4
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, November 5,1968
Election reflects dissatisfaction
Today America goes to the polls.
And after the election returns are final, one man will accept the responsibility of trying to measure, direct and legislate the temper of the American people for the next four years.
people for the next four years. Whoever is elected, whether he be Democrat, Republican or American Independent, is inheriting a difficult job this year. For the average American citizen is in a very bad humor today.
The campaign has emphasized a multitude of angry voices in the United States and many of the voices won't be stilled by the election of a President.
The black American is one of the voices. This year the campaign managed to practically sidestep his causes by zeroiding in on law and order and barely mentioning civil rights. The candidates chose to appeal to the middle class or lower class American as a larger voting bloc and almost ignored the demands and grievances of a Negro minority.
Another angry voice is that of the lower class white citizen who fears the loss of economic security from the advance of civil rights, who fears rising prices and inflation, who fears the "bureaucrats" and "intellectuals" that he is convinced are trying to dupe him. This voice, also, cannot be answered by a President who promises law and
order but does nothing to help the economic or educational security of the lower class.
The American middle class is another voice, less strident but vocal, demanding change from the way things are going. Law and order is necessary, they say, thinking the very phrase a panacea for deeper social ills and for dissension. The values they have learned to consider as the fiber of Americanism are being threatened and they want a change—perhaps a return—to the security of those values.
The war in Vietnam provokes angry voices that cut through interest groups. The war seems impossible, unfathomable. Americans note the amount of money spent every second in Vietnam and groan over the problems in this country begging for money. They worry about the paradoxes of fighting for a country which seems to resent, even defy, the United States. They watch their children go off to fight a despised war and want fervently for it to be over.
Young dissenters raise still another angry voice of dissatisfaction. The system breeds ills so the system should be destroyed, they say. Now, they say. This year's candidates don't represent their anger and no ingrained parade is going to solve the problems they deplore.
The final days before election always reach a
point of disgust. By now average voters are weary of campaigning and even sometimes of the candidates. But this year as perhaps never before the disgust goes much deeper.
The American people want a change but a large percentage of the electorate doesn't believe that any of candidates can provide such a change. Many will vote for what they consider the lesser of two evils. Many more won't vote at all in silent manifestation of their disgust.
November 6 is not going to be the advent of paradise no matter which candidate is chosen. America's unrest is too deep for easy answers.
The election of a President this year isn't an ending or a solution to America's troubles. If we are very lucky it will be the beginning of facing these problems. No one man, not even a President, can face the problems alone or decide solutions. America has to begin the changes through each individual citizen.
If the United States is fortunate this year, it won't be solely because of a man elected President. Instead the good fortune might come from a citizenry who realize the dissatisfaction, carefully begin to scrutinize the problems that are being revealed and honestly try to begin to solve them.
Alison Steimel
Editorial Editor
Reflections on electing a President
Autumn leaves still fall, the Jayhawks have yet to lose, and our nation's President remains to be chosen.
For each there is a spotlighted moment and for each an uncertain end. But while autumn's decor carpets the awaiting ground and KU fans still wear the label of "number one" on their lapels; the uncertainty of choosing a President must somehow be resolved into certainty before this day ends.
Today the Gallops and the Harrises will be forgotten. The polling done today will reflect the decisions made by millions in the sanctity of the voting booth. Today a national leader will be chosen.
But what is even more disturbing than not knowing the name of the next President are the decisions made by many outside the voting booth.
To vote or not to vote is the question tearing at the minds and consciences of many Americans. If that question does not tear at the minds of potential voters it should—the consequences are great.
Not much more can be said for the citizen who cast a non-vote than can be said for the citizen who votes out of hatred and fear.
True, the right to vote also implies a right not to vote. But the use of the latter, like that of the former, carries with it the moral responsibility of the consequences. And the possible consequences of electing an unwise leader in this age are frightening.
In an age when the United States is a partner in the balance of terror, the electorate must share the responsibility with the leader it elects.
In an age when the United States can end the
In an age when the United States bleeds from the wounds of racial hatred and injustice, the electorate must share the responsibility with the leader it elects.
balance of terror with the pinicky push of a button, the electorate must share the responsibility with the leader it elects.
In an age when the pockmarks of poverty blight the richest nation on earth, the electorate must share the responsibility with the leader it elects.
If one says-as the protesting non-voter asserts there is no difference between the three major Presidential candidates, he has not looked at the candidates' records or personalities.
There is a difference. Enough of a difference to possibly determine the existence of this nation.
Richard Lundquist
Assistant Editorial Editor
Drinking, hospital woes
To the editor:
This letter is being written in response to those of Rick Lucas and Phil de la Cruz, which were recently published in the Kansan.
The concern of these two for justice is admirable, but I feel that they are misguided on a few points of concern to all KU students.
students. First of all, I would like to call to your attention that there is a higher law than that of the State of Kansas, which was cited in the previous letters. Men like John Locke and Thomas Jefferson called this the Law of Nature. I prefer to call it the Law of God.
Many great men, such as the Apostle Paul, have stated that we should obey the Laws of God even when they conflict with human statutes. Since this Law of God is a higher law than human statutes, then there is no legal prohibition on the use of alcohol by anyone any where or at any time.
This Law of God states in several places the Christianity of drinking (booze, that is). It is not my intention to deliver a sermon, but for those wishing to know my reasons for such a belief, I will currently cite I Timothy 5:23, Matthew 11:19, John 2, Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:12-13; 10:19; and Proverbs 17:22.
However, this is no excuse for anyone ever becoming drunk. The Bible constantly teaches moderation and temperance (not abstinence), as in II Peter 1:5,6. I am sure that all of us would agree that the proper place for
drunks is NOT in the middle of a football crowd.
I agree that the ushers and students of KU should take action to prevent another scene like that at the Oklahoma State game. But this should purely be for disturbing the peace, not for possessing booze. His hangover will punish anyone who gets drunk for that deed. But the police, who are not bound to the higher Law of God, should not go around searching the stands for good, Christian, booze.
May God be with us all.
Kansas City Junior
Christianus
To the Editor:
Why all the fuss about the KU student not being admitted to Lawrence Memorial Hospital? Heavens, anyone in their right mind can see that the guy was only going to either bleed to death or go into severe shock. That's not bad, though—after all, it happens every day and the world is overpopulated anyway. Those nurses know what they are doing.
Suppose that today I was near death from appendicitis, a compound fracture of my skull, and gangrene of the left toe. They would tell me, "Take one aspirin every two hours for pain and call your family doctor if you don't feel better by tomorrow morning." But, it's kinda odd—I swear that the nurse would mumble under her breath, "... if you live that long..."
Val Smith
Val Smith Lubbock, Texas Freshman
Paperback
DUFFY, by Harry Joe Brown Jr. (Dell, 50 cents)—One of those wild and improbable robberies, this one a multimillionaire's son, the mistress, and a plot to rob the father of several million dollars. It's a new movie.
A student newspaper serving the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
Published at the University of Kansas daily during the academic year except holidays and examination periods. Mail subscription rates: $6 a semester year. Second class postage paid. Mail in complements, good condition, advertised offered to all students without re-ceded to color, creed or national origin. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of Kansas or the State Board of Regents.
'Just tell your people there is no significant change in our position.'