Please IUSA, get something done

While we as an editorial staff have decided to grudgingly pledge our support to the Hoosier Party this year, it doesn't mean we have agreed with the way it, or either party, has presented itself to the campus. Upon listening to both groups discuss their issues, opinions and ideas Friday afternoon, we decided Hoosier was the "lesser of the two evils." However, the two tickets' inability to discuss and explore meaningful issues is a discouraging microcosm of the IU Student Association's ineffectual history, where trivial issues are displayed across the sky, while problems students are actually worried about get ignored. While it's each party's fault for being lackluster, the real problem is that IUSA has a historically and fundamentally flawed image because of rhetoric and past poor performances. \nMany students don't know the names of candidates on either ticket running for election, several don't even know what IUSA stands for and the paltry number of students who actually vote show that the majority of campus simply just does not care. How can any political platform be taken seriously if the entire notion of IUSA is considered weak at best, and pointless at its worst?\nIn order for IUSA to be taken seriously, it should actually \nattempt to act seriously in regards to the campaign issues it attempts to promote, rather than groveling for votes and extra resume lines. \nBeer gardens at the Union, full-time service of dollar cabs, legalized music and media services and the installation of "bus tickers" ensuring that riders know exactly when a bus is arriving all sound like fantastic ideas. But we feel that all of these promises sound too good to be true. And historically, they have been. \nIUSA administrations just haven't had the authority or driven creativity to initiate the push for effectual programs, as the aforementioned campaign promises have all failed miserably. \nDon't get us wrong: IUSA does have influence, and a powerful budget to back it up, but it has been misguided in its application of these powers. \nWhen will these administrations grow up and focus their attention on real problems? Measuring up in the Big Ten, sexual harassment and rape, student cohesiveness, the rising cost of tuition, financial departmental deficits and admission standards are serious problems on campus. None of the above issues have been adequately addressed or explored by IUSA tickets, but must be if either party is to have legitimate change. The University is at a crossroads in several areas, and the party that wins has a chance to make positive headway in these changes for the students of IU-Bloomington.\nPlease, IUSA winners, take a chance and address these issues. We simply ask that campaigns are serious, express their voice across campus and get something done. We ask the winner of this year's election be regularly available to students, think of serious and achievable goals to accomplish and most importantly, for the sake of IUSA, makes sure everyone knows that your organization exists, can prosper and is working for us.