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Show jNESDAY, OPINION Dem vote in chaos MARCH 19, 2008 DIXIE SUN BY BRETT PRUITT Dixie Sun Staff Writer Jan. 15, and Florida improperly moved its to Jan. 29. As a result, both Just a few Barack Obama and months ago the Democratic Party and its members were Hillary Clinton promised not to campaign in those states at the request of the Democratic National Committee, and both candidates agreed that primary results in Michigan and Florida would not figure toward the final delegate count. Now, as the Democratic primary race becomes more competitive, both candidates want to renege on their promises, and now both candidates want votes in Florida and Michigan to count. However, theres just one little glitch. With the votes already taken in Florida and Michigan being favorable to Clinton, she wants the votes to stand as they are. Obama, on the other hand, obviously wants a revote. Considering that Obama didnt even put his name on the ticket in Michigan due to the schedit would uling foul-upis in order seem a e just to keep things fair. But in order to hold a its going to cost the Democratic parties of Florida and Michigan about $10 million each, money neither state party has at the moment considering they just spent most of their funds on the first vote. praismg them- selves for making history. They were, for the first time in American politics, going to be the :Trst political party to have either a female nominee or an African-Americanominee for president. Now that praise for themselves is fading into the background, and the Democratic Party and its members almost are histo n Obama appeal grows BY ELLIOTT BUELER Dixie Sun Staff Writer With the Democratic Party facing an ominous split convention, Barack Obamas likeability, youth and charisma continue to influence independent and even Republican voters who may decide the 2008 election. Obamas appeal can be explained in large measure by what hes up against. With strict partisan players in his immediate opponent and perhaps his more distant, Obamas call for change has resounded above the cries of mere Democrats and Republicans, ringing true with Americans. We are witnessing a critical time in our nations history. The past eight years have left our country battered and bruised and this, like many of its predecessors, may be a defining moment the commencement of positive social and economical change or another wasted opportunity. A Gallup poll showed that only 17 percent of Americans want to conty inue with President George W. Bushs policies against an overwhelming 79 percent who favor change. While Sen. . Hillary Clinton would certainly bring about change, it may not be the kina of change so many Americans are desperate for. Clinton, an unflinching partisan Democrat, has been criticized for her lack of appeal beyond the confines of less educated and female Democrats and her inability to look beyond party lines to see America as a whole. What makes Obama such an appealing attitfigure is his seemingly ude evident in his speeches despite his policies, which are, by all accounts, the most liberal. His cool, collected approach in spite of his near novice status make non-partisa- n likeable than both GOP candidate, Sen. John McCain. He can speak to conservatives about pulling troops out of Iraq and raising taxes and somehow, all they hear are inspiring appeals for a more united him much more Clinton and the America. In fairness, much of what Obama hopes to instigate is not likely to bring about an overwhelming unity amongst most ' but he sure makes it sound like it will. Thats what he has over both Clinton and McCain the inexplicable Americans, ry. As is typical in trust to believe that he, before anyone else, will make radical change both possible and productive. Obamas lack of experience has been repeatedly called into question, criticism that he somehow seems to gracefully work to his advantage. Hes the fresh face unsullied by the so many Americans see incorruption todays politics. Just as 2008 no news is good news, for Obama, no track record may mean a good track record. Obamas political and personal past isnt stained by scandal and ill report, a quality appealing to conservatives and independents alike. Beyond the almost contagious likeabili-t- y that seems to be issue No. 1. among his supporters, public disapproval for his opponents may be a deciding factor if Obama is to clinch the nomination and the presidency. Many conservative Republicans view McCain as a liberal donkey in elephants clothing and are wary that his rabid emphasis on the war in Iraq as perhaps his one political stronghold makes him an unfavorable choice. On the other hand, whatever tancy Republicans feel toward McCain is dwarfed by the almost unifying hatred they feel toward Clinton. Her cold, impersonal politics appeal to no one and have spawned the, If Hillary gets elected, Im moving to Canada voters. As far as many Republicans are concerned, as long as its not Clinton, just about anyone will do and when the anyone is a charismatic, confident individual, the anyone starts to look very appealing. Despite the clear advantage Obama has with African-America- n voters, his recent speeches have been laced with references to an America free of racial and social distinction. Unification is a policy no one can argue with and in the case of Obama, no one can compete with, neither in sentiment nor delivery. An emphasis on uniting America also draws attention away from his policies for those focused more on the man himself, voters who would otherwise radically oppose his political agenda. Obamas surging appeal among conservatives and independents may very well outdictate the immediate and long-tercome of this election. Charm and charisma do well to mask the otherwise stark contrast between parties, and Obama seems to have a monopoly on both. Letters to the editor Millenials face