Like so many others in the last few months, I have jumped on the political bandwagon. After solemnly swearing to never write about anything political in this column, I am conforming to social norms and writing my column about none other than the dreaded political affairs. Before you roll your eyes and start to flip the page - wait. I'm trying to make this more interesting than the typical blah blah blah "boringness" that so often seems to come with politics.
First of all, this election is downright riveting. I realize I just sounded like a huge nerd, but for those of you who have not paid attention to the debates, Super Tuesday, primaries and campaigns I suggest you start doing so. This election is said to be one of the most interesting, tightest and intense in history and to miss out on this would be a shame. Not only that, but following what goes on in your world and who is campaigning to run the country is a vital component to worldly intelligence and knowledge in general. What these individuals decide will directly affect your future and therefore should be acknowledged and investigated by you. So many people know exactly what is going on with Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan but couldn't even give a brief overview of the candidate's platforms, which personally I find very frustrating. You have a right and a responsibility as an American citizen to vote, so please do so.
Another aspect almost as ignorant as ignoring the presidential election completely is claiming to support or dislike a candidate when you know virtually nothing about that candidate besides the fact that they are black, married to Bill Clinton or of the Mormon religion. Although I recognize part of the beauty of living in America is giving everyone the right to vote, I just hope that it's an educated vote. Claiming to hate Hillary Clinton because she is married to Bill, not like Barack Obama because he is black or Mitt Romney because he's a Mormon is not using that vote wisely. So many people claim that they "won't vote for Hillary because she is a Clinton" but can't say anything regarding her actual platform. I persuade everyone to research before you start declaring who you will and will not vote for.
An excellent Web site for figuring out if your platform matches actual candidates' is ontheissues.org/Quiz.htm. I thought I supported someone entirely different than who I actually do before I took this quiz. It matches your social and economic beliefs to the candidate that matches them the best. I understand that personality also plays into a vote, but I feel this Web site does an accurate job representing the candidates' issues and seeing where you stand. I encourage you to take the quiz, do your research, vote and, most importantly, care about what is going on in the world around you.
Write to Jessica at jemohr@bsu.edu
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