The old adage “truth will out” seems to fly out the window during the political campaign season. It may, in fact, be more appropriate to amend the adage to say, “rhetoric will out.” This is overwhelmingly the case with many candidates at all levels of government running for election or re-election. However, I would like to bring this battle locally. More specifically, I am speaking of the false rhetoric current Rep. Lisa Heddens of Iowa House District 46 in Ames is claiming.

Fortunately, Heddens’ rhetoric is easy to fact check as she has a record of her votes and opinions in Des Moines. She recently ran an ad in the Daily that claimed she has done the following: kept tuition affordable, opposed cuts to university funding and attracted good jobs to Iowa so graduates can remain in the state. Let’s start with keeping tuition affordable.

Tuition at Iowa State has consistently increased since Heddens first took office in 2002. When she began her term, tuition and fees at Iowa State were approximately $3,692 for the academic year. As of 2012, it has increased by 105 percent to $7,725. Additionally, as the cost of attendance continues to rise, so does the number of students taking out financial loans to pay for their education. Of all graduates at Iowa State, 69 percent graduate with debt, with the average debt being greater than $30,000.

Additionally, she has not stopped or restructured the current tuition-set-aside policy at Iowa State, which states a certain percentage of students’ tuition dollars go to pay for others’ education. These funds are then awarded on a need basis. This percentage, which was unknown to many — including many at the state level — is currently at 23.5 percent. Hypothetically, this should allow more students to attend Iowa State because of affordability, and therefore, lowering overall costs for students. As is obvious, this theory is not working. So what does this mean for students? Not only is our tuition and debt increasing, but the proportion of tuition and debt we pay for other students is increasing as well.

Moving on to the second piece of rhetoric, we see that Heddens apparently opposed cuts to university funding. This statement is probably the most truthful statement thus far. Heddens has opposed cutting funding to Iowa State. In fact, she voted to increase funding to the regent universities. However, funding from the state has continued to decline. Ever since Republicans have taken control of the House of Representatives, Heddens has been fighting Republicans for more spending.

In a split legislature, wouldn’t it make more sense to work with Republicans rather than adamantly oppose them? If Heddens cannot work with Republicans to find a solution, then students get caught in the middle while legislators bicker in Des Moines. Both parties are using students as leverage, but ultimately not serving their needs. If elected, Stephen Quist will work with both parties so regent schools will get adequate and consistent funding from the state of Iowa. He understands many times compromise must be found in order to truly serve the constituents.

As my previous letter to the editor details, Heddens has not been a creator of jobs for either ISU students or the state of Iowa. Iowa is notorious for being a brain drain state. Essentially, students receive an excellent education only to leave Iowa to find better jobs. Additionally, how can Heddens expect new businesses to be created when Iowa has some of the highest corporate income tax rates in America — thus in the entire world? Now Heddens may attempt to stand on Iowa’s low unemployment rate and that it is less than the national average. But let us not forget about the underemployment rate. Iowa’s most recent underemployment for college graduates is over 35 percent. Underemployment is defined as those unable to find a job or only able to find part-time positions.

This means you, as a student, will graduate with around $30,000 in debt and will be working at a job that pays lower than your actual worth as a graduate. Personally, I’d rather Heddens work to provide ISU graduates with full-time, relevant careers and not part-time jobs.

Now that Heddens’ rhetoric has been dismantled, ponder whether you will cast your vote for Heddens, or if you will vote for a new change. While she may attempt to dupe you into believing all is well, know it most certainly is not. Her policies have failed and she continues to gamble our futures in Des Moines. In all reality the way forward is simple. Cast your vote for someone who has experienced the result of Heddens’ ineffective policies first hand. Cast your vote for someone who will directly benefit ISU undergraduates and graduates alike. Cast your vote for fellow student Quist on Nov. 6.