Every four years or so we're granted the ability to see a Presidential primary, which, as this year is proving, usually isn't too horribly exciting.
Then we come to local elections and primaries: city/state, county, school boards, and around these parts: SGA elections.
Yes, spring is an exciting time for politics: with campaign managers screamin', candidates debating, voters questioning, signs plastered all over creation and an ambulance driving nearby streets.
A what?
Since when did this campus become a three ring circus with a $20,000 Ferris wheel?
Oh wait -- that "wheel" thing is care of UPB...eh, doesn't matter: it's still a waste of money.
Just like the ambulance.
Last time I checked, this was an SGA election, not a parade of vehicles, posters and clothing.
These elections are held for the benefit of those involved with the university -- those who care and/or are affected by the issues at hand. I would hope that we have not reduced ourselves to thinking the only way to win an election is by finding the most asinine way to promote one's own slate.
One would also hope that there are still a few people on this campus that care about the issues facing this university.
There's an interesting word: issues.
With "The Great Slate Debate" on its way this evening, I would certainly hope the audience, along with the candidates, will take the time to discuss said issues in-depth.
Although I have seen the slate's platforms and agree with both in many areas, I do feel they may be off in a few places.
Team Tietz has vowed in their Platform to "work with Muncie officials" to change the lights on and around campus to "flashing" during the late night and early morning hours. They also hope to decrease the number of "no right turns on red" around and in campus.
Great - just what the already absurd number of drunk and college-level drivers need: fewer travel restrictions.
Last time I checked, we had city and county governments in charge of the roads around here. Horribly maintained as they may be, when did this become SGA's jurisdiction?
[It is only fair to state that Jayson Manship's slate is attempting to lower the speed limit on McKinley Avenue as well.]
Manship's slate also produces a wonderful cure to something SGA was fighting for so strongly last semester. The slate's platform suggests a new DVD rental store be added to campus; in the Student Center, of all places.
Irony! That's the same building SGA has been pushing to rebuild. Perhaps Manship and his team can persuade the rest of SGA to follow in the right direction. After all, by providing things to do in the Student Center, it therefore has great potential to become the center for students.
Don't get me wrong: both slates have some very good points in their platforms; I just hope they focus on the real problems here; both in debate, and for the lucky winners: their term.
Such "issue discussing" also requires the slates not take themselves down to a middle school student government mentality of pointing fingers. Case and point: ripping down the opposing slate's signs, and leaving said opponent to complain about aforementioned actions.
Every moment spent arguing and complaining is a moment lost between the candidates and the roughly 18,000 people on this campus.
Slates: those are your voters -- meet them.
And by the way: I got the point after the first 10 signs I saw... on the same kiosk. I wanted to tear down the signs, and I'm not even running.
Save some trees and start using your people skills.
Tonight is the last major time for the slates to make an impact with the student body. Will they live up to the challenge?
It's up to us students to get out to TC 101 tonight and find out.
Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls of all ages: let the real politics begin.
Just be sure to leave the nonsense publicity stunts at home.
Write to Dave at heydave@bewilderedsociety.com
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