Group involvement helps votes count

It is the time of the year when the University is abuzz with political debate.  Some are absolutely positive we need a change in office and policy while others are confident we should stay the course.  Also, year round there are plenty of complaints about university policy.  However when asked if they vote in either student government or Presidential elections most students say they don’t.  This problem begs the question how will students opinions ever result in change?

The obvious answer is that simple complaints without action will never change.  In 2007 fifty-1 percent of people 18 to 24 did not vote in the national election.  At the University, on average only 5 percent of students participate in Student government elections.  Our university is a microcosm of a serious political problem.

Now some individuals in our age group believe their participation is worthless.  A portion of college students believe candidates are out of touch with our age group or that a single vote cannot bring any change to our national or university problems.  Also, some students at the university say it’s difficult to reach the administration.

Now, there may be some validity in that, however, if they give up at this point then their political opinions are worthless and can even be perceived as an excuse to not make the effort to vote.

Certainly one vote cannot beat out the masses, and candidates may not know what our age group believes about the political issues and we are the only people that can change that.  Instead of being one vote, join a political organization with similar beliefs and make a difference as a group.  The University has organizations for both major political parties.  Through the student government students can stress their concerns to the administration.  As a group or even an individual you can write your state representative.  Change is possible but idle complaints and lack of participation just perpetuates the problem.

If we continue to sit idle and complain about our university or our county then a lack of change is the best we can hope for while.  However, if we as an age group take action then, with time, we will hopefully finally see the changes that we have wished for.