In the recent presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in Denver, Colo. on Oct. 3, a number of issues were brought to the attention of the public by both candidates. However, the main issues that will have an impact on the lives of young people are the reforms in education as well as the removal of funding to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).President Obama continues to push for education reforms that will benefit the young people. The president wants to improve and invest in the education system more than before. Obama plans on lowering tuition along with giving college students more time to pay back student loans while keeping the interest rate low. In the eyes of many college students, this is a blessing. Tuition continues to rise and most college students already have trouble affording college. If interest rates increase any more, students will be paying back student loans well into their old age. Obama seems to be heading in the right direction; he has a solid plan for the young people, one that will open more doors for students rather than close them.Romney has a different agenda for students. Although he says he has no intention of cutting funding for education, Romney has not made any attempts to make any positive remarks about the future of education for college students. Romney has only told students that if they want to go to college and be successful that they should “borrow money if they have to from their parents.”  Romney said that students should not expect him to boost Pell grants or assist in paying off student loans.Many are criticizing Romney for these statements because it appears as if he believes parents are rich enough to pay for their children’s college education with money right out of their pockets. Many Americans are out of jobs, according to the 7.8 percent unemployment rate of September 2012, receive a low income, or are the sole providers of their households, meaning there is an unlikely chance they can fund their children’s college education.Obama and Romney both need to understand education will play a vital role in the election this November. Students are registering to vote because they want their voices to be heard, especially when it involves their education and future.Another issue that has caused quite a controversy from the presidential debate was Romney’s comment on planning to cut funding for PBS.“I like PBS, I like Big Bird, I actually like you too,” were the words of Romney to debate moderator, Jim Lehrer of PBS.Romney has to realize this will hurt him in the election. According to Nielson’s TV ratings, 91 percent of Americans with televisions in their homes watch PBS over the course of a year.PBS has been around since 1969 with “Sesame Street” joining the network that same year. “Sesame Street” holds sentimental value to young people. Most young adults remember watching the program every morning with favorites like Elmo, Cookie Monster, Burt and Ernie, and, of course, Big Bird.If the programming is cut from federal spending then children, teenagers and adolescents will lose their childhood along with a valuable television show that provides educational and social learning. In Pittsburgh, Point Park University students are experiencing the effects of the presidential election.Students were able to register for the upcoming election when they were prompted to do so right outside the university. This went on until the final day to register on Oct. 9.In Market Square on Oct. 9, a group of Obama supporters protested with signs that said “Save Big Bird. Vote Obama” and “Mitt: Soft on Wall Street, Tough on Sesame Street.” There was also an appearance by Big Bird himself as someone dressed in a costume tried to get more supporters by offering them to hold a sign “I’ve Got His Back” and taking a picture with the big yellow bird.Point Park students have a choice now: to vote for Obama or Romney. It is the votes of the young people that made a difference in the 2008 election, and it will be their voices that will make a difference this year.