Pessimism should not be promoted in publication

Dear Editor:

In response to staff writer Oscar Bissot's views on American democracy and the importance (or the lack thereof) of an American's vote, I am completely dumbfounded as to why such a pessimistic article would be published to such a large student body.

It's great to include genuine thoughts and feelings into a newspaper; an unedited account of the "real deal," and, no, college students aren't the most ignorant or uninformed beings on the face of this Earth. It has been proven that we are some of the most influential in society on various issues.

North Lake College did a tremendous job of alerting its populace to the many opportunities they had to vote in this year's midterm elections. These efforts could be seen across campus with various "Rock the Vote" posters and several teachers urging their students to participate in the election. But what message did students really receive when they opened to page 9 of the last newspaper publication to see the "Why My Vote Doesn't Count" heading plastered across the page in large font? Yes, Mr. Bissot, you voiced your opinion, but is this the way NLC should be represented?

College students en masse tend to produce the lowest numbers in voter turnout already (don't get me started on Dr. Robert Seeley's English class survey, also printed last newspaper installment). Reading flip articles such as these only worsens the student consensus.

While everyone may not agree, here is a breakdown of my thoughts concerning your article:

• Yes, it is true that a candidate does not need to win the popular vote (the part we contribute as voters) to become president. Electoral colleges are sometimes the determining factor for us, whether we are in favor or not. However, the piece was published during midterm elections and the city, county, state and senatorial levels — not a presidential election.

• As stated in the article, the writer feels that there are "far too many people voting to make your vote of any importance." If I may ask, what was the intent of the voters? If their vote influences (as we saw with several regional elections), why can't yours?

• Yes, a large reason for low voter turnout is due to political partisanship. Moneys funneled to a labeled "Republican" or "Democrat" candidate frustrate the general populace, and understandably. One wonders why monies contributed to campaigns couldn't have instead been directly channeled to “campaign issues” (i.e., police officers, firemen, teachers, medical coverage, etc.).

• Third-party influences usually get low numbers, yes. But as stated, they are "rarely taken seriously" by voters because of the very act — or lack thereof — that you emulate. Of course they will get low numbers — you're not voting!

• As stated in the article, "increasing the number of candidates from two to even four would increase voter turnout." Well, sir, since we had four candidates for the title of state governor, did you bother to execute your civic duty?

These are all simple observations one could take away from such a misleading article. It's important to remember that the only way any citizen — regardless of age, sex, color or political views — will make a difference in our cities, state, nation and world is by using your individual vote to show support, express disapproval and convey opinions for those candidates that you agree with.

I'm not a political nut and I don't volunteer for political parties. I just believe that there are better ways to express your opinions and mass produce views that thousands may read and be influenced by.

— Ashley Cox, NLC student

Editor's Response:

In last month's issue, Oscar Bissot wrote a piece on our Open Forum page about his disillusionment toward the voting process.

While I personally agree with Ms. Cox's main point that voting is important, I don't agree with her assertion that the News-Register shouldn't publish pieces like it.

Diverse student expression is a vital component of the News-Register's existence. The Open Forum page was created with the desire to provide students a place where they could share their opinion, no matter that opinion was.

To say that we shouldn't publish such opinions fails to take into account the basic idea behind a venue like the Open Forum page. The page has the express purpose of allowing every type of student expression, no matter how many people are inclined to agree or disagree.

At this bottom of this page is the First Amendment. It would be pretty hypocritical of us to shroud ourselves in the protection it provides while simultaneously using our megaphone to stifle contrary opinion.

Fortunately, because of the campus' diversity, our pages often reflect a wide range of opinions — opinions which we are more than happy to spotlight.

Without such a vocal expression of such opinions, like your letter, the News-Register's role on campus would be pretty pointless.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” — Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America