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Andrew Johnson Layout Editor It always amazes me to hear figures about the voting habits of college students. With so much political vigor, some would think that people our age would be the strongest in the polls. You might say, that the initiatives on this ballot are of no concern to you, and that within our two party system it does not matter who you vote for (well, they are all the same candidate). I say, the people who do find those initiatives interesting are the same people voting to raise your taxes; also, there are plenty of third (or fourth) party candidates to justify the thirteen cents in gas it will cost you to visit the closest elementary school and vote. Initiative 776, the newest $30 license fees initiative is vying for your vote. If you think that I-695 was the catalyst that spun our economy out of control, and younger brother I-776 will further deepen the damage, then you need to let Tim Eymen know when to shut up. However, if you think that trimming the budget will teach lawmakers to be frugal and enact real solutions to our nightmares, then you should vote too. Initiative 776 is an important piece of legislation that, if voted for, could completely change the political climate here in Washington. Who cares about fire fighters retirement system? Fire fighters, of course. I am not a fire fighter. Referendum 53 is an extremely important vote. The battle behind R-53 is whether Washington is unattractive for big businesses. With Boeing moving its headquarters to Chicago, this battle is on the forefront of many people's minds. However, those who are campaigning against R-53 are rooting for the small business owner. They say that more taxes will further kill the small businesses in our state. Furthermore, there is a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT proposed on this ballot. While many of you may not even be able to understand the measure (I am having difficulty myself), you could always ask someone. As I see it, Joint Resolution 4220 is asking that the term of fire protection property tax levies be extended. Right now, your local fire department has to ask for levies every year; JR-4220 would extend this to four or six years, depending on the type of levy. While all of the state senators and all of the state representatives voted for this bill, I think I will vote against it. As far as the candidates go, I always vote for someone who is not a democrat or republican. When I have no choice, then I read up on the candidates. Those of you who are lucky enough to live in Seattle have the opportunity to show your support (or contempt) for Jim McDermott. While most Washington D.C. politicians were busy combing their hair, McDermott was in Iraq. Whether or not his tour was swayed by the Iraqi government, he still had the kahunais to stand up and look for the truth. Imagine if the people who had the most to say about the government actually said the most. If all of you budding political activists put your vote where your mouth is, then maybe some of the changes you protest for will actually happen. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™ |