The Wasted Vote Myth
— The biggest objection by allies to voting for a Third Party is the "wasted vote" argument -- the idea that if you vote for someone who will not win, then the vote does not count. Join any third party and merely suggest that another person consider voting for a third party candidate and you will hear ad nauseum, "I don't want to waste my vote." Before delving into the extent of the wasted vote myth, some other myths must be addressed first.
Economic Stimulus Package: Politics over Economics
— Wherever you turn, there are two topics of news: War on Terrorism and Economic Stimulus Package. President Bush is turning up the rhetoric on passing his version of the economic stimulus package in front of Congress. It quickly passed the Republican Controlled House, but seems to have stalled in the Senate. As pressure mounts to pass an economic stimulus bill, people should start to wonder why.
Free Trade and Free Markets
— On 7 December 2001, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a recommendation that will do nothing but harm consumers and allow inefficient industries to continue operating. What is this recommendation, you ask? The USITC recommended that Pres. Bush impose 4 years of restrictive tarrifs of up to 40% on foreign steel products. The commission also proposed quotas on some steel products. This promises to drive up the cost of steel goods even further. For years, domestic steel companies have whined that the US has become a dumping ground for foreign steel products. What they really mean, of course, is that they are totally unable to compete with foreign steel products that are easily a match in quality for their own.
Osama Was a Rolling Stone
— Osama bin Laden's plans for a rejuvenation of Islam against the viewed 'corporate' and 'spiritual' abuses of the West sprung into full gear after Sept.11. The destruction of the World Trade Towers crushed any hope that the United States and the West can continue to live in our white castle and not lower the bridge over the economic moat of the rest of the world, the cheap labor we earn our living from. Osama may have madness of an activist run amok, but he is clear on one point: When you begin a Holy war or "jihad," you can't turn back.
The Justice League
— Let’s try to re-establish some semblance of a moral high ground here before we go send Colin Powell, George W., and Donald Rumsfeld charging out across the globe to thwart evil wherever they find it. To any objective observer, we must look like some cracked version of DC Comics’ old Justice League of America, a schizoid band of half-heroes, half-villains using the rhetoric of freedom and justice while brandishing the same weapons and using the same techniques that the bad guys use.
Brother, Can You Spare a 'Dream Team'?
— There is a wise phrase that says, "If it ain't broke. Don't fix it." Why then is U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft trampling on civil liberties? The answer is simple: it's convenient; it's helpful; and it makes everybody's job a lot easier, save the average citizen, who couldn't dream of getting an O.J. "Dream Team" defense like the American Taliban, John Walker, will likely receive.
Case for Peace 2 — You know, I’m sick and tired of hearing advocates of peace being characterized as traitors or being portrayed as love freaks who are somehow cut off from reality. The belief in nonviolence is simple, straightforward, and rational belief. It is not another bit of irrational fluff from godless academics and socialists, as pundits from around the country would have you believe.
Smart Bombs not so Smart — Yesterday we learned about ANOTHER friendly-fire accident, this time producing the worst US casualty toll of the war so far. Three Americans were killed and at least 19 have been injured in Afghanistan, after a B-52 dropped a 2,000 pound bomb over Kandahar, the last piece of land the Taliban have control over. These so called smart bombs have been doing a lot of damage, unfortunately much of it at our expense.
The Myth of the “Holy” War — The Taliban has tried to call for a “jihad” or uprising, yet they have no idea what they are uprising against. The religions of the world are all valid in their own ways; each is different but equally real to its practitioners. The idea of a “holy” war is imaginary and can never be actualized for there is no such thing as “holy” nor is there such a thing as a “right”.
Vote — Hey, American. I’ve got the perfect cure for those Holiday Blues. Feel like your life lacks meaning? Missing a little excitement? Do you envy people who feel as though they have a mission in life? Let me tell you something about this thing called America that you’ve been hearing so much about lately. Right now, it’s an okay place. It can be pretty good if you’ve got a little money and you’re looking to make more. But if you don’t have any money, well, it can be an ugly, ugly place.
Question Authority, Get Active, and be a Voice — "One person cannot make a difference," my room mate wrote in his paper that he requested I edit. He truly believed he was right. He explained that he tries to blend in with society because he believes that he cannot make a difference. I edited the paper by removing the "not" after the "can" in the sentence.
The Sound of Freedom
— The Sound of Freedom: Every day men and women of the US military put their lives on the line for the freedoms of the entire nation. At times the nation can be grateful and understanding but at other times the nation is ignorant and ungrateful. Those who choose to risk their lives to deliver out freedoms deserve our respect and gratitude, now and in times of peace.
Campaign Finance
— As the war winds down in Afghanistan, we have to fight the tendency to return to the apathy that characterized the political attitude of a majority of Americans prior to 9/11. There are a number of key issues brought up by the attacks: reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, reforming US immigration laws, and laying out a foreign policy in which we do not support warlords and illegitimate governments top the list.
It's for the Children, Stupid
— We always hear the Democratic and Republican politicians talking about how they enact their pet programs "for the children." Since they make such claims, it is only fair to look at what they -- the politicians -- have really done for our American children.
The War at Home
— All of our attention is currently on the progress we are making in the War on Terrorism. The number of Taliban we killed, the facilities we’ve bombed, the unfortunate deaths of the four journalists. All of this is news worthy, however, we need to be thinking about how we are going to handle the hardest war to fight of all, the domestic war.
Justifying the War in Afghanistan
— Is this war in Afghanistan justified or are we just once again being the global bully? We went to Afghanistan to seek revenge and to extract it from those who dare to challenge us, but now we see ourselves in position to
do so much more than that, we can free an entire nation, we can become the benevolent benefactors for almost 26 million people. But is that just?
Breaking the Unholy Alliance — If the government can play it's cards right-and that's an enormous if-we can actually see an end to Muslim extremism in the Middle East. Our key partner in this delicate game? None other than our former arch-enemy, Russia. Their oil is the key to winning the War Against Terrorism.
Drug Law Reform — High costs of attending college are a major obstacle for students in pursue of a higher education, forcing the majority to seek federal financial aid. A law under the Higher Education Act is making it more difficult for students to get this money, and it needs to be changed.
For Whom the (School) Bell Tolls — There have been several ideas presented on how to handle juvenile criminals. Is capital punishment for minors going too far? We need to come up with a way on how we can effectively punish juveniles that commit capital crimes.
Let Them Fight Their Own War — While the United States has its war to fight against terrorism, so does Israel. Their country is not only under attack by terrorists, but also by some American leaders,
specifically Colon Powell. How can we expect to rid our world of terrorism if the United States continues to get in the way and impede on the progress of other nations?
Why the U.S. Needs Gun Control — Domestic violence remains a constant problem in the United States, and much of that is a result of the use of guns. Americans should still be protected by the 2nd amendment, but tougher gun laws are in desperate need.
President Bush Says Yes to Stem-Cell Research — President Bush decided he will grant limited funds for stem-cell research. This issue has been the most important for his administration so far, as his ratings have severely dropped within the last few months.
Condit Finally Speaks After 115 Days — Gary Condit finally broke the 115 day silence by appearing on ABC in a nation wide interview with Connie Chung. His attempt to climb out of the mess only made him sink even further.
