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REALITY CHECK: Future belongs to voters
by David Litvak
Columnists | 10/7/08
Posted online at 5:40 AM EST on 10/7/08
Brandeis University as an institution has always had a rich history of political involvement and activism. From the 1969 takeover of Ford Hall to the controversial invitation of speakers like former President Jimmy Carter to campus to the glut of advocacy or activist groups here, Brandeis has rarely shied away from participating in, even openly challenging, the world around it.
That said, most of us are obviously also students, and oftentimes our obligations as students can overtake other, less pressing considerations. If it comes down to working on that paper due tomorrow morning or going to that rally in Boston, chances are the paper will win every time. And that's probably as it should be-after all, we're students first.
But this year's presidential election provides a unique opportunity for us, both as students and as citizens. We will never vote for president again while undergraduates here, for one, and the showdown between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain has been called perhaps the most important political contest in more than a generation. Our student body hails from over 50 foreign countries, but more immediately from almost every state in the Union.
Of our student body, 75 percent of students are from out of state, and most of us are eligible to vote this year. It's certainly understandable if we haven't been able to find the time to register absentee, or else register here in Massachusetts, and of course filling out and mailing the ballot takes up precious time as well.
Take a moment to consider the myriad problems facing our next president. A resurgent Russia has begun to flex its military and political muscles in the Caucasus and in eastern Europe. China's economic juggernaut seems to be moving full steam ahead, with little hint of letting off for the foreseeable future.
American relations with Latin America have cooled, and any sort of commitment to a lasting peace in Israel and Palestine has been absent, to say the least. As the War in Iraq finally seems to be turning around, the war in Afghanistan is going increasingly poorly; between them, Iran continues to exert its growing regional influence. An ever more unstable Pakistan threatens American efforts in Afghanistan and presents a threat to the nuclear security of all nations.
That said, most of us are obviously also students, and oftentimes our obligations as students can overtake other, less pressing considerations. If it comes down to working on that paper due tomorrow morning or going to that rally in Boston, chances are the paper will win every time. And that's probably as it should be-after all, we're students first.
But this year's presidential election provides a unique opportunity for us, both as students and as citizens. We will never vote for president again while undergraduates here, for one, and the showdown between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain has been called perhaps the most important political contest in more than a generation. Our student body hails from over 50 foreign countries, but more immediately from almost every state in the Union.
Of our student body, 75 percent of students are from out of state, and most of us are eligible to vote this year. It's certainly understandable if we haven't been able to find the time to register absentee, or else register here in Massachusetts, and of course filling out and mailing the ballot takes up precious time as well.
Take a moment to consider the myriad problems facing our next president. A resurgent Russia has begun to flex its military and political muscles in the Caucasus and in eastern Europe. China's economic juggernaut seems to be moving full steam ahead, with little hint of letting off for the foreseeable future.
American relations with Latin America have cooled, and any sort of commitment to a lasting peace in Israel and Palestine has been absent, to say the least. As the War in Iraq finally seems to be turning around, the war in Afghanistan is going increasingly poorly; between them, Iran continues to exert its growing regional influence. An ever more unstable Pakistan threatens American efforts in Afghanistan and presents a threat to the nuclear security of all nations.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Michael L. Wagner
posted 10/13/08 @ 3:01 PM EST
Some other points to consider:
--First hike up rates, next offer foreclosed houses at market value--versus what's still owed--such a property is an ASSET to banks, not a liability!!!
Obama's Finance Chairman (Penny Pritzker) = behind the sub-prime crisis!!!
McCain's Campaign Co-Chairman (Phil Gramm) = enabled Enron!!!
Any increase in domestic oil production = even higher windfall profits = closer scrutiny!!!
The Colossal Magnetic Levitation Wind Turbine's output = a small nuclear power plant = a tiny $53 million price tag = $. (Continued…)
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