When it comes to politics, I'm jaded. Like many of my peers, I've developed a healthy skepticism of politicians, whether on campus, in Memphis, or anywhere else.
Not that I don't care about issues -I do. I've covered U of M student government meetings as a reporter, I've worked as an intern for a state representative in Nashville, I've worked on political campaigns - I've even run a political campaign. But I feel like politics has become more about manipulation than about issues.
Advertising of all kinds has become more specific, but especially in politics. Smart politicians no longer make broad appeals to the public -they find out who is a member of the National Rifle Association or the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, then they craft a message tailored specifically to those people's interests. It's easier to do than you might think, and the result is that voters see all the good things about candidates, but less of the bad.
I'm not saying this system is without its benefits or that all politicians are scum. What I'm saying is that politics, by nature, is dirty. Covering up the bad and highlighting the good are lamentable but necessary actions for anyone who wants to win an election. That's the way things are, and are likely to be, for quite some time.
That's why, when I hear something different in politics than the party line, I pay attention.
In today's issue of The Daily Helmsman,there's a feature on the new Tea Party, a bi-partisan organization of conservatives that has recently grown in popularity. I've watched with interest as the Tea Party movement has grown, not because I agree with all they're trying to do, but because they represent an alternative to the two-party system.
Even if they are gun-toting nuts, as some think, they're breaking free from the political mold, which I find refreshing. In a world with more access to information than ever before, thanks to the internet, it's nice to know that there are options in politics.
Whatever your slant on politics is, if you're fed up with politicians and political parties, do yourself a favor and learn more about alternatives. Not voting is an option in some elections, but that should be a last resort. Instead of excusing yourself from the political process, make a positive change by finding people and causes you believe in, and voting for them.