challenges in future Occasionally I am on the Dixie State campus, and I always feel the nostalgia of my time as a college student. I enjoy experiencing the hope and vibrancy of youth that you exhibit. It only seems like yesterday that I was in your position. Even though it is a long time, the 50 years between 20 and 70 go by all too quickly, and with much left undone. There was a rather presumptions book written some 15 years ago titled GENERATIONS The History of America's Future by William Strauss and Neil Howe. Through their research, they came to the conclusion that generations come in cycles, the theo: 1584-206- 9 . ry being that each generation one of four types: GI - elders born 1901 to 1924, belongs to also "Greatest Generation." SILENT - midlifers, born 1925 to 1942. BOOMERS - rising adults, born 1943 to I960. GENERATION X - youth, born 1961 to 1981. Strauss and Howe then anticipate the emerging new generation and name them the MILLENNIALS (which is most oi you Dixie College students), born between 1982 and 2003. One current interesting contrast is the U.S. three most prominent candidates for Presidency represent the latter three of the above McCain of the Silent, Clinton of the Boomer, and Obama of Generation X. They each have their own distinct views of the world, which are rooted in the generation they are a part of. Yours, the Millennial Generation, has been described as being the second Greatest Generation (following the cycle referred to). This inferring, in Part, that you have the sensibilities, lead-ershi- and cooperative spirit necessary p meet the hardships and challenges oi the first half of the 2 1st Century, as did the former GI Generation of World War wispersonally have more faith in the dom of your than that which generation has been exhibited by the prior three. If I could ask one thing of my and other generations proceeding yours, it would be (as we are aging) to acknowledge the coming financial burden we will be to those following us. We can do this in a number of ways. First of all, to insist on B-- Warren S. Wright State taxing poor to give to rich Many Utahns never felt the recent earthfisquake. It occurred when a legislative cal report warned that growth in income-tarevenues will drop nearly 50 percent, down a sizeable $149 million. the bare miniLegislators now have only to keep pace mum of funds for schools with enrollment growth and inflation. Utah's wealthiest 1 percent reaped huge financial gams over the past four years tax and naturally paid more incomeGOP leadOur (thus creating surpluses). rushed in to and felt their pain ership lower the top tax rate. middleYet decades have passed where the -class has wrongfully been moved into the upper tax rate without similar tax relief Approximately 100,000 taxpayers, moderate many retired or families with pay more rather incomes, will actually next than less income tax the new reforms. year because of taxing nearly For decades we've been all workers at one rate 7 percent. Raising public education funding in this fashion has damaged our social fabric by pitting taxpayers against schoolcouples and retirees teachers, childless with children. against families Legislators could have used a multiple tax tax rate policy, providing substantial moderate-incom- e relief ($500 tax cut) to the protecting our taxpayer and alsocurrent The singlefunds. school public rate income tax policy does neither. (Go to www.utahtax.org. for details.) x labeled the to (and be willing to sacrifice to make it happen) the future solvency of Social Security or something comparable to it. Second, to be prudent in our own use of Medicare. And thirdly, and most difficult of all, when the time comes and it our own life appears to be the last yeartoofnot ask for the costbenefit) (to weigh or expect any special or heroic efforts to such a prolong our life. This is because disproportionate amount of healthcare financial resources are spent with little comparable gain during that last year of iife. - - Matthew Frandsen Huntsville, UT . American politics, promises were made and then quickly broken. According to Democratic National Committee rules for the presidential nomina- tion process, no states other than Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina were allowed to hold their primary elections prior to Feb. 5, 2008. Both the Michigan and Florida Democratic parties promised to hold to the original timeline set for presidential primaries. Then, they decided to renege on that promise and hold their primaries early. Michigan improperly moved its primary to re-vo- -- 7 So, as is usual when you get a bunch of lawyers and Eokticians together,is the Party now stuck in a quagmire of jumping through legal, fiscal and organizational hoops attempting to get something, anything, together in order to seat the Florida and Michigan delegates at the DNC Convention in August. A menagerie of solutions has been put forth, all of them with one thing in common: they stink. Some want to let the original votes stand but only count a partial number of delegates for the nomination convention. Others want a but cant agree on how to conduct the Essentially, what exists is a complete and total chaotic mess. John McCain, the Republican Partys nominee for president, must wake up every morning feeling giddy. For he knows, as well as I, that if the Democrats dont get their act together and figure this thing out quickly they will indeed make history. It will be the first time in American politics that a political party has squandered the best opportunity it ever had at the presidency and rendered itself utterly impotent in a political meltdown. re-vo- full-blow- n So long , Spring Break ruin everyones fun. BY CRAIG BLAKE Sun Opinion Editor Consider how this following dialogue ruins the excitement found in this Dixie . Spring . j Break is over. know that j ' fact is hard for many of us to face. One , k m thing