Students cast doubt over their provisional ballots

All Kristina Jones wanted to do on Election Day was vote.

She fulfilled the requirements to register, but after filling out a provisional ballot, the sophomore art education major isn’t sure if her vote counted.

Jones has doubts about the provisional ballot she filled out. Provisional ballots are used to record a vote when there is question regarding a voter’s eligibility.

According to the Philadelphia Voter Registration Administration, as of Nov. 14, only “some” of the city’s provisional ballots were counted.

Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, provisional ballots are provided to voters under certain circumstances when an individual claims to be registered but does not appear on the district register, an individual cannot provide an approved form of identification when voting for the first time or an election official rules an individual ineligible to vote.

Any voter who fills out a provisional ballot “must be directed to an accessible area within the polling place where he or she may complete the provisional ballot in private.”

“Everyone else got to go into the little thing where no one else could see,” said Jones, who needed to complete a provisional ballot at the AME Union Church, located at 1614 W. Jefferson St. “They didn’t really help me. They just kind of sat me down and said ‘here.’”

“It took a lot for people to actually get me to vote,” she said. “It felt like such a hassle.”

Once the polls closed, provisional ballot envelopes from each polling place were delivered to the County Board of Elections, which determined whether voters were eligible to vote at the time the provisional ballots were completed.

According to state procedures, the ballots for those voters who were eligible “should be opened and counted.”

A 2006 survey conducted by Project Vote, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps to “engage low-income and minority voters in the civic process,” showed of the 53,698 provisional ballots completed in Pennsylvania, only 48.6 percent were counted.

Junior finance major Jordan Groff was also required to fill out a provisional ballot because his name could not be found in the district register at the Brown Community Center, located at 1701 N. Eighth St., despite the fact Groff already received his voter registration card.

“I was originally registered to vote at my house in Lancaster,” said Groff, who registered to vote when he turned 18.

He renewed his driver’s license to reflect his off-campus address.

“They automatically updated my registration to [Pennsylvania]. I guess that was the problem,” Groff said.

“It wasn’t private, but I didn’t mind,” Groff said about the space where he completed his provisional ballot. “I was just filling it out on the table with the people working there.”

In compliance with HAVA, voters are required to place their provisional ballots in secrecy envelopes provided by the judge of elections at their polling places. The secrecy envelopes are then placed inside a provisional ballot envelope. On each envelope is a form that must be filled out completely and accurately in blue or black ink.

Jones filled out four voter registration applications in both Pennsylvania and her home state of New York, but she never received a voter registration card.

She registered for the first time in Pennsylvania more than a year ago but “got nothing back,” she said.

After applying for a second time, she said her application was returned through the mail with the word “rejected” stamped on it in red ink.

She then cast an absentee ballot in New York.

As it grew closer to Nov. 4, Jones said she feared an absentee ballot might not be counted. She registered once again in Pennsylvania, just in time for her application to be processed before Election Day.

Jones was told she would be on the polling place’s list of supplemental voters, but once she arrived, her name was not found.

Though she filled out a provisional ballot, she has some doubts about whether it was counted.

Groff said he “didn’t know to” check the status of his ballot because he did not receive a provisional ballot receipt, a slip provided to the voters with their provisional ballot numbers, along with information necessary to determine the status of their ballots.

Jones did not check the status of her ballot, either.

She said she “figured that they only got counted if the vote was close.”

Phil Figueiredo, a junior history major, didn’t expect his provisional ballot to be casted on Election Day.

“My provisional ballot was a complete joke,” said Figueiredo, who had to fill out a provisional ballot at his polling place because his name couldn’t be found on the poll book.

Like Jones, Figueiredo filled out a registration application on the last day Pennsylvania residents could register to vote.

“I was pretty disappointed in the fact that I had to cast a provisional ballot. In a way, I feel like I didn’t even vote,” Figueiredo said. “Election Day was a total downer for me.”

Chelsea Calhoun can be reached at chelsea.calhoun@temple.edu.

Excitement erupts on N. Broad after election

After 22 months of presidential campaigning came to a close last Tuesday, supporters of President-elect Barack Obama are celebrating the nation’s turning point in electing its first African-American president and preparing for what they hope to be positive changes in the next four years.

“I’m very, very happy,” said junior Elizabeth Hanson, political science major and president of Temple College Democrats. “It’s definitely a victory that we were looking for. I’m incredibly proud of all the work the Temple College Democrats have done on campus this semester.

