Campus Pulse is a series of polls conducted online and around campus to measure UT student's opinions of various political issues.

As part of an ongoing series outlining the 2008 presidential candidates economic beliefs, UT students were asked the following question over the past week:

"Would you prefer a presidential candidate who supports lower taxes and less government programs, or a candidate who supports higer taxes and more government services.

In their own words

"It's not a question of higher or lower taxes--it's a question of right or wrong. If it takes higher taxes on the rich to give everyone healthcare, we owe it to them."

Andrew S.

I'll never support a politician who goes against the constitution and supports an incremental income tax. This is real life, not Robin Hood. UT Student, Johnny H"Why raise taxes on everyone to help a few people? Services shouldn't come from the government, they should come from charities, churches and non-profit groups."

Blake R.

"How is it fair to overtax the 'rich' and give to the 'poor?' I'll never support a politician who goes against the constitution and supports an incremental income tax. This is real life, not Robin Hood."

Johnny H.

"Everyone in America and the world deserves a good education, healthcare and some kind of social security, no matter what the cost is."

Sarah M.

"The government needs to help people help themselves, not try and put a band-aid on a gushing wound. It's impossible to fix everything, and government only 

Kristen G.

Overall results

•  Of the 25 students who responded, 15 favored lower taxes and fewer government programs, while 10 supported higher taxes and more government support.

• 13 of the students claimed to support Sen. Barack Obama in the upcoming presidential election, while 10 favored Sen. John McCain. Two participants are currently undecided.

• 20 of the 25 students said that a candidate's economic beliefs would be "important" or "very important" when voting this fall. Only one said economic issues are "not important at all."

• Of the 14 females polled, eight supported the McCain-Palin ticket; seven of the 11 males, however, supported the Obama-Biden ticket.

Campus Pulse is not a scientific poll and is not intended to represent all UT students. Instead, the goal is to give a quick overview of UT student's political views.