By Jeff Snyder

A person’s college years are often when they develop their basic political beliefs (though for some of us, the “college years” have lasted a lot longer than for others). In hopes that our readers do not make some of the same mistakes that I have, I offer some hard won gems of knowledge.

  1. Don’t believe the hype Presidential candidate Alfred E. Smith once said, “No matter how thin you slice it, it’s still baloney.” He failed in his bid for the Presidency, but this sentiment is absolutely true. Politics is all about misdirection, obfuscation, and chicanery. It can be very difficult to separate fact from fiction. Our job as citizens is to become informed consumers. Research and investigate the (often contradictory) claims of politicians. Most are more concerned with reelection and the perks of political office than what is best for us. Professional politicians are, at best, a necessary evil and we should run out of office anyone who abuses the system.

  2. Be a lion, not a lemming Do you vote the straight party line ticket on Election Day? It is amazing that so many Americans allow themselves to be led rather than thinking for themselves. We as Americans love to celebrate, even flaunt, our diversity and independence. So why then do so many of us vote as if there are only two widely divergent choices? The 2000 Election is a great case in point. More than 90% of African-American voters cast their ballots for Al Gore despite the fact that many black voters are socially conservative and agreed with George Bush on many important issues (such as school vouchers, education, and faith-based charities). I am not picking on the African-American community here. Rural whites went for Bush in a major way even though they would have received the greatest benefit from Gore’s proposal to provide medical care for every American. The Jewish vote is strongly democratic even though the Clintons’ push for an independent Palestinian state (though only Hillary ever said so publicly) has brought Israel to the brink of war. Do not allow your political affiliation to define your opinions. Rather, support specific politicians because they agree with you.
  3. The emperor is nakedRemember the old story of the emperor who wanted new clothes? He ended up walking around nude but people kept commenting on his fine apparel (because he was the emperor, of course). Political parties are like that emperor; they hope we will not challenge them on their inconsistencies. Democrats have traditionally opposed the death penalty because some innocent people will invariably be killed by the state but support late-term abortions (at a stage of fetal development where the child could possibly survive outside the womb with appropriate medical care). Republicans are not too concerned about the possibility of executing the innocent unless that execution occurs in an abortion clinic. The liberals will go to court claiming that nude dancing or computer generated child pornography is protected by the Constitution but conveniently ignore the Second Amendment or the religious expression clause of the First. Conservatives claim to oppose the extension of government but support various kinds of censorship. Need I continue? Think for yourself instead of letting them think for you by proxy.

Remember that the American government belongs to you, not the politicians. If they do not serve your interests, get rid of them. Let them know that their pink slip is only one Election Day away!

Jeff Snyder is a senior history major and a columnist for The Louisville Cardinal.