Stoneham High School - Wildlife Yearbook (Stoneham, MA)

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CANDIDATES John Anderson Ronald Reagan VOTE 1 see no reason to have a draft. We will commence registration this year in order to prepare for some eventuality in the future that might bring about a military crisis calling for a draft, but whether we have a draft or not is not an important issue at all as far as the overall strength of our country is concerned.” — Department of State bulletin June, 1980 promise “I opM registr; greatly ancmeil burcaucr ELECTION 1980 On November 4, 1980 millions of Americans went to the polls to choose the next President of the United States. Campaigning had begun almost two years before for tens of candidates, including Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy who unsuccessfully made a bid for the Democratic nomination. The 1980 election was unique in several aspects. Unhappy with the nominations of the Republican and Democratic parties, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter respectively, John Anderson challenged the two party system and ran as an independent third party candidate. November fourth also marked one year of captivity for the American hostages in Iran. For most of the year Carter did not leave the White House to campaign because of the Iranian Crises. The “Rose Garden” policy, the economy crippled with annual inflation of thirteen percent and seven percent unemployment, and the failure to free the hostages, cost Carter the election. Ronald Reagan won with a landslide as conservative fervor swept the nation. Even liberal Massachusetts voted Reagan. Right wing organizations such as Moral Majority Inc. and the lack of organized liberal platforms resulted in many liberal Senators losing their seats and allowed the Republicans to gain control of the Senate. The country wanted changes and with the results of the 1980 .elections it certainly got them. On the state level, the source of heated debate was question 2 on the ballot, Proposition 2Vz. In a quest to eliminate waste in the town budget and to relieve the property owner of an unfair tax burden, Commonwealth citizens proposed this plan that would result in lower property and excise taxes. Unfortunately the enactment of this legislation would result in massive budget cuts, including education, and police and fire protection. Many of Stoneham High’s finest teachers will lose their jobs. Despite these drawbacks the voters demanded tax relief and passed 2Vz by a better than 2 to 1 margin. KENNEDY FOR PRESIDENT Paid for by the Kennedy for President Committee

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