Kirkwood's hollow victory

Congratulations, Kirkwood!\nYou persevered through election challenges and contests to lead the IU Student Association into a bright future…or not.\nIt seems as if the 2002 IUSA election accomplished only one thing (and I'm not talking about the selection of Kirkwood). It made politicians look dignified.\nWe're finally at the end of the road, but it is a road with more twists and turns than a ride at Six Flags. In between the suspect campaigning and the election contests, the IUSA candidates somehow managed to lose the respect of the few students who actually vote.\nThe IUSA election has made 2000's election fiasco in Florida and now in Monroe County look like mature disputes. It is for this reason that Kirkwood's victory is worth little.\nKirkwood began the campaign as the anti-establishment (as "anti-establishment" as a union of fraternities and business school students can be). When I first read about Kirkwood, it seemed like a pretty attractive ticket. Kirkwood was on a crusade to change the way IUSA operates and not to engage in "politics as usual." It was the insurgent ticket concentrated on making the organization more respondent to the needs of the people. \nThen the campaign began. A few voter intimidation accusations and mass e-mail lists later and Kirkwood has proven it is not "politics as usual." It is worse.\nMy advice to Kirkwood: Take an election ethics course.\nAs inexcusable as Kirkwood's antics are, it certainly isn't the only ticket that sullied the IUSA's reputation. Synergy was the second ticket running under the mantra of not being "IUSA as usual." Another fairly attractive ticket, Synergy was so interested in helping the students that it wasn't going to wait until the election to get involved. But this kept me leery. I got a strong feeling that Synergy was too concerned with politics and winning: that "we want to work for you…so we can win for us" feeling. \nBut some of Synergy's actions were downright laughable. In response to allegations of voter fraud for handing out condoms attached to campaign literature, Synergy claimed that a student who took a condom is not bound to vote for the ticket. (Does that depend on what my definition of "is" is?) My advice to Synergy: Don't take yourselves too seriously. (Deep breath) IUSA is a noble association, but it's not the White House!\nFinally, there is Steel. The proven, solid, choice! Steel seemed OK, if not a bit dry. It was altogether boring, but, seemingly, hard working. You got the feeling that Steel was telling you what you want to hear, but that's what politicians do. I was getting the feeling that Steel had realized the absurdity of this all, but, then, they challenged (unsuccessfully) Kirkwood's fine to the IUSA Supreme Court. I would offer Steel advice similar to that which I gave Synergy: We're talking about student council!\n After all of the sarcasm of the previous paragraphs, there is a reason I wrote this column other than to point out the absurdity of Kirkwood's hollow victory. By acting in such a childish manner, the 80 percent or so of students who didn't vote are reaffirmed in their choice to abstain. The student government leaders have an obligation to act responsibly and encourage participation among voters in the real elections that take place in May and November. \nThey have failed. \nI hope all students know that real world politics aren't this bad. Don't relinquish your opportunity to have a real effect in the world by failing to vote this May and November.\nYou must register to vote by April 8 for the May primary. The future of this country and this democracy lies on our shoulders.