High Life: A Weekly Forum For High School Students : Policy Advisers’ Tips for Clinton

Last November, America’s voters said it was time for a change in their leadership, and, finally, lame duck season is almost over.

With Bill Clinton being inaugurated as President of the United States next week, what should be his first order of business?

“Prove to the country how a Democrat in the White House will improve things. There are so many issues that need to be dealt with, but that cannot be accomplished until people trust him.”

Dephanie Yim, 16,

junior, Buena Park

“Set up programs for the homeless, the disabled and the elderly. We should take care of the people in our own country.”

Christy Northam, 16,

junior, Trabuco Hills

“Education. All kids should be given an equal opportunity to learn without the distractions of violence, crowded classrooms and poor teaching.”

Cheryl Tsai, 14,

freshman, St. Margaret’s

“The economy is the most important; fixing the budget.”

Danielle Ho, 17,

senior, University

“Concentrate on all the crime and all the drugs that kids have easy access to.”

Sara Leader, 15,

sophomore, Katella

“Take a strong stand against problems that may result in the Middle East.”

Chris Villaflor, 16,

junior, Rancho Alamitos

“Take immediate action toward our deficit.”

Ron Thompson, 16,

sophomore, California Lutheran

“The issue that concerns most individuals, as well as the country as a whole, is the state of our economy. Clinton should immediately act toward changing the status quo. This can be best achieved by meeting with business professionals and setting viable, short-term goals.”

Greg Qushair, 17,

senior, Edison

“Play golf just like the other politicians.”

Akos Czikmantori, 16,

sophomore, St. Michael’s Prep

“Think about the homeless people and our gang violence problem.”

Redee Wasefy, 14,

freshman, Los Amigos

“Our bleeding economy. He must put an end to Reagan’s trickle-down theory. It just doesn’t work. He should concentrate on the life force of our country--the middle class. If he wants to be remembered as a man who saved the United States, he should put Ross Perot in charge of the economy.”

Jeff Cottonaro, 16,

junior, Garden Grove

“The environment and famine.”

Ivy Lin, 17,

senior, Huntington Beach

“Regulate the population of people from other countries coming in.”

Chris Galassi, 16,

junior, El Dorado

“Sign a bill that would ban smoking in public areas.”

Chris Ariza, 16,

sophomore, Capistrano Valley

“Look more seriously into the unjustified overexpenditure of our U.S. government and basically explore options on where to spend this money, making its use much more productive.”

Conrad Taylor, 17,

senior, Trabuco Hills

“Health care, because your health is the most important.”

Lara Kim, 17,

senior, University

“Find a way to restore money to the schools.”

Shawnte Watts-Carter, 15,

sophomore, Katella

“The people. Everyone’s basic safety and welfare needs should be taken care of.”

Tina Le, 16,

junior, St. Margaret’s

“Visit and have peace talks with major foreign countries’ leaders.”

Liz Rowe, 16,

senior, California Lutheran

“Improve the school system. We really need it. Where are we going to be in the future if we can’t get our education now?”

Jennifer Cardon, 15,

sophomore, Rancho Alamitos

“Addressing the health care and welfare issues to help people.”

Ranya Elahraf, 16,

sophomore, Edison

“The United States’ economy because we’re in such a bad debt as it is.”

Chester Lee, 17,

senior, Garden Grove

“Fix our education system, which he once proudly stated his daughter was a part of, but now enrolls her in an exclusive school.”

Debbie Waddell, 15,

sophomore, Buena Park

“Start off with lowering taxes.”

Diep Tran, 15,

sophomore, Los Amigos

“Maintain President Bush’s policy in the Persian Gulf to let them know ‘We mean business.’ ”

Mike Lebrun, 17,

senior, Huntington Beach

“Public schools--put more money in instead of cutting budgets.”

Michelle deBruijn, 15,

sophomore, El Dorado

“Send over troops to Serbia and tell the Serbians that if they don’t cease violence, I would raze Serbia to the ground.”

Duncan McAlester, 17,

senior, Capistrano Valley

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What are your feelings about interracial dating?

Responses gathered by Sam Kang (Buena Park), Dolores Gusman (California Lutheran), Julie Kim (Capistrano Valley), Yana Yanovsky (Edison), Sunshine Arena (El Dorado), Mia Gonzales (Garden Grove), Morgan Howard (Huntington Beach), David Fitzgerald (Katella), Jennifer Chau (Los Amigos), Detra Vickers (Rancho Alamitos), Brooke Lyons (St. Margaret’s), Eric Thomson (St. Michael’s Prep), Michele Hainley (Trabuco Hills) and Eileen Hsu (University).