“I think it’s remarkable. It was incredibly moving to see. People were waving flags and singing the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ on election night. There was a sense of unity. We’re working together to create something positive.”

Hanson said Temple College Democrats is celebrating and making plans for Obama’s inauguration. The organization will then shift its concentration to local and state politics.

“We’ll keep working to make sure the promises made to students and all Americans are kept by local and national politicians,” Hanson said.

“I’m not pleased with the results of the election,” said Michael Nerozzi, a senior political science major and vice president of Temple College Republicans. “It’s not my personal choice, but I felt in 2000 and 2004 when Bush won, there were bitter people saying ‘He’s not my president.’ No matter the party or person, I still salute him as commander in chief and respect him as my president. It’s the preference of the American people.”

Nerozzi said the College Republicans will be taking it easy for a while. Members are currently planning a trip to the Conservative Political Action Convention where prominent Republican figures will speak.

Speakers this year include Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

“The morale of the Temple College Republicans is not at its highest, but generally everyone is supportive,” Nerozzi said.

“It’s quite exciting having the first African-American president,” political science professor Gregg Lindskog said.

“It affirms America’s core principle of political equality,” he said. “Obama was able to excite people on the left and independents and increase voter turnout. It was quite unexpected.”

“Personally it’s very encouraging,” said Kareem Johnson, assistant professor of psychology. “I’m very proud of our country and Obama.”

Lindskog said he thinks Obama will work with President George W. Bush during the transition period or step back and build his cabinet and announce his policy initiatives.

“After a period of bipartisanship during Obama’s presidency, we’ll probably see a period of Republicans being increasingly aggressive against Obama and the Democratic Congress,” Lindskog said. “He’ll have difficulty passing things like universal health care.”

Nerozzi said he expects Obama to be tested in the first months of his presidency.

Johnson said he thinks the election of the first African-American president will have some effect on society, but it’s not going to be overwhelming.

“It’s progress, and a barrier has been broken,” Johnson said. “It’s the biggest symbol that America is a place of opportunity. It is not the end of racial troubles, and it doesn’t necessarily change the psychology of race relations.”

Johnson said the success of one person or one individual is not necessarily an indication the entire situation has improved.

An individual case doesn’t change the stereotypes and situation of a group, he said.

“A bit of optimism, even if a bit unrealistic, is actually more psychologically healthy,” Johnson said. “It gives us hope that we have come to a turning point and that some of the old problems that still persist may be able to fade away after a lot more hard work.”

“A lot of students and people who worked for the campaigns put a part of themselves into it,” Johnson said. “Now that it’s over, there’s a void.”

“The fear is those who were active will dissipate and go back to their normal lives,” Lindskog said. “Certainly, Obama wants to connect them to national service in some way. They can’t sit back and assume that he’ll be able to change everything.”

Johnson said the result will differ with each person. Those who have always been active will probably stay energized, but those who got involved due to social reinforcements will most likely revert back to their usual activities, he said.

“We saw a lot of partisanship in this election,” Nerozzi said. “I hope the Temple community takes a look at what our university’s message is.”

“Temple is a diverse community with people of different views,” Nerozzi said. “We can’t forget that conservatism is a part of that. I understand students are excited, but please respect other people’s views.”

“I hope students stay engaged now that the election is over,” Hanson said. “As Barack Obama said, ‘Our work has just begun.’”

Kathryn A. López can be reached at kathryn.lopez@temple.edu.

Cement Roots: Should celebrities back a candidate?

On Nov. 4, while most of her fellow celebrities were out urging their fellow Americans to vote (“yes” for Obama, “no” for Proposition 8), pop-country starlet Carrie Underwood was singing a different tune.
“I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate,” she said in an interview with TV Guide.

“It’s saying that the American public isn’t smart enough to make their own decisions. I would never want anybody to vote for anything or anybody just because I told them to. Music is where you go to get away from all the B.S. Whether it’s from politics or just the world around you, music should be an escape.”

It’s funny that someone like Underwood would preach such a message. After all, she wouldn’t have two hit albums and a couple of football players under her belt if it weren’t for good old-fashioned American democracy – in the form of American Idol, that is.

She certainly wasn’t sneering at her fellow Idol contestants as they mouthed “Vote!” and flashed peace signs at the camera, with Ryan Seacrest babbling about texts and 1-800 numbers and Coca-Cola all the while. She was doing the exact same thing.

