Thursday, January 17, 2008
The year of 2008 is upon us. Not only is it a new year, but it is also a new semester, and we will face the trials of keeping new resolutions and the decision of voting for a new president in the upcoming election.
Although the actual date of election is about 11 months away, the importance of being educated on the decision is vital to our nation and our generation.
As a college student, I have become significantly aware that my generation has automatically been placed into a category of not caring and not knowing. We are considered to be one of the most apathetic groups in society, and we are negatively looked down on as being unaware of not only our nation’s politics but of the rest of the world’s as well.
When looking at the statistics, it’s understandable why people are disappointed in the political action occurring on campuses nationwide.
According to the U.S. Census, 47 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted in the 2004 presidential election — not even half of the eligible voters in our age group went to the polls.
Our voter turnout numbers are low, and our political awareness is just not there. In fact, a recent study performed on a number of campuses nationwide found that a majority of college students could name all three judges on American Idol, but they could not name a single Supreme Court Judge.
I’m not surprised.
The purpose of this is not to get you to go to the polls and increase the numbers. It is to encourage you to learn and to become an involved, well educated citizen.
I’m not suggesting countless hours of research and studying, but I am encouraging some simple, well educated knowledge.
In fact, many of the candidates have their own Web sites, and many others are writing their own blogs.
This is a great way to reach the tech-savvy youth of today, and it’s much easier for politicians to tailor their writings to a younger generation, so that the interest among us is created.
If reading isn’t your style, take a venture over to www.youtube.com, where a number of candidates have created their own political messages for your viewing pleasure.
The core issue here is that as a young adult in America, it’s important for us to view voting as a civil duty, not an irritating inconvenience or outdated ritual.
We must engage in actions that improve our state of life, and we must become politically aware of core issues facing our nation.
With that said, I encourage everyone to take this semester and educate themselves. Get involved. Ask questions. Register to vote.
Durbin is a Hays junior in journalism.
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