicated the debate to Charlie Kirk, the late co-founder of Turning Point USA.
The Young Democrats opened by affirming their commitment to build a nation grounded in unity and compassion, defend human rights, bridge divides and uphold democracy as a shared promise of justice for all—not just a system of government.
Opinions of the other party
So much of political discourse is about the politics of negation. Tell me something positive about the other party.
The College Republicans said they hold a deep respect for the Democratic Party, adding that they believe Democrats genuinely want what is best for the country.
"They have an undying passion for those who are in need. They have a lot of empathy, which is definitely admirable," College Republican Frans said. "I think we actually agree with the Democratic Party, and most of the country, on 80% of issues. We just have different means of getting them done."
Young Democrat Albers commended the Republicans’ dedication and civic engagement. She said that everyone on stage works each day to ensure FHSU, the community and the nation thrive.
"Even though we're on different sides of this stage, we're all students who care about where our future is going and what's next for us as we're the generation that will be inheriting the earth," Albers said.
Immigration
Do you think that the mass deportation policy being enacted is delivering on the promise of safety to voters, or has the current administration gone too far?
Young Democrat Albers said the Trump administration’s actions have gone too far, speaking from her perspective as a second-generation immigrant and tying the issue to economic and humanitarian concerns.
"Mass deportations take away from our essential labor force; it is in agriculture and construction that we see a large number of unauthorized immigrants," she said.
College Republican Bechle said the Republicans support deporting undocumented immigrants while keeping families together, but oppose the deportation of U.S. citizens, saying it is a matter of law and national safety.
"They have committed a crime by entering the country illegally, and that is a crime that needs to be punished by returning them to their home country," Bechle said.
In a rebuttal, Albers said Bechle's statement contradicts itself.
"[College Republicans] mentioned that they are against sending citizens back, especially legal citizens, but the idea of keeping families together, but still deporting entire families does just that," she said.
Government shutdown
Who is at fault for the government shutdown — Republicans or Democrats? Please explain
College Republican Mason blamed Democrats, calling it “the Schumer shutdown,” and said Republicans had already introduced a clean continuing resolution to keep the government operating.
"By clean continuing resolution, we mean that we are not pushing any specific Republican policy. We're not trying to change any previously passed funding legislation. We're not trying to make something that's unagreeable," Mason said.
Young Democrat Wilson blamed Republicans, calling it “the Republican shutdown,” saying they control all three branches of government and are using it to push harmful spending cuts.
"[The College Republicans] say it's a clean, continuous resolution, but [this bill] does have cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. It has cuts to a lot of things that Americans need that Democrats aren't going to agree with," Wilson said.
Tariff policy and inflation
Do you think that tariff policy is overall beneficial to America or undermines American interests?
Young Democrat Wilson said tariffs are hurting the U.S. economy, farmers and consumers. She said that while she supports helping American companies and small businesses thrive, the nation cannot produce all the raw materials it needs.
"Tariffs don't just affect our grocery prices," she said. "They're affecting our community in every single sector and making inflation go higher.
Nash added, "Why would corporations create new factories and make new working laws when they can just charge you up the wazoo for child labor?"
Mason said tariff policies are still new and should be judged by their long-term effects, though he says early results appear positive. College Republican Preisser said his party supports tariffs to promote American jobs.
"It is to eliminate child labor and inhumane labor overseas. It is to level the playing field... it is so uneven the amount of tariffs that we get charged and do not charge back," Preisser said.
Frans added, "We are seeing an incredible influx of trade deals with all these countries that want to avoid tariffs. If they do not want tariffs, they should come to Congress to try and strike a deal."
Voting rights
The Kansas Legislature has passed legislation to reduce the number of days for advanced voting. Do such policies strengthen election confidence or suppress voter participation?
College Republican Frans said reducing the number of advance voting days helps maintain secure, organized elections and that those who value voting will make it a priority. Mason said that Election Day should remain the main day to vote.
"Any of these new legislation taps down on any potential voter fraud," Mason said. "Obviously, if there is an extenuating circumstance for why you can't show up in person, there should be a way for you to vote by mail or the associated policy there."
Young Democrat Nash said cutting back on advance voting days suppresses voter turnout, especially among working-class voters. She suggested giving people time off from work on Election Day. Albers said that students and people with disabilities are more vulnerable to being disenfranchised.
"Fort Hays does not have any official policy excusing you from class for voting in elections," she said.
Several audience questions were submitted during the debate, some of which were directed more toward one team than the other. Both teams responded under the same time and rebuttal rules.
Abortion
Should unborn children be granted the same right to life and legal protection as individuals who are already born?
Young Democrat Nash said granting "unborn fetuses" the same rights as "living fetuses" would create government loopholes, including complications with child support laws. Young Democrat Albers said that the 14th Amendment has already settled the issue.
"The first words are 'all persons born.' Our founders and framers laid this out clearly for us. This has been decided," Albers said.
College Republican Frans said unborn children are humans who deserve rights and protections. She cited the Declaration of Independence, saying that people cannot pursue liberty or happiness without first having the right to life.
"I also noticed that the [Young Democrats] couldn't determine whether to call the child in the womb a fetus or a child. They called it both because you know deep down that they are a child," Frans said.
Various members of the Young Democrats used differing terms discussing the issue, referring to unborn children as “unborn fetuses,” “unborn child” and “child.”
Gun rights
Why do conservatives support widespread gun ownership despite mass shootings?
College Republican Mason cited the Second Amendment and said any individual has the right to own firearms, while also supporting closing "gun show loopholes." Bechle said that mass shootings are more closely linked to mental health issues.
"I think both sides agree that we need to restructure our mental health system," Bechle said. "Obviously, there can be a lot of contributing factors, but restructuring that mental health system can be quintessential to the idea of mass shootings."
Young Democrat Wilson said mass shootings continue to claim children’s lives and said that Republicans’ focus on mental health is inconsistent with their policies.
"They want to defund programs that will make everyone in America have access to mental health care. That is part of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act," she said. "Yes, we have a right to the Second Amendment, but there should be magazine limits, red line laws, places to get background checks and you have to take classes to get these weapons."
Judicial Elections
Next November, Kansans will vote on whether or not we should abandon our current Kansas Supreme Court justice selection system in favor of directly electing judges for the Kansas Supreme Court. What impact could this have on Kansans?
Young Democrat Albers said she is a pre-law major and opposes the proposal because it would politicize the judiciary and undermine its independence.
"In theory, it sounds really good... but this means that they have to, before they decide cases, tell you their political ideologies. That's not the way our law was established to be decided," she said.
College Republican Bechle also opposed electing judges, saying they serve long terms to remain independent from political and electoral pressure.
"I would recommend that we all say no to that bill. The judicial system is supposed to be an isolated system. It's not supposed to be influenced by politics."
The Republican and Democratic parties of Ellis County sponsored the event and provided food and drinks for attendees at Cody Commons in the Memorial Union. The room was roughly half full of its maximum capacity.
You can follow FHSU College Republicans and Young Democrats on Instagram.