Of course, maybe it’s a good thing Underwood kept quiet about who she voted for last week. I’m not one to jump to conclusions, but all evidence points to conservatism. The Muskogee, Okla., hometown. The song “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” The Baptist faith. The USO Christmas Tour in Iraq. Tony Romo. Even this shrugging and calling politics “B.S.” seems to convey a certain Carrie-the-country-singer, I-don’t-read-newspapers, I-want-a-President-I-can-drink-a-beer-with mentality. Sen. John McCain voter, for sure.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But the election was close enough, and I personally wouldn’t have liked to see any more of the youth vote go the McCain route – especially not because America’s sexiest female country singer told them to.

You see, that’s the thing. Love ’em or hate ’em, celebrities do have the power to influence. The image of Brad Pitt holding a notebook with a hand-drawn portrait of President-elect Barack Obama on the cover was a powerful one. Bruce Springsteen playing a free concert for Obama on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway certainly won the Democratic Party a few more Philadelphian votes. And Heidi Montag, though she may be little more than an annoyance on the MTV “reality” show The Hills, probably convinced a few fans to go Republican by waving her American flag for McCain.

This kind of influence isn’t just limited to politics, it’s everywhere. It’s the reason why nearly every major company has a celebrity spokesperson. Carrie Underwood? She’s appeared in commercials and print ad campaigns promoting Skechers sneakers, vitaminwater, Nintendo DS Lite, Hershey’s chocolate and Target.

So, is she saying the American public isn’t smart enough to decide where they want to shop, what they want to eat and how they want to entertain themselves? Going by her logic, yes. Then again, by her logic, the songs “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Imagine” and “What’s Going On” should never have been recorded because music is supposed to be an “escape” from the “B.S.” of politics and social strife. Somebody, quick, tell Bob Dylan.

Don’t get me wrong. Underwood seems like a sweet enough girl, and her music is actually pretty decent, though it isn’t necessarily my cup of tea. I just think her remarks last Tuesday were hypocritical and dangerous. Hypocritical because she’s more than willing to say “Buy your Carrie Underwood CDs at Target!” but won’t use that same, powerful Carrie Underwood name to encourage people to exercise their right to vote.

It’s dangerous because our country needs celebrities to start being more responsible. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing if people, especially young people, become more interested in politics after seeing P. Diddy in a “Vote Or Die” T-shirt or watching Sarah Silverman talk about “The Great Schlep” on YouTube.

Most aren’t going to base political opinions solely on what their celebrity idols think, but if it gets a few more people out to the polls or at least thinking about the issues, it’s A-OK in my book.

Besides, I’d rather hear Lindsay Lohan talk politics than see her flash her crotch any day.

Anna Hyclak can be reached at anna.hyclak@temple.edu.

Temple students lead the young voting crowd

Election Day finally came. The moment many Democrats, Republicans and everyone in between were waiting for. The day Americans could vote for putting their “country first” or “change.”

On Tuesday, the infamous question, which was asked during the months leading up to the election, “Are you registered to vote on campus?” switched to “Did you vote yet?”

Everyone from students and professors to security guards and dining hall employees asked it. The pressure to vote was felt by many, but it was also an annoyance, as some students couldn’t walk 10 yards without being asked.

“On my way back from class in Anderson [Hall], at least 20 kids asked me if I had voted yet,” said Ryan Houlihan, a freshman computer science major who voted earlier in the afternoon.

Campaign volunteers lined the many walkways and crosswalks on campus throughout the day. They informed students who were going to their polling places about the presidential candidates one last time.

Temple Student Government provided shuttle services to several voting locations surrounding Main Campus. Residents of James S. White residence hall were able to move swiftly in and out of their polling center at Tanner Duckrey School, located at 1501 W. Diamond Street.

Not all students were able to cast their votes as quickly.

Some students whose polling center was at the corner of 12th Street and Susquehanna Avenue waited in line for hours.

One unidentified student was in line for more than two hours before being able to vote. Other students also said they waited in lines for long periods of time, as lines at some polling places wrapped around the block.

After casting their votes, student voters went to the Student Center, where Ben & Jerry’s gave away free scoops of ice cream. Starbucks also offered free cups of tall brewed coffee for those who voted.

TSG hosted an Election Day viewing party in the Student Center in the evening.

Matthew D. Wargo can be reached at mdwargo@temple.edu .