I do to get, over that is pretend I am still on Spring Break and Im just being very productive by taking extra classes. Not only do I feel like Im completely free, I feel like Im an incredibly responsible person. The longer I can live this lie, the better. I am counting on the philosophy that if you tell a lie it will eventually grow out of control. Hopefully this lie grows completely out of control and takes over my life. Other lies Im considering telling myself: I am filthy rich. I have a great volleyball serve. I lift loads of weights all the time. For those of you, unlike me, who dont think they can lie to themselves for the rest of their lives, Ive decided to help you relive your Spring Break. There are a few really important components to every really good Spring Break that my own recent experience perfectly exemplifies. The first and most important component of a really successful Spring Break is to get wet and wild. If you arent getting way wet and wild, it means you are a lot more likely to be dry and under control. Being dry and under control is fine if you are filming a deodorant commerI , I 4 but during Spring Break it is a sure way to cial, paragraph. Carson Daly: Is everyone having a great time?! Is everyone getting wet and wild out there?! Spring Breaker: Actually, Im really dry and completely under con- trol. Now imagine that happening all Spring Break long. What a downer. On the other hand, imagine being in a deodorant commercial and the same thing being said... com- pletely different response. Food for thought. Anyway, I was determined to meet that goal as soon as I reached my vacation destination: my parents house. There arent many places wetter and wilder than the Blake residence in South Jordan, Utah. That is why I moved right into phase one of my Spring Break, which was to clean the house for six hours the moment I walked in the door. During the time I spent cleaning the kitchen I splashed some water on my shirt; part one accom-- plished. All the while lis- tening to music very loudly... wkdly even. I was getting pretty wet and wild cleaning that kitchen, not to mention the family and living rooms. With the first major component out of the way, I moved toward the last few major components of an excellent Spring Break: running errands and playing a lot of Final Fantasy 12 and Super Smash Brothers. Anyone who Things that are lame BY CRAIG BLAKE Sun Opinion Editor Dixie is Oprah's IBig Give - There nothing can think of that will motivate people more to give selflessly and from the bottom of their hearts than a HUGE CASH PRIZE!! Thank you, Oprah, for making people more kind, more giving, and less materialistic, one $1 million prize at a time. Blinker Neglecters - Every time you dont turn on your blinker you are upping the chance that you will die in a fiery wreck. That is the only in this thing I take comfortme situation... it keeps strong. Item or Less Neglecters 1 think we go far too easy' on these people. Next time I see this happening, I will begin screaming at the top of my lungs: This person has more than 10 items! Look! Look at their basket! I have proof!" I challenge you to do the same. If this 10 doesnt wipe them out, I propose the creationofof aum "Just buying a pack or other odds and ends lane. When People Don't Tell You There is Something on Your Face - The emotional trauma and embarrassment you tried to have me avoid by not telling me saw tripled when everyone all that stuff on my face. I don't think you really thought that plan through. Grocery- Store Food Chasm Food can be found on the right side of the store, food can be found on the left side of the store, but the entire middle of the store is full of cheap plastic garbage. It is like the bundt cake from hell. Hey Bob, I have a great idea. What if we put all the stuff no one buys in the middle of the store. Then maybe when they are striding back and forth finding their food, they will end up stuff buying a bunch of they dont really want. Randy says, Sure, Bob. has ever really had a good Spring Break knows that it isn't good unless you spend several hours bat- tling monsters. I bet memories of your own Spring Break are flooding back now. All the monsters you vanquished, all the errands you went on, all charthe Nintendo-branacters you combated... yup... it doesnt get better than this. Yup... pretty d cool... Anyway, now that Ive filled you with those great memories, that ought to energize you to get through the rest of the semester. You are going to need that energy to learn the life skills you are bound to acquire this semester. After all, life is a lot like a game of Super Smash Brothers ... if you push everyone else off the platform into the abyss, you win the game. I now have loads of practical experience in doing just that. DIXIE SUN Casie McNaughton, Editor in chief Rachel Tanner, News Editor Craig Blake, Opinion Editor Jared Burton, Sports Editor Jackie Fletcher, A&E Editor Bonnie Coleman, lifestyles Editor Amanda Anderson, Photo Editor Josh Black, Ad Manager Ashley Blake Elliott Bueler Brock Bybee Melissa Contreras Karen Curl Brittany Lish Kevin McArthur Carly McClellan Whitney Phillips Brett Pruitt Tyler Roberts Whitney Roberts Brad Thomas Brent Wilson Kristen Shimomiya Rhiannon Bent, Adviser DIXIE SUN HOW TO REACH US Dme Sate College CareerFmancial Aid Bldg. 225 South 700 St. George, Phone: East lT 84770 (435) Fax: (435) dixiesundixie.edu http:sun.dLxie.edu The DIXIE SLN is distributed each Xcdnesdas duras a publication of ing Fill and Spring semesters Dixie State College, Arts, Letters and Sciences, and Dixie State College Student Activities The unsigned editorial on the opinion page represents the position of DIXIE SLN as determined b its editorial board Otherwise, the views and opinions expressed in DIXIE SLN are those of the individual writers and do not necessarilv reflect the opinions of DIXIE SLN or am emits of the college |