2008 Woodie Awards
Issues in the race more than skin deep
Andrew Myzska
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Opinion
With many more months of campaigning still to come, this column may seem a little premature. However, it is never too early to learn the issues of our presidential candidates.
This race sets the precedent for any and all future candidates running for the highest position in our government. Since the beginning, two of the candidates - Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton - have been the targets of never-ending scrutiny. These two candidates have stirred up voters for the obvious reasons. Still, I find many people are not listening to what the candidates have to say. They are only noticing what Obama and Clinton look like.
Democrats are split down the middle when it comes to these two senators. Should we have a black president or a woman president? Believe it or not, more people are focusing on this issue, even though it shouldn't be an issue to begin with. The real question is, "Do these candidates stand for what I believe this country should stand for?"
Most people are so distracted by the candidates' appearances they are not taking the time to find out what Obama's plan for our economy is. I can think of only a handful of people who know what Clinton's plan is for Iraq. Does anyone know where either candidate stands on public education?
If anybody has already made up their mind on which candidate they are going to vote for without knowing that candidate's stance on important issues, I have one request for them: do not vote. I know this request is completely opposite of what the newest generation of voters has been hearing, but let me explain.
It would be better for an individual to not cast a ballot if they don't care rather than casting a vote based on physical appearance alone. The only thing worse than apathy is ignorance. Choosing a candidate because of physical appearance is not only a bad basis for making such an important decision, it is also essentially un-American.
Doing research on a chosen candidate can also be enlightening. You might find out your chosen candidate is in opposition to what your views are and the person you believe should never be president has the same opinions as you.
Personally, I believe in the idea that race and gender should not be a factor in this presidential election. I also believe that should Obama or Clinton win in the end, this country will finally fulfill what it has been promising: equality.
I would be very pleased to see this country begin to turn in a new direction, no matter who wins. Historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Carrie Catt have taught us when people stand up for what they believe in, the end result is usually for the best.
Please, if this election is important to you, take the time and do your research instead of voting on one, skin-deep characteristic.
This race sets the precedent for any and all future candidates running for the highest position in our government. Since the beginning, two of the candidates - Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton - have been the targets of never-ending scrutiny. These two candidates have stirred up voters for the obvious reasons. Still, I find many people are not listening to what the candidates have to say. They are only noticing what Obama and Clinton look like.
Democrats are split down the middle when it comes to these two senators. Should we have a black president or a woman president? Believe it or not, more people are focusing on this issue, even though it shouldn't be an issue to begin with. The real question is, "Do these candidates stand for what I believe this country should stand for?"
Most people are so distracted by the candidates' appearances they are not taking the time to find out what Obama's plan for our economy is. I can think of only a handful of people who know what Clinton's plan is for Iraq. Does anyone know where either candidate stands on public education?
If anybody has already made up their mind on which candidate they are going to vote for without knowing that candidate's stance on important issues, I have one request for them: do not vote. I know this request is completely opposite of what the newest generation of voters has been hearing, but let me explain.
It would be better for an individual to not cast a ballot if they don't care rather than casting a vote based on physical appearance alone. The only thing worse than apathy is ignorance. Choosing a candidate because of physical appearance is not only a bad basis for making such an important decision, it is also essentially un-American.
Doing research on a chosen candidate can also be enlightening. You might find out your chosen candidate is in opposition to what your views are and the person you believe should never be president has the same opinions as you.
Personally, I believe in the idea that race and gender should not be a factor in this presidential election. I also believe that should Obama or Clinton win in the end, this country will finally fulfill what it has been promising: equality.
I would be very pleased to see this country begin to turn in a new direction, no matter who wins. Historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Carrie Catt have taught us when people stand up for what they believe in, the end result is usually for the best.
Please, if this election is important to you, take the time and do your research instead of voting on one, skin-deep characteristic.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
mike
posted 3/07/08 @ 8:43 AM CST
Also, do some research on McCain you might like him more than these two.
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