Presidential Election '08

“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Mohandas Gandhi

Right-wing, and left- wing; conservative and liberal. These are the concepts that dominate our current political system. You’re either Democrat or Republican to be taken seriously. The two far ends of the political spectrum, and their zealot supporters have placed a blanket ban on one now ugly word: Independent.

Mainstream politicians fear Independents because they are different. Many other politicians are swept under the rug for the same reasons; Libertarian, Green, Constitutionalist, and Centrist alike are all disowned because they are independent. But what is so truly wrong about being different?

I advocate the Independent parties because they fight the tide of conformity. They walk the path not many dare to tread. Because of them I choose to turn neither left nor right, but form my own identity right down the middle.

Shane Roerk – Sophomore
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American ears have only heard empty words and broken promises thus far into the 2008 presidential election. The words "hope" and "change" hold little meaning when trying to whisper them to a country over the commotion of its collapsing economy and corrupt priorities. Faith in the government is scarce in our country today. Much of it, though, is being instilled in the future and placed in the hands of who will be our next president.

Over the course this election, Americans have given all they can to ensure that the best man will be in office next year. We are once again placing our faith in the hands of the government in hopes that "change for the future" is not just a political slogan and that it can be achieved.

Savannah Hoover – Junior
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This election, it seems that too many voters’ decisions are being persuaded by superficial factors such as skin color, age, and celebrity endorsements and less by the candidates’ plans or views. Almost everyone has chosen who they will be voting for by now, but when I ask why, I’m taken aback by their reasoning. All I can do is roll my eyes when I hear someone say that he is going for Obama “because he is black” or because “Oprah said so.” It’s is equally frustrating to hear someone pulling for McCain because he has a female running mate or because he put down Paris Hilton in a campaign ad. It’s situations like these that make me think that the candidates are not being taken seriously. Something is obviously wrong when more people know the results from “Dancing with the Stars” better than those from the presidential debate. When the candidates joke around, throw insults and act unprofessionally, the public can’t help but to treat politics similarly to a substandard reality television show.

Amanda Powers – Junior
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The names of John McCain, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, and Joe Biden have become common household words, and it is not atypical to see them in newspaper headlines everyday. The publicity they receive from the media is colossal, and in the midst of all the propaganda, I cannot help but wonder where the names of the other presidential candidates and their vice-presidents are mentioned. The constitution ensures every citizen with unalienable rights designed to protect the minority from the majority. In this case, candidates outside the Republican and Democrat parties are the minority. According to the First Amendment, we have freedom of press, but the press is not covering the minority: third party candidates. In turn, seldom do we hear people arguing about the standpoints of candidates other than McCain or Obama. The members of other parties deserve as much publicity because it is their right as mandated by the constitution.

Irina Miralda – Junior
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While many of my peers would choose to watch the latest SpongeBob rerun on television rather than the insipid presidential debates, I would choose the exact opposite, as the importance of being clued in to who exactly our candidates are is becoming increasingly known to me over these past few months.

It is important for us to keep up with the election news and give our thoughts about it. The opinions of our peers do influence our mindset; if you are constantly around people who are knowledgeable about the candidates, chances are you will become knowledgeable too. Unlike most elections in the past, today’s youth are having more of an impact on the vote. In other words, pay attention. SpongeBob doesn’t care who is running our country.

Rebekah Furey – Senior