STAFF EDITORIAL
Let’s face it. Pepperdine is not the most politically diverse campus, and consequently, it’s not the most politically active college. However, just because Pepperdine lacks activism does not mean students should not vote in California’s special elections.
Only half of qualified voters in the United States go to the polls, according to William Hudson in “American Democracy is Peril.”
Furthermore, the United States is ranked next to the last country in voter turnout. This is not right. In a country that claims to be a democracy, it is essential for its citizens to vote. Otherwise, it is just another country run by the elite, not representing the common good.
It is time to make a change and rectify the lack of participation of citizens. If other countries that are not full-fledged democracies can bring more people to the polls than America, it is certainly time to increase the amount of people voting.
On Nov. 8, students have a chance to vote for or against somethings in which they do or do not believe as well as show the rest of the world that Americans do care about the state.
“The initiative is the power of the people of California to propose statutes and amendments to the California Constitution,” wrote Secretary of State Bruce McPherson on the state Web site.
However, if Californians do not vote, there is no power of the people, and the idea of the initiative is senseless as well as meaningless.
Not only are we urging students to vote, but we are also urging students to vote with informed decisions about the propositions. This task should not be too daunting for students who are used to analyzing many texts and evaluating them while working or participating in social activities.
It is time to analyze the proposals and evaluate them. There are no more excuses to be had. There are no dogs eating homework. There are no alarms not going off.
Students do not like to take tests unprepared, and they should not like to vote unprepared either. All it takes is a little research to be able to establish an opinion based on facts.
If students have not already registered, it is too late to vote this month — the registration deadline was Oct. 24. However, for those who have registered, make sure to go to the polls and vote next week. A student is just one voice out of many but an important voice all the same.
Some students may argue that the propositions will not directly affect them, and therefore, there is no need for them to vote. However, this is not true. The decisions will directly affect us.
After all, we are on our way to becoming adults; we can only stay in school so long. We will be entering the workforce in one to four years, and some of us will become teachers, while others of us will join unions while still others of us may need discounted prescription drugs. The 2005 initiatives will affect our lives. Therefore, it is common sense to vote and decide how we want our lives to shape.
In an ideal world, every vote would count. In this same ideal world, every voter would be informed. However, it is important to realize we are not living in an ideal world: America is no utopia, not everyone is equal, and not everyone votes.
Instead, America is filled with people who are apathetic.
For a democracy to work, citizens must look beyond their own needs to look for the greater good of a nation. Although getting everyone to vote is unlikely as well as lofty, it is important to strive for high participation. Only when the majority votes can a country represent the people. Cast your vote, make a stance, and contribute to society.
11-03-2005