Something to do November 4th

My first memorable experience with politics involved Winnie the Pooh and drugs.

Endorsed by the elder Bush and his wife Barbara (who I until recently believed was his grandmother), Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue featured the greats of Saturday morning cartoons such as Garfield, Muppet Babies, Alf and Bugs Bunny as they battled Smoke, the evil avatar of marijuana.

To young Chad, this was politics. The government existed to create cartoons and approve the toys that came in Happy Meals. In my kindergarten class’s mock election, Bush had secured my vote. I still point to this video as the reason I have abstained from the devil weed.

I hope you had a more sensible foray into the wonderful world of bureaucracy. Perhaps Sept. 11 brought foreign policy into your view. Maybe 2004 taught you about the Electoral College. Or it could have been that Ross Perot was your first crush.

Assuming you have expressed an interest in our government, for most of us this upcoming November is our first chance to make a mark on the presidency.

While Obama receives strong support on campus, head out 20 minutes in any direction and it seems things get a lot redder. Despite your political leaning here in Indiana, let me be the 36 thousandth person this week to urge you to vote.

I don’t want to persuade you that your vote will count literally, because honestly it’s likely it won’t.

Because of the electoral process, Indiana’s votes will go completely to the majority. If one more person votes Republican than Democratic, all eleven wonderful electoral votes go red. It’s extremely discouraging to a voter from the minority party to even attempt to vote.

Indiana has voted red the past 10 presidential elections, gathering all those juicy electoral votes as if the state unanimously agreed. This could change. Obama has led in some polls, which are determined by examining the livers of sacrificed sheep and birds.

There is a reason to vote, even if you’re a Republican living in San Francisco: principle. No wait, don’t turn the page, work with me here.

Politicians don’t expect much from us compared to other demographics, and issues we care about are not often addressed. You have to dig deep to find these candidates’ positions on net neutrality or student aid. Social Security is addressed not just due to its importance, but because it is especially relevant to the old people who consistently vote. If our generation steps up and makes a difference - by voting en masse – politicians will be forced to pay more attention and respect to us lowly college kids. In 2004, our older siblings hit historic numbers and we need to go even higher.

Those on campus have seen just a few benefits from political attention. The reason Dave Matthews Band played here in the spring was to get you to vote. So if nothing, vote so we get more musical acts and celebrities here.

Remember Nov. 4. We can all miss an episode of House in favor of activism.