Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Column: Too much at stake for students not to care about election
By Neily Todd
Vanderbilt Hustler, Vanderbilt
September 14, 2008

Oct. 7, 2008 is a very important date at Vanderbilt University — it marks exactly one and half weeks until fall break. Oh, and also, it’s the day the two presidential candidates will converge in Nashville for a town hall debate at Belmont University. For a few, glorious hours, all eyes will be on Nashville. It will be the biggest political event in the city’s history and may bring the most nationwide attention the city has ever had. Denver and Minneapolis are yesterday’s news. Nashville will soon have her chance for 15 minutes of fame.

If, perhaps, you have been sunbathing in the Arctic for the past year, you may be unaware that we are currently watching a history-making election. For the first time, an African-American holds a major party’s nomination. Women are breaking glass ceilings from Alaska to New York. If elected, Sen. McCain would be the oldest president in history. Whoever wins, it will be a first.

However, there is a difference between knowing and caring. You may know the election is going on, yet still find yourself wondering why you should care. How does it affect you? How does your one vote affect them? Maybe it doesn’t at all. And then, maybe this election and your vote will make all the difference.

As college students, it is often easy to forget how today’s issues affect us. The unemployment rate is six percent. We don’t want it to be eight percent by the time we face the job market. The housing market is facing its worst slump in decades. Recently graduated college students will find it hard to get the loan they need to buy a first home. America is fighting two wars — one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. Many of your classmates will be the next ones, or perhaps already are, taking on this fight. Just shy of $490 billion was spent in 2007 on public education. A sound education policy today ensures that in 15 years your first-grader will attend a top-notch public school. These are the problems of today, and the policies of the next administration will shape the nation we live in as adults.

Pick up a newspaper when you walk through campus. Flip on the news while you eat breakfast. Learn where the candidates stand on the issues. Watch the debate on Oct. 7. Tickets are impossible, reserved mostly for national media, but there will be viewing parties all around the city. I feel safe betting there will be more than one on this campus. Nashville is your city, and as the whole country watches, the candidates are here to convince you. Take an interest in the issues they debate. Educate yourself and form an opinion.

Vote. Don’t just like one candidate better than the other. Cast your vote. It’s a privilege. The 2000 election has shown us that you never know when every single vote will count. Don’t underestimate how important it is that the voice of our generation be heard. It’s easy, too.

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