I read with interest the letter to the editor from Andrew Tarnowski titled "Political Parties Cause Apathy" in the April 5 issue of The Spectrum, which explained why he does not vote in student elections. Tarnowski has come up with a myriad of reasons for not voting. Bash the two-party system, criticize student elections, complain about direct elections, round it out with a football analogy and end with a resounding thud by suggesting we hope for a miracle by a third party. Where are the solutions to the problems?
Political parties are not the problem. People who think the election process is "boring and repetitive" are the problem. What, specifically, is so boring about those things that confront us every day? Whether you are a student concerned about tuition, parking, student fees, quality of campus life, safety, or the rest of the omnium-gatherum of issues related to student life; or a non-student looking at the national political stage at such issues as taxes, education, environment, national security, home ownership, oil prices - among many other issues - there is one issue that must trump your disdain for the system as it is.
Do tell, which party is on a ballot for ceremonial reasons? And where? As far as these "ceremonial" parties not having a real shot, how can they when the very people they attempt to attract to the polls (you, for instance) likely won't show up to vote? Even the major parties have those problems every election cycle. You've resigned yourself to the belief that because the major parties are in power, the smaller parties have no chance. Maybe they should take your advice and hope for a miracle. They can wait for Godot at the same time.
Your pessimism and dissatisfaction, being the cornerstones of your argument, provide for a nice rant, but little else. Mr. Tarnowski, run for office, campaign for a candidate who reflects your values and beliefs, champion a cause close to your heart, but don't tell me it's entirely the system's fault. You didn't vote.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