Temple, Philly celebrate after Obama elected

Sen. Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election over Sen. John McCain, and Philadelphians quickly took to the streets. The celebration lasted well after the president-elect’s Chicago speech into the early morning hours of Nov. 5.

LeAnne Matlach has the report from Main Campus:

Chris Stover has the report from Center City:

Videos from Center City by Chris Stover:

Obama supporters in Center City block traffic on South Broad Street, not allowing cars to drive by.

The crowd chants Obama’s name in the middle of Broad Street.

Philadelphia Police can’t even fight through the crowd following Obama’s nomination.

Photos from Center City by Chris Stover:

Democrats: a time for change

ELIZABETH HANSON
President, Temple College Democrats

It was just over 20 months ago that Sen. Barack Obama announced his once considered long-shot candidacy for the White House. And yet, it is difficult to wrap my head around the fact that this day is finally here. Today, across the country, in small towns and large cities alike, Americans will cast their votes for who will lead our great nation in increasingly uncertain times.

Many of us Temple students were in elementary school or junior high when President George W. Bush first took office. In the past eight years, we have watched our government ignore the crises occurring in our environment, our schools and our healthcare system, choosing instead to send our friends and family members overseas to fight a war many of us don’t believe in, and saddle our generation with unprecedented debt. Most recently, we have seen our economy falter, the availability of student loans decrease and our job prospects disappear. I know that I, along with many other members of America’s youth, have spent most of my formative years feeling ignored and unrepresented by the current administration.

But today, on the ballot, we will finally be presented with a choice. We have the option to select Sen. John McCain, who has self-admittedly voted with this failed administration 90 percent of the time, or to select Obama, a man who is the embodiment of the American Dream, and knows that this country deserves better than the past eight years. So today is our day, as America’s youth, to stand up and vote for Obama, because it is our futures that are at stake.

An Obama-Biden administration will mean amazing things for students. Whether it’s an affordable college education, job creation, healthcare coverage or renewable energy, we know that with Obama, we will have the White House fighting on our side.

Obama knows that it is essential for America to invest in its students in order to secure the future of our nation. He will create the America Opportunity Tax Credit, which will provide students with $4,000 to finance their college educations, in return for completing 100 hours of public service a year. That’s $4,000 for you to ensure that you will be able to cross that stage after all your hard work, and 100 hours of service to further a cause you believe in.

And once your cross that stage? Obama will still be looking out for you. He will ensure you remain covered on your parents’ healthcare plan until you’re 25. This policy will lower the healthcare costs for new graduates entering the workforce. Not to mention that it will be a workforce supported by Obama, who will invest $5 million in green collar jobs. These jobs, part of Obama’s New Energy for America Plan, will put us on the track to energy independence and create and implement the technology to end our climate crisis to help save our planet.

Throughout this campaign, Obama has repeatedly said that the youth of America inspire him. We give him the most hope for the future of this nation. He has put a great deal of faith in us, and now it is time for us to put our faith in him. The naysayers and the pundits often repeat that students are “apathetic” and that we cannot be counted on to vote. I say they are wrong. But it is up to each and every one of you to prove it. In the words of our very own candidate, “We are the one’s we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” So go. Vote for Obama. And be the change.

Elizabeth Hanson is the president of Temple College Democrats.

Power Exercise

It’s been a long two years, and tonight, the wait could be over.

In order to get to the end, you and the rest of America need to vote today.

You’ve registered, and maybe you’ve gotten involved with the campaign of your choice, and that work should pay off when you enter that voting booth.

For those of you who are still undecided, call the local Obama office and the local McCain office and get informed. If you are decided, do not harass or bother voters of a different political affiliation when you go to vote. It is just as much their right as yours to make a personal decision on whom to cast a ballot for.

There is always a push for the youth to get out and vote, and often on Election Day, the expectations for young people aren’t met. Prove people wrong. Make sure they can’t say young people didn’t close the deal.

As cheesy as it sounds, you are the future. This generation is poised to one day make the important decisions and deal with the consequences. Have an active role in how the future is formed. Voting is a great way to get involved.

Get to your polling place early, wait in line for as long as you have to and skip class if you must, but no matter what, do not leave the polling location until you have cast your vote. If you are in line when the polls close, do not leave. Being in line guarantees you time in the polling booth.

Do yourself a favor and look beyond the national elections and take the time to cast your ballot for local and state offices. Local and state political figures have an impact on what happens in Philadelphia and at Temple, and it is important to take the time and vote for them.

