The Justice

And through all this, the American economy has first slowed, then faltered, then stumbled and now seems to be on the verge of a downright catastrophe. Unemployment is at its highest point in five years, and this year alone over 600,000 Americans have lost their jobs; the potential for students like us to acquire jobs after graduation is also adversely affected. As liquidity in the credit markets seizes up, items like student loans will become increasingly more difficult to obtain, let alone to pay back years from now.

Whom do you want running this country as these crises worsen or ease up, or as new crises rise to the fore? The Democrat, Obama? The Republican, McCain? Perhaps an Independent, like Bob Barr? No one gets a say without registering to vote in the first place, and the options for registration are becoming increasingly limited.

For many states, absentee registration deadlines have passed or are fast approaching. About half of all the states have already reached their deadlines for registration and it is too late there, but Massachusetts' deadline for registration is Oct. 15.

Many crucial swing states this election cycle also have yet to reach their registration deadlines. New Hampshire's deadline is Oct. 25, as is Iowa's, and while Missouri's is this Wednesday, Minnesota and Wisconsin's deadlines are Oct. 14 and 15, respectively. Deadlines for states heavily represented in the Brandeis student body, like California, New York and New Jersey, are coming up in the next week or two, and several other states also have yet to reach their registration deadlines.

There is still enough time to register to vote absentee, if you have yet to do so. Remember also that some of the most contested states in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections were decided by only a few thousand votes. Now, more than ever, your vote can have a major impact. The future belongs to those who show up.

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