In the race for U.S. Senate, Rep. Sherrod Brown spoke at KU Ballroom Oct. 5, addressing issues of economic policies, jobs and education.

Brown, a Democrat representing Ohio's 13th district since 1992, focused on the issue of higher education. Brown said in the U.S. Senate he will fight to make it possible for every Ohioan who wants to pursue a higher education to do so by investing more money in Pell Grants and Perkins loans.

Ohio's public colleges and universities' tuition has increased 68.3 percent since 2000, according to http://www.sherrodbrown.com. Brown said he will fight to increase college loan programs for the college students who rely on help from their government for financial assistance.

'Look who's been in charge,' Brown said. 'The lost jobs, the lost health care benefits, the doubling of college tuition that has made it simply harder for young people'to get an education.'

Brown also addressed the issue of the economy and federal spending. Brown said that five years ago the United States had a budget surplus, and currently the United States has a budget deficit due to Mike DeWine, a Republican in the race for U.S. Senate, and the Republican Party's votes on tax cuts.

In the past five years, Brown said, Ohio has lost more than 200,000 manufacturing jobs and 100,000 Ohioans have lost their health insurance.

'This race is about choices,' Brown said. 'I look at what's happening in our states the last 12 years. I am a little surprised anyone wants to stay on the same course.'

Brown wants to reconstruct Ohio's economy by revamping U.S. trade policy, investing in small businesses and passing fair trade policies that protect employees at home and overseas, according to http://www.sherrodbrown.com.

'We live a little longer today because of high-tech medication, but we also live longer because of a progressive government,' Brown said.

A member of the College Republicans in a blue Mike DeWine shirt asked Brown about his reactions to the National Security Agency wire tapping program, which revealed that phone companies were providing the NSA with millions of phone records since 9/11 in May 2006.

Brown said he does not want to see impeachment and does not seek retribution.

'I don't want to run a government like [Republicans] do,' Brown said. 'I want to be part of a government that enacts legislation that' helps build the middle class of this county.'

The University of Dayton College Democrats sponsored this event. It included speeches from Carolyn Rice for state representative in the 38th Ohio House District and Richard Chema for Congress.

Rice addressed issues of education, jobs and health care. Rice said that these are all complicated issues, but other states are implementing 'exciting' policies and Ohio has a lot of choices.

Chema addressed issues of national security, and said the United States must secure nuclear weapons in other countries, implement the 9/11 emission reports and seek out and destroy terrorists based on fact and reason instead of fear.

Sherrod, Rice and Chema all said they applaud and encourage the students for being engaged in the campaign.

According to the UD College Democrats' Web site, campus.udayton.edu/~democrat, the organization aims 'to encourage participation of students in the political process.'

For more information about Rep. Sherrod Brown, visit http://www.sherrodbrown.com. For information about the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Sen. Mike DeWine, visit http://www.mikedewine.com.