Issues Take Center Stage During CHS Debate

March 8, 2010 by Josh Morgan

After three grueling rounds, and almost 90 minutes of spirited debate, the Cheshire Young Democrats swept the Young Republicans in the 2010 debate at Cheshire High School.
On Feb. 24, the two groups faced off in the CHS library after school to debate three separate topics. Each side agreed to take the affirmative or negative approach to the question, going back and forth on the topic until they reached a four minute scrum called the clash, where unexpected results could occur.
"I felt very confident as the debate progressed. I knew that all our contentions were backed with strong research and facts from reputable sources," said Young Democrat Mansoor Alam. "Winning was definitely a great feeling. We all worked very hard over the course of a couple weeks to prepare for this debate and we could not have asked for a better outcome."
Each side had four well dressed students representing their clubs, and other members and supporters filled the seats set up in the back of the library. Two alternates also provided research support for the teams. Each round was judged independently by CHS Principal Kevin Ryan and assistant principals Richard Sansoucy and Laurie Vicario.
"It's great to have everyone involved. The students are involved, the teachers are involved, and the administration is here as well," explained Kathleen Hoag, advisor to the Young Democrats. "This has become an annual tradition for us."
Round one began with the topic of a new health care bill, and the belief that it would cause unnecessary debt in the United States. Young Republican Angela Pearsall took the floor first, speaking in agreement with the pre-agreed upon resolution. Pearsall jumped right in, talking about the massive debt such legislation would create and the belief that many younger people would opt out of health care coverage entirely because of the costs. After she finished, Alam asked her for sources on the information she presented, before fellow Young Democrat Audrey Zhang proposed her argument disagreeing with the resolution. Zhang said a health care bill would, in fact, provide affordable coverage to many Americans and adding debt now would benefit the country later. Pearsall then grilled Zhang on her sources, with Young Republican Dave Winiarski who took the floor afterwards.
Zhang took her shot during a cross-examination, asking for sources, and when she heard the one source was The Heritage Foundation, she struck.
"You do know that The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank," she asked, even though she knew the answer.
After this back and forth, both groups jumped into the clash, a four minute frenzy that had no script. Once everyone caught their breath, a five minute recess was taken and the clubs huddled together to present their rebuttals and final statements.
Round two opened up with Young Democrat Thomas Esty taking the affirmative that Congress should pass further laws to limit gun ownership. He argued that guns, such as semi-automatic pistols and assault rifles, should not be available for the public.
"We don't need these types of weapons to defend our homes," Esty said.
Young Republican Alessandra Pulit took the opposite stance, saying that no new laws should be passed to limit gun ownership. She added that there is no data that shows an increase in gun ownership leads to an increase in shootings and violence. Fellow Young Republican Matthew Topitzer said a firearm is used in 26 percent of violent crimes and any new laws would further restrict the 2nd Amendment.
"We cannot further inhibit an American's right to own a firearm and protect themselves," Topitzer said.
After the debate, Pulit said that the second resolution was her favorite of the three. Even though her team lost the round, and she didn't agree with the scoring, she felt it was a great experience for her and the team.
"I really enjoyed the topic of gun control. I felt that the debate got very heated and exciting," Pulit said. "It's unusual for kids our age to appear excited and interested in politics. To see not only the debaters, but also the audience being engaged was a really great feeling."
The third and final round took on yet another weighty topic, that non-U.S. citizens who are accused of terrorist acts should not have the same legal rights as a prisoner of war would normally have. Topitzer and Winiarski took the affirmative, while the Young Democrats took the negative. Like before, the debate culminated in the clash, then final statements. After all the smoke cleared, the Young Democrats swept all three rounds and was announced the overall winner.
Afterwards, Topitzer said the debate provided a great learning experience for everyone involved, despite the results. He said it helped hone his public speaking skills and felt it encouraged students his age to become interested in politics.
"I feel that the debate was a very beneficial experience for myself and my fellow Young Republicans," Topitzer said. "I felt that the debate was very successful, regardless of its outcome. At the end of the day, its important to recognize that, although we agree to disagree, we can respect each others’ opinions."
Hoag said that both groups are very active with the two town committees, especially in the fall near the election, and the beginning of the spring semester is the perfect time to hold the annual debate.
"They are so engaged, this was the best time to do it," Hoag said. "These kids put in a lot of civic duty, it's really nice to see."