Before the 2012 Presidential Election, the Republican Party must choose a candidate to run against President Obama.  Among the top contenders are Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, and Michele Bachmann.  Two are Congress members, two are governors, and one an experienced business executive.

The wide range of backgrounds provides varying views on all issues even though the candidates represent the same party.

In recent years, immigration has come into the forefront of fundamental and moral issues argued by all. The Obama administration, after suing both Arizona and Alabama in hopes to repeal both states’ recent immigration laws, has reviewed new state statutes in light of recent changes in an attempt to determine whether or not the federal government will interfere with illegal immigration or state governments will.

Traditionally, conservatives support legal immigration, oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants, and believe in re-enforcing the country’s borders.  The GOP’s top contenders are no exception.  However, students disagree with this view.

“I think that the Republican view on immigration is wrong. said junior Sean Rich. “Everyone should have equal opportunities.”

Cain’s solution to immigration is based off what he splits into four parts. He believes in securing the border, reinforcing the current laws, promoting the legal path, and giving more power to the states.

In his Texas Straight Talk column from October 2, 2006, Paul wrote, “It’s time to rethink birthright citizenship by amending the 14th amendment.”

Perry supports education for children of illegal immigrants and calls the idea of a wall along the entire border “preposterous.” Both Bachmann and Romney are strong supporters of building an expensive and high-tech fence alongside the border.

Corporate Tax Regulations is a heated debate right now between republicans and democrats and perhaps the most aggressive.

Many liberal individuals believe that all the problems in America spurned from the greed of big corporations.

Although it seems an easy choice to tax Corporations more as they bring in more money, Republicans argue that it is not clear whether or not that would help fix economic woes. The statistics also show a significantly greater number of conservatives working high up in the business world.

“With the economy as it is, there shouldn’t be any raise on taxes,” said world history teacher Marian Cole.

There is a group of liberal Americans now exercising their freedom of speech by holding “Occupy Wall Street” marches throughout the United States. They claim that the big banks have ruined the economy and the country contains income inequity. Corporations such as Bank of America report a $6.2 billion profit, while unemployment is at an all time high. In the current state of the union, a corporation has a taxable rate of 35% if their profits exceed $18,000,000 – but an individual also pays a 35% tax rate for a salary of over $188,000.

The Republican Party favors a more equal tax rate although tax plans differ among candidates.

The United States as a whole has a 9.1% unemployment rate. The number of unemployed people in September 2011was a staggering 14 million people.

“I think politicians need to start compromising to get jobs created and lower unemployment,” said sophomore Jack Nicol.

Republicans and Democrats differ on how to address unemployment because it conflicts with tax reform.

To hire more employers, more money needs to be released into the economy, and corporations paying higher taxes makes this happen. However, since Republicans are supporters of equal income taxes, there are many different strategies being tossed around in this debate to cure the unemployment issue altogether.

“As a senior who will soon be looking for a job, I think that corporations should pay higher taxes so unemployment will go down,” said senior Brody Bolanos.

The big question is, can one of the Republican candidates go above and beyond the Obama platform in the 2012 election and win the presidency?

With a Republican majority in the House, and many people reevaluating the economic situation, the possibility of a Republican president seems feasible.

“Obama disappointed many Americans and they may look to Republicans for a change,” said sophomore Caitlin Ferzoco.

But is this what the students of South Lakes want?

“I hope Obama doesn’t lose,” said sophomore Jessie Kaine. “It’s true that Obama hasn’t done much, but he didn’t make the country worse off.”