With the upcoming presidential election, there are a lot of controversial topics being debated. Each generation does not feel as strongly about the same topics as another generation as not all the topics impact everyone equally. This article provides a small index of the current candidates’ stances on seven topics that are popular among the younger generations in our nation. (Information compiled from here.)

Abortion

In 1973, in the Roe v. Wade case, abortion was deemed a fundamental right. However, it continues to have an ongoing debate among US citizens. The two sides are “pro-choice” and “pro-life”. The first believes that women should have a safe legal option for abortion because otherwise they will find other potentially more dangerous methods. Furthermore, they believe the woman as the right to make decisions for her own body that are not influenced by government or religion.

The latter believes that it life begins at conception and it is immoral to terminate an innocent life. They also believe it is unfair to those couples who are unable to conceive. There also is a third party that believes abortion is only acceptable when it is medically necessary or if the pregnancy is a product of rape.

Clinton: Pro — Clinton believes we need to protect access to safe and legal abortion.
Sanders: Pro — Sanders believes that we need to provide access to safe and legal abortion rather than “moving backward” to a time when women would receive the procedure in an unsafe way.
Trump: Con — Trump self-identifies as pro-life and encourages that women should be punished for having abortions.

Medical Marijuana

Four states have legalized marijuana for medical use. It is argued that marijuana can be used to treat the symptoms of many medical conditions such as cancer or epilepsy. However, many are against this because it does not have FDA approval and has more risks than benefits.

Clinton: Pro — Clinton supports the use of medical marijuana but believes more research should be done.
Sanders:Pro — Sanders supports medical marijuana use and says that when he was mayor of Burlington, not many people were arrested for marijuana use because their police “had more important things to do.”
Trump: Pro — Trump states he is 100 percent for medical marijuana.

Recreational Marijuana

Colorado and Washington have legalized up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use for individuals 21 or older. Many who support the legalization of marijuana believe that it is a waste of resources in our justice system to be sending people to jail for drug use when there are more harmful crimes being committed. Others believe that marijuana use is harmful and should continue to be illegal.

Clinton:Unclear — Clinton does not want to take a position on the matter until she sees how it plays out in Colorado. However, she does believe that it is unnecessary to have a large population in our prisons from nonviolent offenses due to marijuana.
Sanders:Pro — Sanders believes marijuana should be legalized for a variety of reasons but one of the most important is that he believes too many people have had their lives ruined from a criminal record that only consists of marijuana use as opposed to more significant charges.
Trump: Unclear — Trump does not say much on the matter beyond that he thinks we should study what happens in Colorado.

Gun Control

The United States has the highest per capita amount of guns in the world with 22 percent of Americans owning at least one. Often, people who are for more lenient gun regulation use the second amendment to defend their position. Those who oppose like to point out that the U.S. does not use a militia today, as stated in the amendment. At a time where school shootings and other major events of gun violence, our country is taking a better look at how to fix these problems

Clinton: Pro — Clinton wants “common sense” laws and reforms for guns.
Sanders: Pro — Sanders supports “strong, sensible gun control” but highlights the fact that gun control itself will not solve our gun violence issues. Furthermore, he recognizes that hunting is a popular hobby and does not believe that should be condemned.
Trump: Con — Trump says he is “a second amendment person” and strongly opposes strict gun laws.

Keystone XL Pipeline

The Keystone Pipeline currently exists and runs from Alberta, Canada to Cushing, Oklahoma. Two new sections have been proposed to transform it into the Keystone XL Pipeline: one from Cushing to the Gulf Coast of Texas and the other from Alberta to Kansas. While this will provide more fuel to the US, it will also have negative impacts on the environment. Scientists say it will increase global warming as well as increase our dependence on fossil fuels which would be a major step backward in the renewable energy movement.

Clinton: Con — Clinton takes a clear stance stating that “we shouldn’t be building a pipeline dedicated to moving North America’s dirtiest fuel through our communities.”
Sanders: Con — Sanders firmly believes that the pipeline is a step in the wrong direction and away from where we should be focusing on renewable energy. He also states that the pipeline would really only create less than 50 permanent jobs while the rest would all be temporary.
Trump: Pro — Trump says he will immediately approve the pipeline if elected president. He claims there are no threats to the environment and focuses on the job increase it will provide.

Syrian Refugees

With the amount of turmoil in Syria, many of its residents are fleeing to the United States for safety. Ever since 9/11, US citizens have been extremely cautious about terrorism and the recent global events have not helped. Some US citizens believe that if we let in Syrian refugees, we are making ourselves more vulnerable to a terror attack. Others like to point out that America is a “melting pot” that was created by people leaving their countries for a better life which is exactly what Syrians are doing now.

Clinton: Pro — Clinton supports admitting these people into our country noting that “many of these refugees are fleeing from the same terrorists who threaten us.”
Sanders: Pro — Sanders supports allowing refugees into our country and highlights the fact that they are required to go through a nearly two-year long screening by the FBI, Counterterrorism, and Homeland Security
Trump: Con — Trump reiterates the idea that we have no idea who we are really letting into our country and suggests that we could fall victim to a Trojan horse attack.

Gay Marriage

Gay marriage was ruled legal by the Supreme Court on June 26, 2015. Prior to this, only 13 states had banned it. Much of the debate comes down to religious beliefs as well as tradition. Times change and so do ideas but this one has a decent amount of supporters on each side.

Clinton:Pro — Clinton agrees with this ruling and believes it highlights the goal of equality in America.
Sanders:Pro — Sanders supports the decision and is glad the government has taken a step against marginalizing the LGBTAQ+ community.
Trump: Unclear Trump does not state whether he is for or against same-sex marriage but does mention that he wishes the decision had been left up to the individual states.