THE UNIVERSITY OF DAIRY KANSAS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21
ELECTION 2008
3C
This is why I decided to
VOTE
BY MICHAEL HOLTZ mholtz@kansan.com
By now, you've probably heard the arguments of who to support and why. You know the issues, the candidates and the plans for the future of our country. You've been constantly reminded of the historical significance of this election and the enormous obstacles we as a country will face when it's over.
But none of this would matter or even exist if it weren't for one fundamental cornerstone of democracy – the right to vote.
Tomorrow, on Nov. 4, your vote is what it all comes down to.
So what does your vote mean?
"Voting is your power," said Barbara Ballard, associate director of civic programming and outreach at the Dole Institute and 16-year state representative (D). "It's our way of having our wishes known and our voices heard."
"It's a duty, that's simply it."
said Ann Cudd, associate dean of humanities and professor of social and political philosophy. "It's the duty of all citizens to vote and express their opinions."
Voting can be defined as your dutiful power or your powerful duty to this country. Voting is essential to what it means to live in a democracy and it is not to be taken for granted.
"Democracy isn't free," Ballard said. "It doesn't just happen. This is our democracy. If we don't take
an active part in it, who will?"
Soon the reigns of this democracy will be passed on to their generation, for better or for worse, and it'll be their responsibility to ensure its preservation.
By voting, you are effectively laying a brick in what will become the foundation of this country's future.
What do you think? AS A PREVIOUS HILLARY SUPPORTER, WHAT DO YOU THINK NOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES?
That future is on their generation's hands.
"We've more than doubled the number of people registered since SLAB has been an organization this year compared to any year past." Gray said.
Ballard said that she expected this election to be unprecedented in the number of 18-24-year-old voters, a sizeable demographic that had been underrepresented in years past.
difficult for students to avoid the issues of the election.
"Unless we get our economy going strong again, unemployment will be high and that will directly affect students' pocket books," Cudd said. "Even while they're here loans will not be very easy to get and will be expensive."
"Students want to move the country in a different direction," Ballard said. "They want to see an outcome they can agree with."
BAILEY STANISLAV Shawnee junior
JENNIFER SCALES
"As soon as Hillary wasn't in the race, my vote went to McCain because I don't like Obama, and that was before McCain picked Palin as the vice presidential candidate. I didn't know a lot about Palin, but it made me want to research her more and now that I have, I think she has the credentials to be vice president."
CHELSEA ROUDYBUSH Olathe junior
"I think with her experience and her being in the White House, she (Hillary) would have been a stronger candidate than Obama, but I'm still voting for Barack because he'll definitely be better than McCain and Palin."
JENNIFER SCALES Girad second-year law student "I knew that whichever one (Obama or Hillary) prevailed, I would vote for them, but as the President of the National Organization for Women, KU chapter, we endorsed Hillary. I don't think Palin's the most qualified, but I'm not going to tear down other women that are trying to be successful."
"We are the ones that are going to feel the effects of Washington longer than anyone else," said Michael Gray, Buhler junior and legislative director of the Student Legislative Awareness Board. "By casting a vote you're saying you want to have a future as bright as your parents."
Successful student registration efforts, including registration tables set up by SLAB, have noticed a galvanized student interest in this year's election.
That outcome will affect everything from global warming to health care, from the war in Iraq to the economy.
So what if you don't vote?
Simply put, this election is something their generation cannot afford to ignore or mess up.
For example, given the current economic crisis, which will inevitably affect student loans and the future job market, it is increasingly
For starters, you'll have no room to complain if the election doesn't go the way you had wanted.
"We always vote to have our voices heard and to make a difference," ballard said. "If you sit back and do nothing then you know you didn't try to make a difference."
Tomorrow, on Nov. 4, making that difference is nothing to be taken lightly, and with your vote it can become a reality.
Edited by Jennifer Torline
KANSAS NEEDS A NEW APPROACH TO ENERGY
marci francisco 2nd district·kansas senate
Senator Marci Francisco is the green candidate
In the 2nd District State Senate race
We don't need to think about more coal plants. Instead, John wants to work with Governor Sebelius on a comprehensive energy policy that taps our state's wind potential while emphasizing energy efficiency and conservation.A vote for John will ensure that Kansas becomes a leader in wind and other renewable energy sources.
Marci Francisco helped start the city's reuse and reecycling program when she served on the City Commission.
Marci Fransisco is endorced by the Sierra Club and earned 9 out of 9 on the Kansas Natural Resource Council legislative score card.
Marci Francisco voted against the bills allowing construction of new coal-fired plants.
www.marciforsenate.com Paid for by Marci for Senate Sally Hayden, Treasurer
John WILSON
FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
www.johnwilsonforkansas.com
Bringing New Energy to Topeka.
Working for You.
Paid for by John Wilson for Kansas, Julia Gaughan, Treasurer.
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