2008 Woodie Awards
A Word From Our Editors
Eric Anderson
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Opinions
For the office of president of the United States, the Manitou Messenger would like to endorse…
No one.
After all, what does a candidate endorsement mean? It's based on a similar attachment as that to a sports team, celebrating their highs and mourning their lows.
It's not that I don't prefer a candidate. I voted in the primary, but in my soundly Democratic home state, my vote doesn't matter. I don't hate politics, but I do hate election politics. That's the distinction I'd like to make: between the actual political process and the grand charade of election politics.
Rather than rave about a candidate as if you really care to hear more about two guys in suits, I'll instead use this space to look at election politics in America and at St. Olaf.
First, here's a prediction: the youth vote (ages 18-25) will turn out in numbers higher than ever, despite the absence of P. Diddy's eloquent 2004 "Vote or Die" campaign. Then the talking heads on TV and around campuses will laud America's youth for becoming more politically active.
I'm sorry, but signing your name to a registration form and blindly checking names on a ballot after someone yells at you from a Buntrock table doesn't qualify as political activism.
The election mentality sees Nov. 4 as the end. Heaven or hell. Political activism can't be about election. Politicians themselves already focus way too much of their own energy toward re-election. Whatever your thoughts about Monday's failed bailout plan, it's clear that the looming election cast a shadow over representatives' votes.
In a best-case scenario, citizens and students would engage in the political process, from the grassroots up to the Oval Office, 365 days each year.
I really believe in many of you at St. Olaf who are heavily invested in voter registration and particular candidates. You take politics seriously all the time.
But everyone: instead of expecting your candidate to change everything overnight (and don't forget that the incumbent stays in office for two more months), support them through personal change and political commitment. Also, just because you voted for them doesn't mean you can't criticize them and demand actual action.
Instead of succumbing to the petty politics you denounce, and calling "moosehunters" to watch the vice-presidential debate with your organization, uphold a standard that takes seriously the real issues at hand.
I ask this: engage in politics, not a candidate, and may God save us from the two-party system.
No one.
After all, what does a candidate endorsement mean? It's based on a similar attachment as that to a sports team, celebrating their highs and mourning their lows.
It's not that I don't prefer a candidate. I voted in the primary, but in my soundly Democratic home state, my vote doesn't matter. I don't hate politics, but I do hate election politics. That's the distinction I'd like to make: between the actual political process and the grand charade of election politics.
Rather than rave about a candidate as if you really care to hear more about two guys in suits, I'll instead use this space to look at election politics in America and at St. Olaf.
First, here's a prediction: the youth vote (ages 18-25) will turn out in numbers higher than ever, despite the absence of P. Diddy's eloquent 2004 "Vote or Die" campaign. Then the talking heads on TV and around campuses will laud America's youth for becoming more politically active.
I'm sorry, but signing your name to a registration form and blindly checking names on a ballot after someone yells at you from a Buntrock table doesn't qualify as political activism.
The election mentality sees Nov. 4 as the end. Heaven or hell. Political activism can't be about election. Politicians themselves already focus way too much of their own energy toward re-election. Whatever your thoughts about Monday's failed bailout plan, it's clear that the looming election cast a shadow over representatives' votes.
In a best-case scenario, citizens and students would engage in the political process, from the grassroots up to the Oval Office, 365 days each year.
I really believe in many of you at St. Olaf who are heavily invested in voter registration and particular candidates. You take politics seriously all the time.
But everyone: instead of expecting your candidate to change everything overnight (and don't forget that the incumbent stays in office for two more months), support them through personal change and political commitment. Also, just because you voted for them doesn't mean you can't criticize them and demand actual action.
Instead of succumbing to the petty politics you denounce, and calling "moosehunters" to watch the vice-presidential debate with your organization, uphold a standard that takes seriously the real issues at hand.
I ask this: engage in politics, not a candidate, and may God save us from the two-party system.
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