Ames High School - Spirit Yearbook (Ames, IA)

Page 26 text:

2 d Politics ` A? $ Ад . Е 171 C bw ECH a А asters ed = o. ml cl ee ААЛЫ —— Áo - e МЕСТЕ - е k. E d € ` -o

Page 25 text:

Qe. = Ls la - А à u Above: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Karen Michaud practices playing her guitar in prepa- ration for services at St. Cecilia’s Church. Religion 21

Page 27 text:

D . ` 474: А | i emm -—— WE Hm 73 [+ 0 DEVI VU UL 3 0 M . р ТРЧИ - a - i $ e AA D .. (XC? . l ————— [n the 1980 elections, Iowans followed a national trend calling for change in government. Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan defeated incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter. Many other races followed suit; Republicans gained 12 Senate seats formerly held by Democrats and took control of the Senate. Many prominent liberal Democrats were defeated, including [owa Senator John Culver, who fell to Republican Charles Grassley. For the first time since 1968, there were more than two major presiden- tial candidates. Many students preferred Independent John Ander- son over the others. Jennie Amos ex- pressed a common view, saying, I agreed with what Anderson said, but since I didn't think he had a fighting chance, I would have voted for Carter so Reagan wouldn't win; | didnt think he'd be good for the country. Both Constitutional proposals on the ballot were defeated. Sixtv per cent of Iowans said “no” to a Constitution revision convention. Those in favor of the “con-con” hoped to add an Voters wanted change amendment limiting taxes, but others felt, as did Mary Thompson, that “limiting taxes would mean cutting important programs. The state Equal Rights Amendment also lost. The pro- posed ERA forbade denying equal rights because of gender. Attitudes toward the ERA at Ames High did not reflect those of the average voter. Richard Schneider stated that his government classes were OVer- whelmingly in favor of it and a poll of Richard White's American history students showed 75 per cent sup- ported the ERA. Due to the liberal attitude at Ames High, some students were surprised at the number of conservatives elected. “The Republicans defeated the Democrats by a larger margin than I expected. It seems Ames High students tend to be more liberal than average, remarked Brian Hayenga. Above left: STEP RIGHT UP. Lisa Laughlin, a new student from California, registers to be an eligible voter in Story County. Volunteers from the League of Women Voters registered 18- year-olds during two school days. Left: REPUBLICAN. Wade Angus dons a hat and brandishes a sign at a Republican party rally in his American history class. Politics 23