Corvette 'absurd idea'

The idea to purchase a $60,000 automobile in an attempt to sway the state legislature into appropriating more funds for IU, while creative and news worthy, does not pass the common sense test. \nIt is an absurd idea and a gross misuse of funds. The desire to get more students involved in the democratic process is commendable and I am glad to see IUSA following in the footsteps of politically active student groups that have been doing this for years without the benefit of such a large budget. But I think the idea behind buying the Corvette is fundamentally flawed on a number of levels. \nIt takes more than one election for a voter group to be considered an important constituency. Let's assume that this initiative is a success, and the goal of 17,000 new voters is reached. Will IUSA then have to buy a new car during the next election cycle to maintain such a repeat performance? Will politicians ever take us seriously if they know many of us voted in order to win a car? Furthermore, those votes will be spread throughout the state and nation, causing them to be diluted and forgotten by most politicians. As I have said before, I think voting is a good idea, but I think the current IUSA executives have put their desire for publicity above the need for a multi-campus, statewide voter drive. Voting is a civic duty that should be taken seriously. It is a shame that IUSA has decided to turn it into a carnival game. \nLast week, the current executives stated that the students belong in two camps, those who "think that it is great that someone is trying to motivate students to vote," and those who feel it is a "colossal waste of money." They went on to argue that those in the later group "fail to realize how dire the situation is." I would contend that a great majority of students on this campus, including myself, agree with both groups and understand how dire the situation is. You do not have to be an elected student leader to understand that less money from the state equals more money from tuition. \nI am going to go out on a limb and support both voting and lowering tuition. But I do pity the poor bastard who wins the Corvette, for while the rest of us are "reaping the entire benefit of the program," the winner will see the money saved in lowered tuition used to pay insurance and taxes. But if it must take a car, I would recommend a Crown Victoria. It offers a smooth ride, roomy interior and, most importantly, if students are seen driving this beautiful vehicle, they may be mistaken as a member of the AARP and we all know that politicians love the old folks. \nThroughout the summer, I was pleasantly surprised by the tenacity and work ethic showed by this administration. But I fear that this hapless raffle will come to define Kirkwood and will overshadow anything else they have done or will do.