Hopefully, you’ve done your research and are well versed on all of the issues important to you. If you need a little last-minute information, reference Elizabeth Hanson and Brian McGovern’s Op-Eds on the candidates on Page 5.

This election season has been a wild ride, and it’ll only get crazier if at some point today you do not go and vote.

This is your legal right, an entitlement past Americans fought and died for.

Get out and vote.

Republicans: right way forward

BRIAN MCGOVERN
President, Temple College Republicans

Many Americans seem to have the idea that this election is the most important one to occur in a lifetime. They happen to be right. The choice we make today will be felt for years. As a college student, you are clearly a forward-thinking individual. Someone who, instead of graduating high school and attempting to make a living now, has taken four or more years to better yourself through education and open up a wide range of opportunities for the future. This forward-thinking mentality should be applied to the crucial decision you make today as well.

Sen. John McCain has shown through his lifetime of sacrifice and service to this country that he is the common sense conservative leader we need now. A McCain presidency is the only way America can pursue reform that will lift the burden of excessive spending, finally get America to a state of clean energy independence and most importantly, especially from the perspective of a soon-to-graduate college student, restructure this economy in a way that is pro-growth, pro-innovation and allows for job creation.

Through McCain’s Lexington Project, America will see a dawning of innovation in the energy market with investment being made into new technology and new jobs for a cleaner America. For this to be possible, we will have to drill here and now to unlock our own resources and stop the transfer of wealth to other nations. From this will come the investment needed to transition to cleaner forms of transportation and power generation. There is no sense in forcing underdeveloped technologies on the marketplace, as another candidate wishes to do, when further development will create jobs, increase efficiency and decrease costs. These changes will also improve the environment, knocking emissions of pollutants down to pre-1990 levels.

McCain will do this, and more, without raising taxes on any American. Instead of playing Robin Hood with American’s income, McCain will restructure the federal budget by vetoing any bill that includes pork-barrel spending. McCain has also proposed a spending freeze across the board, except in the case of unforeseen crisis or important programs. This will allow government programs to be evaluated to decide what needs to be cut and what needs more funding. Controlling spending will allow McCain to cut taxes on business and capital gains and restore confidence to our financial markets. These measures will allow our economy to grow, create jobs instead of killing them with new taxes, mandates and regulations and ensure that prices remain low, which is the greatest “tax cut” of all for Americans.
Americans understand that throwing money at our problems cannot solve them for the long term.

Taxing success into submission hurts everyone. An unfunded government handout helps no one. And pretty rhetoric with catchy slogans will not pave the way for prosperity. That is why we need McCain. Make no mistake, change is coming this January. However, the choice comes down to a forward-thinking approach, or a shortsighted disaster waiting to happen. We cannot gamble with America’s future. Like no other candidate, McCain will fight for this country with the foresight necessary to not only preserve, but also enhance the greatness of what it means to be an American for generations to come.

Brian McGovern is the president of Temple College Republicans.

Jay Z hosts Obama rally

His name isn’t on the ballot today, but then again, he doesn’t need any votes.

Jay-Z, also known as the president of hip-hop, was in North Philadelphia yesterday campaigning for presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama during the “Promote the Vote Block Party.”

Though the hip-hop mogul didn’t perform, he attracted thousands of Obama supporters on the 2200 block of North Broad Street between Dauphin Street and Susquehanna Avenue. Jay-Z, along with R&B artist Mary J. Blige and record producer P. Diddy, encouraged those in attendance to be informed about their rights as voters and make their votes count on Election Day.

“We have a responsibility to ourselves, our children, our country and our new leader, but we have to go out and vote to make the difference,” Mary J. Blige said. “Things will not get better if we don’t do something different. We have been doing the same exact thing forever but expecting a different result.”

Obama’s presidential candidacy excited supporters at the block party because of its historical significance.

“Some of us have been waiting for 400 years,” Mayor Michael Nutter said about Obama possibly being elected as the next president.

North Philadelphia resident Tiaisha Dandy is excited Obama has made it far in the race for the Oval Office.

“It’s the first time a black man has made it this far, so I’m excited,” said Dandy, who is a case manager for To Our Children’s Future With Health, Inc., a community-based nonprofit agency. “I think he’s going to help open a lot of doors, and even if he doesn’t make it, I don’t want people to feel like we won’t ever have a chance because he paved the way.”

