2008 Woodie Awards
Don't waste time casting your ballot
Student leaders might fail to deliver campaign promises for next year
Darren Price
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Viewpoints
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It's not that I don't care about who is elected, I just feel that if SG is going to do little more than supply gossip for the school newspaper, then I don't really find it necessary to give SG the five minutes of my time it takes to vote for new executives.
Look back at this year. What has SG done for the student body? That's a hard question to answer.
Well, how about when the Senate attempted to impeach SG president Nick Payne? No, that doesn't do a whole lot for the students. How about forcing him to resign after a run-in with the law in Five Points a few months later? There is not a whole lot of benefit to the students in that, either.
So what have our elected senators and executives done for us?
The only thing I can think of is that they have given us something to talk about.
I don't claim to be an expert on Student Government, but I read the newspaper and seldom do I find an article on a new motion that will do something for students, and when I do, it's often forgotten when I hear some new story concerning SG's maligned former president or a few attention-hungry senators. All the drama leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Honestly, you'd think that an organization that claims to be such an integral part of student life would find better things to do than point fingers at one another.
So why should I vote in this week's elections when I am fairly certain that I will just be electing a new class of drama kings and queens?
I have heard little to convince me otherwise. Some candidates promise things like "more enthusiasm" or a "better-informed student body" amongst a plethora of other ambiguous goals. Goals like these remind me more of my middle school than they do of an actual, functioning governing body.
On the other hand, ambiguous promises are easier to keep than real, defined ones.
Maybe I am just jaded by all of this year's scandals. I happen to know a few candidates and they are all very friendly and dedicated people, but I thought the same of many of the candidates last year, and well, everyone saw the mess that they became.
I really do hope that whoever is eventually elected will do something beneficial to the students.
After reading what seemed like tabloid stories about our elected leaders this year, however, I'm not holding my breath.
Hopefully last year was just an aberration, but until I know for sure that Student Government is going to make an effort for me, I'm not going to make an effort in electing them.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
carolina88
posted 2/19/08 @ 5:41 AM EST
Way to go with not voting! I guess living in America has taught you that voter apathy leads to major changes in policy and a dynamic, democratic exchange of ideas. (Continued…)
Yeah
posted 2/19/08 @ 9:07 AM EST
So you know that grade forgiveness policy that just started this year? That was student government. They DO help us.
I Agree
posted 2/19/08 @ 10:17 AM EST
Grade forgiveness was recommended by SG. Technically the Provost changed the policy, and it's not helping the other students who studied hard and got the good grade initially. (Continued…)
paul
posted 2/19/08 @ 12:11 PM EST
I would hope that this attitude would fall by the way side. As the politcian has lost the goal of what they are trying to become, should be a public servent not the all power person attitude that has become the norm for most if not all of our politicians. (Continued…)
Kyle Patrick
posted 2/19/08 @ 12:59 PM EST
Congratulations. You earn the right to never complain again if something goes awry in SG.
If you want to not vote, fine. That's your bad decision. But from here on out you have absolutely no ground whatsoever to stand up and say how bad a candidate is or how you think they are doing a bad job. (Continued…)
franklin johnson
posted 2/19/08 @ 3:53 PM EST
these cats are just looking for something to put on their resumes anyways. these are pretty much meaningless positions that they fill, and only serve to stroke their egos. (Continued…)
Gamecock
posted 2/19/08 @ 10:27 PM EST
"It's not that I don't care about who is elected, I just feel that if SG is going to do little more than supply gossip for the school newspaper, then I don't really find it necessary to give SG the five minutes of my time it takes to vote for new executives. (Continued…)
Whitney Bragg
posted 2/19/08 @ 11:50 PM EST
Regardless of whether or not you think its worth your time to vote, I'd like to point out the fact that you work for the newspaper that reports all that gossip and drama you whine about. (Continued…)
Former Alumni '07
posted 2/20/08 @ 8:36 AM EST
I can understand not wanting to vote in SG elections after the rumors and scandals that planged the SGA this past year. But at the same time It does give you a chance for your voice to be heard. (Continued…)
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