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A word from your local ASG 10/28

The Commuter

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

ASG President Nic Bowman

I am not going to pretend like I did a bunch of research on this topic; I am not an expert. I will not generate statistics to impress you. Instead, I will speak from my heart. Each of you reading this article is an intelligent being, capable of complex thought processes – reasoning. Understand that this exposition is of my own personal opinions and views, and that I speak from my own experiences and life-long development. I shall also apologize if the nature of this article over-steps the bounds of this column’s intended use.

Does having the right to vote create more tension and hostility than societies ran within a governing style that reflects more authoritarian policies? Having to debate sides of an issue, going through the process of determining winners and losers, and then having both sides coexist in one world. Don’t these examples seem like feasible justifications to end democracy? Why not just do whatever the government says? It seems to me that many individuals are just fine with not participating in one of their most liberating freedoms. (Once again, this is my opinion. Also, I appreciate and acknowledge the fact that some individuals may feel the side effects of liberation from other forms of freedom such as religion, guns, or pornography.)

Would some people really prefer to live in an area of the world where those same rights were denied? Living under a strict rule could alleviate some of the pressures of having to know what’s going on in the environment around you. Right? Again, I speak only from observation, but it really does seem as though many people would just like to be told what to do… until something comes up that might actually affect them and then they want to have the right to bitch about it. In a land where we have the freedom and right to vote, we also have the same freedom and right to not. It appears to be a much rarer thing, day-by-day, to see issues that enthrall the public as a whole. We, as a people, are divided and fragmented – lost without dialogue. Could voting bridge the dialectal gap?

I believe that personal freedoms and liberties should be acknowledged, accepted, and then acted upon. Engage in the life that is yours.

The ASG is launching its Voter Registration/Education Campaign this week. For information, registration cards, and opportunities to get involved come by the Student Life & Leadership office or contact us at ASGPRES@linnbenton.edu.

Nic Bowman
ASG President

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