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opinion
Imagine Donald Trump sensuously swaying while "Hips Don't Lie" plays in the background.
KANSAN.COM | MONDAY, OCT.17, 2016
ahhh. Tis the season of the endless sounds of people sniffing their snot back into their nose.
Waiting for the LSAT is like waiting for God's verdict on the rest of my life
I think not thinking about my aesthetic is my aesthetic
Squirrels or, as I like to call them, land pigeons
Some teachers lack common decency. Like please wait until *after* I finish my eyeliner to start class.
I switched phone carriers and don't get service at the Cave anymore. What am I living for
Apply for an internship with us: we'll need your resume, cover letter, birth certificate, samples, Social Security Number, references, signed servant contract and first-born child.
God bless the facilities guy who blows the leaves off the sidewalks in the morning
Woke up to a friend's puke on my carpet. How's your Sunday going??
Everything is Terrible a book written by me, researched by me, funded by me illustrated by me published by me
I swear that the only place outside on Jayhawk where I get wi-fi is in the middle of crosswalks.
Did I get punched in the face? No, a mosquito decided to bite my eye
I've never been so happy in my life - my mom bought and shipped me a vacuum to my apartment lol
The Trumps threatening to sue every time a news story breaks is like how I threaten to drop out of school every time I get an assignment I don't want to do
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Illustration by Jacob Benson
Munoz: Only voters can fix political system
▶ VINCE MUNOZ
@vmunoz_18
As the election season winds down, many of us are eager for it to be over. But as tempting as it might be, we shouldn't forget what we have experienced for nearly the past two years. Regardless of who wins, this is the perfect opportunity to ask difficult questions about our country, especially what caused our politics to get so out of hand?
Some would blame our absurd campaign finance laws that allow campaigns
to raise seemingly endless amounts of money from special interests. Others may point to gerrymandering, the process of redrawing congressional districts to benefit one party over the other. Several ca. didates have claimed the election rules were rigged against their supporters.
But the truth may be even more discouraging. Rather than some insidious force that can be changed with the right law, it may just be voters.
There are several ways in which voters may inadvertently be rewarding problematic politicians who refuse to compromise. The first is that voters are not educated enough to make informed decisions. For example, voters' opinions on the Affordable Care Act differ from their opinions on
Obamacare. In reality, there is no difference between the two; one is merely the nickname of the other. However, a poll conducted in 2013-a full three years after it was passed -found that 37 percent of Americans oppose the ACA while 46 percent oppose Obamacare.
Another factor may be that voters don't care to see compromise."
Another factor may be that voters don't care to see compromise. As of 2014, 66 percent of Republicans would rather have their party leaders "stick to positions" made during campaigns
rather than "compromise." Some members of both parties may say that this sentiment is justified, but the reality is that our system was built for compromise, not brinksmanship.
All of this begs the question: what can be done to fix the system?
While I would absolutely agree that we should enact meaningful reforms to campaign finance, congressional redistricting and our primary systems, voters have to work harder to make our democracy work at the ballot box. It can be exhausting to be bombarded with misleading political ads, but the reason campaigns use them is because they work. If voters take time to improve their media literacy skills and think critically about what they hear before accepting it, campaigns might actually
be forced to talk about the issues.
Additionally, voters should support candidates that are willing to compromise. There is a time and place to take a stand on principle, but it should be for truly extraordinary circumstances, not routine behavior.
It might not be what any of us want to hear, but to fix our democracy, we have to work harder as citizens. Apathy is what got us into our current situation, it's not going to be what gets us out.
Vince Munoz is a junior from Topeka studying political science and strategic communications.
Pringle: Consider staying in KS after graduation
▶ JESSIE PRINGLE
@RealJessiePringle
"Anywhere but here" is the destination for many Jayhawks after graduation.
The hunt to find jobs outside of Kansas has started for many upperclassmen, while others are searching for internships that will hopefully evolve into job offers. Yet, there's a defense to consider Kansas as a place of employment after school, despite many frustrations regarding
job opportunities and state policies.
Kansas is at a critical point in which many residents are fleeing the state after graduating college. According to the Board of Regents' DegreeStats database, less than 50 percent of computer science, design, accounting, mathematics and anthropology graduates from the University of Kansas are employed in Kansas.
Kansas is at a critical point where many residents are fleeing the state after graduating college."
Now more than ever, University graduates are equipped to address the upcoming challenges of policy and technology that will impact this state's future. But, when fewer college graduates stay in Kansas to help sustain our communities, our state's livelihood will be weakened.
Kansas' needs are ever-changing. Because of this, the state needs citizens who will continue this tradition into the future.
The University boasts strong and meaningful tradition. While this tactic successfully recruits many to Mount Oread, a strong sense of tradition is an undeniable value in other state citizens as well. Our state has been a place of progress since its accession into the Union as a free state. This bold stance during a time of conflict marked the beginning of a tradition of fighting for the betterment of state citizens.
We can influence the trajectory and priorities of our state. We should ensure decisions are being made by those who are invested in the future of our state, and we should remind Kansans of their progressive roots, values and traditions. To be proud University alumni, we should commit to making our state better.
Many understand why President Abraham Lincoln believed in the people of Kansas when he said, "If I went West, I think I would go to Kansas." Kansas is known by many for its citizens' values, hard work and kindness. Lincoln's words breathe life into what the rest of the
The people of Kansas will always persevere and smile while doing so. But a global mindset is also invaluable to future decisions about the state. So, if you leave after graduation, do consider coming back, even if it is just for the annual Homecoming football game.
Being a Kansan is important.
Jessie Pringle is a graduate student from Chanute studying law.
country thinks we are: a stereotype that is more inviting than unflattering.
Edited by Cody Schmitz