Teachers overrunning the Wisconsin Statehouse. Union protests in Indianapolis. There was even a group of Ball State students taking to the offices of Rep. Mike Pence and the Republican headquarters over the weekend.
Some people are clearly unhappy with the direction the country has gone since Republicans swept control of the Indiana General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives. And they're making their feelings known, showing up to rail against the powers that be.
While The Daily News recognizes and commends these people for acting in peaceful protest against what they believe to be injustice, this is also an important reminder that you could have done something about it in November.
Ah yes, those pesky midterm elections — the ones we students were too busy to bother with. Only 22.8 percent of eligible voters ages 18 to 29 participated in the November midterms, according to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.
Where was the groundswell against Pence during his run for office? It's not as if his positions have drastically changed. Trying to campaign against his Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act isn't going to bother him nearly as much when he is safely in office for two more years.
To those of you who support the Republicans and their agenda: Congratulations. You won this round. You may want to get as many changes through as quickly as possible, though.
To the rest of you: Keep making your voices heard. Start the movement now that you won't stand for a country that takes away teachers' rights and makes them compete against one another for pay. Let your legislators know that you will be keeping an eye on them until 2012, and if they aren't representing you and your beliefs, you'll wipe them out of office as quickly as they swoop into it.
The challenge here is to follow through. As students, it's easy to ignore politics, but this should be a firsthand learning experience as to what can happen when you have a lackadaisical attitude.
The jobs they are making changes to are the same ones students will be going for in just a few years. The new rules will have a huge effect on our lives, even if we don't feel it today.
Complaining can only accomplish so much. Action, whether it be writing a letter or organizing a protest, is what garners the eyes and ears of politicians.
Let them know that Ball State students are paying attention.
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