Wednesday night, representatives from the College Democrats, College Republicans, Nouveaux Socialists and Campus Libertarians will unite for a political forum designed to introduce students to a variety of political viewpoints and ideologies while hearing debate on a variety of the nation’s most pressing policy concerns.

The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Pere Marquette Room in the Kirkhof Center. In addition to a panel discussion and Q&A, the forum will also offer free pizza and is LIB 100 and US 201 approved.

The political forum will consist of three representatives from each of the four participating groups answering questions about a number of agreed-upon issues, including the national and local economic recovery, health care, military conflicts and undocumented workers. Each group will outline their specific ideologies and platforms, in addition to proposing what steps policy makers should take next on certain issues. Representatives will also cite their favorite Supreme Court case and favorite amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“The purpose of this event is to educate GVSU students about the broad spectrum of political ideologies, and give them adequate information to make decisions about where they stand politically,” said Paul LeBlanc, GVSU College Democrats president. “We were emphatic that this event should include representatives from political groups other than the two major parties, to reflect the diversity of political thought in the nation, around the world, and on GVSU’s campus.”

College Republicans chairman Kyle Smith said his group’s opening statement will focus on the federal budget and deficit spending.

“The United States cannot afford to keep borrowing money like it is,” he said. “Sacrifices must be made, and we are going to have to make some adjustments in our spending habits.”

The event is intended to move students to a place where they stand politically and become more involved in the political process, Smith said.

“Overall, I encourage students to attend this event, as our generation will bear the effects of the current Congress’ budgets and spending,” he said. “It is one thing for students to say that they disagree with something that the government does; it is another for them to do something about it.”

GVSU student Will Hibler, who will represent the Libertarian viewpoint during the debate, said he aims to cover the need for a fiscally sustainable national and local budget, as well as the protection of free speech in regards to net neutrality legislation and the Patriot Act.

“We have been living beyond our means for years by implementing one-time budget gimmicks at the state level and relying on federal bailout funds to cover the shortfall in our state budget, which must be balanced every year as mandated by our state constitution,” Hibler said. “Substantial borrowing at the federal has facilitated this process, but there hasn’t been enough focus on the fact that this borrowing is actually done against the income of our children and grandchildren… By participating in this forum, we hope to emphasize the importance of personal and financial liberty, and the ability of individuals and states to set legislation, rather than adopting blanket reforms at the national level.”

[email protected]