Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Nov. 6, 1986, edition 1 / Page 2
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IIQ Page 2 ~ ’II u'.nii' a 1 The Pendulum fl Ik^ Editorials . %•* Dr I- ,„,,j VOting Frankly Speaking Are informed ballots cast? All of the politiking that has been occuring over the past months was concluded Tuesday when the last voter cast his/her ballot. Deci sion ‘86 has finally been made. Millions of voters across the U.S. voted on who their representatives in both the House and Senate will be for the next term. However, the question must be raised concern ing how many of these voters made informed choices. The United States has been a model of democracy for many na tions. The right to vote has been a vital privilege in our democratic society. Voting has gone through many changes since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. What was once a privilege for the few is now enjoyed by practically everyone. At one point in this nation’s history a person had to be a male over 21-years-of-age, must be a substantial landowner and had to pay a poll tax. Women and people held in slavery were not allowed to cast a ballot. There have been changes in the voting process since that time. However, according to the Greensboro News and Record, only 40-55 percent of the eligible voters in the U.S. voted in Tuesday’s elections. This is a poor turnout for a country that others look to for guidance in forming democratic societies. The fact that more Americans do not exercise their voting privilege is atrocious. Voting provides us with a chance to express our views on the issues that surround us today. These issues include the arms race, apartheid, intervention in Central America and cutbacks in student aid and other social programs. Our views should be informed ones. It is important that we know as much as possible about the issues. This will help us select the best candidates who support our views. Changes occur daily on the world stage and it is necessary for us tc stay up-to-date on developing as well as existing issues of national and local importance. It is essential that we be informed on where the candidates stand. What party do they represent, what is their party’s platform, what is the candidate’s voting record? All of these questions need to be explored in-depth so that an educated decision can be made on which candidates to support. A variety of resources are available that can be used to research the candidates and issues. These include televised debates, campaign brochures, broadcast and print news and speaking with the candidates themselves at events such as the College Coffee. We have a responsibilty to our country and to ourselves to elect the best possible representatives to serve in local, state and national government. The only way to fulfill this responsibility is to cast an informed vote. It would be dangerous to do otherwise. By Michele Lashley BLOOM COUNTY wco...There's a ptmm. iTOiPcmp MYseLF /m>55 -mLAfwpny. dor bill mcfiT m Hipim 5mmR£ IN m memKTEK SMOKm ft amem... W >AIP ivy- Q5V£R£P HAll^ ivy miVthiG DRINKING AND DRIVING CAN KILL A FRIENDSHIP IMNK OUR MtKBP. TMAFmiP TM Hm.Y Tvmm iNWflCfir. by Berke Breathed mp WHftr'5 mppeum (mcOFY The Pendulum Editor Michele Lastilej I ' Arts Editor Wonne Evans j Sports Editor Jeff Marcit I Advertising Rexanne Ayeu Todd W Photographer cord FinW Ann Cralldis Feature Editor Dot Advisor Dr. Bob Nw®* | The Penckjium welcomes letters. hrnl^l I reiiuuiuMi to 250 words, from our reade«^ | material may tie submitted as opw I tides. All letters must be siow.8™, I phone number given so ttiat I validity can be checked, 'ne reserves the right to edit (or I good taste and accuracy The w" ■ for submitting material is 2 p.m 1 Our office is located in 102 1 Ave., phone 584-2331. This I put)lished by the Communicatiore i Board of Eton College. Fou^^l tober 14, 1974, as the newspaper serving the BWi community. The each Thursday during regulanen™ cept for the examination anfl periods. The Pendulum is priraw"' cept for the examination i periods. The Pendulum is P' Burlington Daily Times-News
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Nov. 6, 1986, edition 1
2
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