Informed Voting
| Published 10/22/04

Graphic by: Zoe Brown

Here comes the home stretch. After millions of dollars and sketchy campaign ads -- including a new brand of ketchup -- the presidential race is coming to a long and painful end. This last week of the campaign trail is bringing out everything, good and bad, about both campaigns. President Bush and Senator Kerry are pulling out all their tricks to sway pivotal swing voters in key battleground states, including the infamous stateof Florida.  By now, Americans have heard all about Senator Kerry's three purple hearts, Dan Rather's goof with the National Guard letters, and President Bush's coined phrase, "flip-flop."  Here's the real question: Who are you voting for?

I've encountered many outspoken students around campus in the last few weeks, and what I have discovered is a phenomenon that has not occurred in a typical student's lifetime. Voters are either for Bush, or they are against Bush. I have not met a single person that supports Kerry's election based on his experience and what he has said he will do in office.

Go ahead; ask a Kerry supporter why they are voting for him. I will guarantee that their answer will include something like, "Well President Bush..." No, the question was "Why are you voting for Kerry?" not "Why are you voting against the President?"

I understand the dilemma students are facing in this presidential election; many are moderates who find it hard to sort through all the accusations, hypocritical statements, and the true record behind a candidate's service.

Luckily, there is an extraordinary citizen called an "informed voter." This individual is able to sort through the nonsense, find the core platforms of each candidate, and make an informed decision for their vote based on who they think will perform the best in office. Unfortunately for America, we are left with voters that base their decision on whose campaign slogan is the funniest, who the news stations favored, and, my favorite, who everyone else around them is voting for.

Has America really come to a point where all the resources a person needs to make an informed decision are a mere click away, yet people are still basing their vote on ridiculous campaign tricks and peer pressure? These people are not voting for the next president; they are voting for the campaign advertisers who did their job the best.

So, how does a student at RU voice their opinion and become an "informed voter"? Well, fortunately for students here, there are two great political student organizations to get involved with: the College Republicans and the Young Democrats.

  Not interested in politics? Attend student debates, open issue forums and talk to student activists of both parties. The time is now to become an ideal American citizen and make a decision based on candidates' performance and their real plan for the next four years. This election will make history and will directly affect our lives as every student here graduates and finds a permanent job in this great country under the elected candidate's leadership. Become involved; let your voice be heard, and above all, make an informed decision on November 2nd.