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Show iBJ SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE, CEDAR CITY LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY VOTING VJtlKT TO A THE THUNDERBIRD VWV'VS&e, FbR. You MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1989 PAGE 4 SWcfttS &JGHT TTq VoTe Over 200 years ago the nation began with the revolutionary idea that taxation without representation is nothing short of tyranny. What this meant, of course, was that those who pay should have a say; a say in lawmaking, how taxes will be spent, and ultimately, what the future will be like. You it Despite this power ascribed to citizens in decision-makinis dismaying that of the 28 Western democracies, the U.S. ranks last in voter turnout. Southern Utah has customarily fared better in voter participation than the national average, but there remains room for improvement, notably among the 18 Because The Thunderbird views voting as the surest way of letting our voices be heard, and since were on the eve of the Iron County General Election, we felt it important to stir the embers of democracy by urging the registered voters of SUSC to take tc g, CAr tAAKe A the polls. As a cohesive body, SUSC student voters wield clout. We feel that gloomy appraisals claiming that students are either socially irresponsible, lazy or unconcerned with local politics due to their status is moot. To the contrary, college students of today are more informed, socially conscious and better educated than any preceding generation in the U.S. Also, since many SUSC students will be living in Cedar City for the next four years, voting by absentee ballot in their home county would be fruitless they are neither aware of their hometown issues nor will they be impacted by them local political decisions, on the other hand, will. Since candidates are vying for two city council seats and the mayoral position both offices having terms of four years it is a must that candidates have the best interests of students in mind. The reasons are simple. Locally, as SUSC grows in size and stature, the needs of its students will also grow. Expansion of Cedar Citys industrial base is a must if we are to provide adequate jobs for students. It should be said that the Festival City relies upon the cultural climate of SUSC in touting such attractions as the Shakespearean Festival and the Utah Summer Games. Its only right, therefore, that students turn out in number to vote for candidates best representing their interests. Statewide, the General Election will include a referendum gauging voters favor or opposition to Utahs bid to host the 1998 Winter Olympics. Since the Olympic Committee will be watching the referendum results closely, choices made at the polls will impact the quality of life within the state for years to come. Because voting extends an individuals power to influence the course of events, we urge registered SUSC students to vote, making their mark where it counts most on a ballot. non-permane- nt The Thunderbird VOLUME 84, NUMBER Editor Rachel Talbot Associate Editor Kathleen Midgley Assistant Editor Lynn Dennett Opinion Director James Spainhower Photo Editor Jeff Dower Copy Editor Greg Prince Arts & Leisure Editor Lisa Keene Sports & Outdoors Editor Brent Richey 13 Almanac Editor Megan Marshall Senior Staff Writers Heather Cox Jodi Reinard Photo Technician Jerry Whittemore Production Manager Donn Mason Ad Manager Michelle Jensen Ad Representative Jennifer Smart Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday and Thursday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in any way with the College s department of communication. The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird are the opinions of the publications individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number. Only the name will be printed. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges Letters must be submitted by noon Fridays for Monday editions, 5 p.m. Tuesdays for Thursday editions The Thunderbird editorial offices in SUSC Library 103, advertising in Library 102 Mail at SUSC Box 9384, Cedar City, UT 84720. Thone (801) or 586-775- 586-775- 8 586-775- Access Ignorance not bliss for SUSC student Access is a recurring column through which members of the campus community may address themselves to topics of concern andor interest. Todays column is by Jason North, a freshman majoring in communication and, until today, a Thunderbird reporter. But now I became accountable because I didnt follow up on it; I didnt get around to it, I didnt I register. And now because didnt act on the limited information that I had been able to glean from varied sources, I have no say in this election. Im dang mad. The Thunderbird and ASSUSC-t- he STUDENT Statistics show that a whopping 50 percent of the government did nothing or very little to help us population does not vote, and the experts all wonder students out. The paper especially should have listed and whine about why people just dont exercise their the steps to follow to become registered. Freedom of rights. Fish droppings! the press should be used to inform people of Im tired of being told to vote without even being IMPORTANT things. clearly told how to register. Its your moral SUSC is my life for the next few years and I want obligation, they say, Just do it! I looked for guidance: sure there was some little bit of an article about it in The Thunderbird. Whoopie. How the heck am I supposed to The article did mention that those students who I will vote absentee (again, dont know how) should become one of the elite an contact their home County Clerk as soon as possible to obtain more information.... educated voter when no one So I sent a postcard to the County Clerk in my home county, and she talked to my mom (yes, its a even tells me how to become small county), saying, Its too late to register by mail. But she didnt say what the alternatives were. How one the heck am I supposed to become one of the elite an educated voter when no one even tells me how to be able to influence, with my vote, the local to become one? government that controls this area. 3,000 voting I idea a need be to dont maybe Hey, just crazy students could make SUSC very important to the absentee to vote; maybe I can vote in the Cedar people in office. These politicians have some power elections. I found a little green map in a packet of in bringing jobs and recreation facilities to this area advertisements and propaganda that someone put on things students could actually use. my door at the Manzanita apartments. It divided It was my fault that I did not register this time. But Cedar into voting districts and gave a couple of I think that The Thunderbird has a definite I phone numbers for more assistance. called one of the numbers and the Iron County Clerk gave me the responsibility to fully inform its readers. The name and address of the registration clerk in my information and steps necessary to register should be made available for the students. district. |