Jay-Z reminded voters of the importance of the presidential election with a freestyle verse.

“Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama’s sprinting, so we all could fly.”

Marcus Durham attended the block party after being inspired by previous events held by the Obama campaign in Philadelphia.

Durham said celebrities endorsing Obama positively promotes the Democratic candidate’s candidacy.
“As long as when [celebrities] dealing with the political aspect [of] endorsing Barack conduct themselves accordingly, I don’t see a problem with it,” Durham said.

Temple alumna Preasha Brittingham supports Obama’s policy for healthcare reform.

“My mother is a little sickly,” she said. “And I was always taught to embrace your culture and heritage and support someone that you know who is going to make a change for this country.”

“At the end of the day we are so powerful. We are kings, we are queens, so this means we have the power to build or destroy, make things better or worse, it’s our choice. What will we choose?” Blige said.

“At this point I think you’re either going to vote or you’re not,” said Sarah Caspersen, a former Florida resident.

Caspersen supports Obama because of his appeal to young voters.

“McCain comes from a different time than I am, and so does Obama, but he’s closer to me,” Caspersen said. “I think McCain is further in the past than I am, and Obama thinks about education, healthcare, and I like his ideas better.”

Jay-Z encouraged attendees to vote for change.

“John McCain desperately needs Philadelphia,” Jay-Z said, “but you can tell him you cannot have Pennsylvania.”

Brittany Diggs can be reached at bdiggs@temple.edu.

Offbeat Academia: America’s new most wanted are non-voters

What if I didn’t vote today?

You might call me unpatriotic, maybe even treasonous. Maybe you’d tell me how I’m wasting an esteemed privilege that comes with adulthood. Some might even say I don’t deserve citizenship. Most of you would probably tell me I’m making the wrong decision.

The power to vote is often seen as a gift. The miraculous system of democracy is giving me the chance to choose my president – granted that the majority of the country is with me. Denying this gift has become almost criminal, especially now that we are at this pivotal point of potential “change” and newfound “hope.”

I fear the loss of friends if I don’t go through with this patriotic duty. It doesn’t make sense, though. You wouldn’t abandon your alcoholic friend just because he’s made a few bad choices. Why has the opportunity to vote become such a blessing and not to heed it become a sin?

“Sarah, this is your undeniable, constitutional right,” I can hear you telling me. “Democracy requires your participation in order to work properly.”

You might even try to give me incentive because you’re getting desperate: “You can’t complain if you don’t vote.”

Bull.

I do have the right to vote, but also the right not to. The choice not to vote is a choice nonetheless. You’ve given me two options, and I’m going for neither. Maybe I don’t like vanilla or chocolate ice cream, but prefer strawberry (and please don’t pin the race card on me, it’s just a metaphor). No comment is a comment.

Thus, democracy will not stop working if I don’t vote. Furthermore, I will still be able to complain after the election, no matter who wins; I didn’t like either of them anyway.

So now that I’ve answered your questions, let me bring up some of my own.

Is the country really divided into two categories? Are we really either conservative or liberal? These two parties only present two extremes, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. However, we’re encouraged (or obliged) to vote Republican or Democratic.

The United States doesn’t fit into a two-party system. We’re the melting pot, remember? We’ve got diversity (surely Temple can vouch for that). Our political system, however, represents us as only elephants and donkeys. I always thought I was more of a kangaroo or any marsupial, really.

Whatever happened to that Founding Fathers’ idea of demanding what you want in a leader? We should be completely rational in saying “no thank you” to Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain in exchange for a candidate who better suits our collective needs, rather than dividing the country into two opposing halves.

And do we really even need a president? Just kidding, I won’t go into that. I’ll just plant the seed.
Now don’t get huffy. I’m speaking completely hypothetically. As of the publication of this issue, I still haven’t made my decision yet. I’m just exploring alternatives.

I’m going to conclude this third and final installment of my Election Recovery Plan by saying that not voting is not a crime. Please don’t verbally attack those (especially your friends) who decide to voice their opinion passively. If you learned anything from our Democratic system, it should be to respect others’ opinions, as well as how they act on them. No one likes to be told what to do.

The last stage of recovery is acceptance. So after today, I want you to put this catastrophe behind you and begin to pave your own way to harmony and peace among your friends and fellow citizens, even if they vote for Nader.

Sarah Sanders can be reached at sarah.sanders@temple.edu.

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