Sincere Voting

“Barak Obama works with Muslim terrorist organizations, Hillary Clinton fakes her tears for sympathy, and John McCain led a prison camp to freedom with a Rambo-style escape during his Vietnam War tour.” As false as the previous sentence is, there are many people across this nation who have made their voting decisions based on such bogus legends. If a voter has not taken the time to find out what a candidate for president supports and does not support, then the smart action would be to find out some facts about the candidate or do not vote at all.

Unfortunately, there are people within every break-room, classroom or place of social gathering who will not support certain candidates because of a tall-tale their racist, sexist, or ageist friend/parent/relative who told them. Anyone who takes the word of a biased informer without seeking answers from a credible source does not deserve a voice in this election; he or she does not deserve to vote! This election has been entrenched with hype over factors that have nothing to do with being a good president and everything to do with pop culture obsessions including Obama’s race, Hillary’s gender, and McCain’s war experience.

All candidates do their fair share of building up these trivial matters in public appearances, but behind the malarkey lay large amounts of information people need to know in order to decide if Clinton, Obama, or McCain is indeed the candidate for them. It is one thing to ask the stranger at the bus stop who happens to hate Hillary Clinton because her health care plan failed the first time she tried to pass it. But it’s a completely different scenario to hear her talk about her plans for health care while she debates against other candidates over the same subject.

Watching debates on television, researching campaign sites on the internet, or reading about the candidates in commendable publications are a few ways a voter can learn about a presidential candidate. However, the number of available forms of media to learn about the candidates is not the problem. The true issue lies with the voters taking the initiative to at least view the contestants’ policies once before and after primary elections. This process takes about an hour to complete and could only benefit a voter with more knowledge.

Voting is a privilege that can benefit every citizen in the U.S as long as there is an element of sincerity that surrounds the process. The next time someone in your break-room says “I’m not voting for Obama because he will be sworn in on the Koran,” please do us all a favor and rhetorically slap him or her with the proverbial “think and educate yourself before you vote!”

David Lewis '10
Wilkes University
Communitcations Studies/English

Don’t Let Gender Define this Campaign

With the upcoming Pennsylvania primary just a few weeks away, and considering the importance our state can have on which Democratic presidential candidate gets the nomination, I wanted to remind local residents of the importance of voting for a candidate based on their plan of action, rather than their race or gender.

I’m going through an invaluable experience this semester by studying each candidate and how they plan to make our country better, and I’m also learning how campaigns “spin” a message to their candidate’s advantage. And you know, for the first time I feel educated about the political process. But, it really upsets me when I have taken the time out to study each candidate’s plan of action to find that there are people here in Wilkes-Barre, and across the country for that matter, who vote in the primary based on gender or race alone. Or, they vote on looks as the sole reason for acceptance. Now, I don’t mind if someone is voting for John McCain, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, but let’s have some sense when we go to the voting booth!

In this upcoming primary in particular, I’ve heard countless women, including my mother, say they’ll vote for Hillary because “we need a woman as President because a man couldn’t get the job done.” Vote for Hillary, but do it because you find her universal health care plan irresistible, or because you have a child going to college in the near future and you like her ideas to make his or her education more affordable. To strip each candidate to simply their race or gender is being simple and narrow-minded.

I’m not being naive on this issue. I know there will always be people who will vote for a candidate because they like their inspirational speeches or they like their significant other, who previously served in office. But, in a critical primary that can potentially shape the next couple of generations, how about we look at the content of the speeches, rather than listen to the supporters strategically clap between every other sentence?

Jamie Gwynn '09
Wilkes University
Communication Studies

Sex, is this all that matters?

We constantly hear that 2008 is the year of presidential firsts. Well, what about concentrating on the content of someone’s character instead of their demographics? Let us be clear, Senator Clinton understood that the road ahead would not only break new ground, but also reopen the debate as to whether a woman could be elected President. Why does it matter that she chooses to take the road less traveled? Is it necessary that Americans continue to elect the same wealthy, Caucasian, middle-aged males? I think not.

Clinton, often referred to as “Hillary” by her competitors and the press, is seen simply as a woman. Her sex is discussed more than her political agenda. For example, in New Hampshire she was accused of crying. Who saw her cry? Where is the proof? I saw photos of a person showing emotion, but I did not see anyone crying. What I have seen is a woman prove that she is more than capable of playing with the big boys. Yet the American people cannot get past her sex. In fact, Senator Clinton has encountered several gender-based attacks and the use of the "B" word. While in Las Vegas for the Democratic debate she acknowledged that what she is aiming for is "toward the highest, hardest glass ceiling." My question is why, in today’s age, is that ceiling so high? And why is she the only one aiming towards an improbable goal?

As a twenty-year-old Latina voting this year, I personally do not look at the candidate’s demographics, but his or her knowledge on what our country needs. Having stated my personal opinion, I realize this is not the consensus amongst a majority of Americans. Instead, the media and many constituents have chosen to teach our youth that sex does matter. By making such a big deal about a woman candidate, people are demonstrating that sex is an issue and cannot be overlooked in a debate, an election, or simply put, a job. After all, that is what the presidency is. It’s a job, a very important job, but a job none the less. The male candidates have been asked about their views on politics, issues concerning America, and their personal beliefs. Senator Clinton has been asked similar questions, but also questions regarding her fashion and romantic life. For example on the Tyra Banks Show, Senator Clinton was asked about her headbands, a hair accessory she wore while Bill Clinton ran for President. She was also asked about her first date, but I do not recall Senator Obama talking about his first date or why he seems to wear blue ties so often. The only “firsts” discussed with Obama were his first job and first priorities if elected President of the United States.

It is shameful that when looking at our presidential candidates a majority of Americans merely see gender. Whatever happened to choosing the best person for the job and not the best sex for the position? I hope that in some ways people realize that if we truly are to claim advancement in the struggle of the sexes, America as a whole will need to treat all the Presidential candidates equally and not simply give “Hillary” a shot but give Senator Clinton an opportunity.

Valerie Martinez '09
Wilkes University
Communication Studies