2008 Woodie Awards
All parties have the right to participate in dialogue
Brian D. Boulet '07
Issue date: 11/3/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
The keystone to America's functioning democracy is the fact that in a nation of 300 million people, all voices are heard. We are able to vote for candidates representing multiple backgrounds, views, and political philosophies. We as Saint Joe's students saw this democracy in action this week, as the campus welcomed both Governor Edward Rendell, and his Republican challenger to the Governorship, Lynn Swann, come to campus. In my experience in hosting and running the Rendell speech this past Monday, I was absolutely pleased to see representatives from both sides of the aisle and every political philosophy in-between amongst the members of the crowd. Questions were asked of the Governor that spanned from gun violence, to teacher pensions, to education, and all walked away from the Hawk Rock on Monday with a better idea on where the Governor stood on the issues. I expressly encourage those same people who attended the Rendell event to attend the event that the college Republicans are holding with Lynn Swann and ask the same questions of the candidate, so that we become informed voters.
There is one small detail that upsets me about this week however. It is that fact that the other two candidates were not invited to come and speak on campus, like the candidates from the two major parties were. Marakay Rogers of the Green Party and Hagan Smith of the Constitution Party are both legitimate candidates for the Governor's mansion, and it is the view of the college democrats on this campus that all political parties and candidates be allowed to express their views here on the SJU campus. The college democrats are extremely grateful that Governor Rendell was allowed to come on to campus and espouse what he stands for, and applaud the administration for offering the same opportunity to Mr. Swann. However, we kindly ask the administration to invite both Ms. Rogers and Mr. Smith to come and share their ideas with the student body as well.
This nation has a great tradition of parties outside of the two party system posting candidates for elections who help shape the political debate. People like Robert La Follette of the Progressive Party and Ross Perot of the Reform Party both helped shaped the debate of their respective elections and left a legacy of input on our political stage. We should afford the Green Party and the Constitution Party the opportunity to do the same thing. I encourage all voters to look at what all candidates for a respective office have to say, and I urge everyone to go and vote on November 7th. It is the most American action one can take.
Brian D. Boulet is Vice President of the SJU College Democrats.
There is one small detail that upsets me about this week however. It is that fact that the other two candidates were not invited to come and speak on campus, like the candidates from the two major parties were. Marakay Rogers of the Green Party and Hagan Smith of the Constitution Party are both legitimate candidates for the Governor's mansion, and it is the view of the college democrats on this campus that all political parties and candidates be allowed to express their views here on the SJU campus. The college democrats are extremely grateful that Governor Rendell was allowed to come on to campus and espouse what he stands for, and applaud the administration for offering the same opportunity to Mr. Swann. However, we kindly ask the administration to invite both Ms. Rogers and Mr. Smith to come and share their ideas with the student body as well.
This nation has a great tradition of parties outside of the two party system posting candidates for elections who help shape the political debate. People like Robert La Follette of the Progressive Party and Ross Perot of the Reform Party both helped shaped the debate of their respective elections and left a legacy of input on our political stage. We should afford the Green Party and the Constitution Party the opportunity to do the same thing. I encourage all voters to look at what all candidates for a respective office have to say, and I urge everyone to go and vote on November 7th. It is the most American action one can take.
Brian D. Boulet is Vice President of the SJU College Democrats.
Be the first to comment on this story