How We Voted and What it Means by Derek York

Referendum Question #1

Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples? 

This would mean that gay couples  in Maine would be allowed to marry, with the same benefits that traditional marriages enjoy.

This means all assets would be shared through the bond of marriage including insurance for one another. 

Yes-192, No-86. PRHS students are in favor of legalizing same sex marriage.

Bond Issue #2

Do you favor an $11,300,00 bond issue to provide funds for capital to build a diagnostic facility for the University of Maine system; for capital improvements and equipment, including machine tool technology, for the Maine Community College system; and for capital improvements and equipment at the Maine Maritime Academy?

This bond is for some of the colleges in maine. It is to buy new things they need to keep the programs they have going. The schools are asking for a larger budget to afford repairs and new tools. 

Yes-133, No-158. PRHS students are not in favor of this bond.

Bond Issue #4

Do you favor a $51,500,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, local roads, airports and port facilities, as well as for funds for rail access, transit buses and the LifeFlight Foundation, which will make the State eligible for at least 105,600,000 in federal and other matching funds? 

This bond is to fix all the not so good roads around the U.S. and anything that involves traveling to be fixed. The LifeFlight Foundation will also be funded for people in need of medical care in hard to reach places. The federal government will also match us on this bond if it passed. 

Yes-159, No-114. PRHS students are in favor of the bond.

Zombies. Presidential Candidates. Same Thing. By Matthew Principe

Most high school kids don't care about politics. This includes those who actually know a few things and those who don't. Those who do care about politics desperately need comic relief.

So I'm asking all of you – those who care, those who don't, and those who think our leaders and candidates will end the world in 2012 before the zombies do – to pay attention to this guy:

His name is Vermin Supreme. He is becoming quite popular this year (if you have not heard of Mr. Supreme, check him out on the link we have provided). He has run for president before, but every year he continues to increase in popularity.

In Mr. Supreme's words, he is a “tyrant, a friendly fascist, someone you should trust.”  Sounds crazy, right? Maybe, but this is not Supreme’s “first rodeo.” Heck, no, he has political experience! According to Wikipedia, in 2004, he received 149 votes in the Washington, D.C. presidential primary. In the 2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, he received 41 votes. In 2012, Vermin Supreme received 833 votes in New Hampshire's Democratic presidential primary. Is he catching on? 

Who would vote for this guy? What is this world coming to? Former PRHS student Dillon Douglass gave this some thought before saying that Vermin Supreme's metaphors on teeth made him look quite stupid. “And he wears a boot on his head,” Dillon said. “I question that.”  (Dillon is clearly overqualified to editorialize on politics for Fox or MSNBC). 

Don't worry, I think Supreme's candidacy is a big intentional joke; I don’t think he will actually go though with a legitimate campaign. I mean, nobody has time to think of that many teeth puns when they have to run the country or play politics with the big boys and girls. 

I think it’s funny. Today, politics are very serious. We do live in serious times, but we need more humor and relaxation now. I think that’s just what Supreme brings to this election. 

Most students I talk to don't want to discuss politics. If I press them and ask what they would look for in a leader, the most common answer is “intelligence.” But who knows whether Vermin Supreme is or more or less intelligent than Barrack Obama, Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich?

In no way am I supporting him and giving him my vote, but, if the world is going end this year due to a zombie apocalypse (you don't hear Romney, Gingrich or Obama talking about this, do you?) then we need something in our lives to make life just a little easier. So let’s sit back, wear a boot, brush our teeth, and wait for a zombie apocalypse.