Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GLENDA MILLER INTERIM EDITOR JIM FARRELL ART FRANK MGN. ED. AD MANAGER EDITORIALS No more draft A Campus Opinion-originated poll has revealed that 72.6 per cent of college students favor an all-volunteer army. Another 21.5 per cent are against the idea. For the poll, 950 collegians from 40 colleges were in terviewed. The majority of the students, however, do feel that the present lottery system is fair. About 71 per cent of those interviewed are in favor of the system. Twenty-four per cent are against the lottery. The results of the first question--the question of the all volunteer army--are not really surprising, for two reasons: first, because of the obvious anti-military on most campuses and, second, because of a less obvious reason--one which revolves around the idea that man is out for himself, out for "old NUmber One/" as one interviewee' put It. We likewise are against the draft because of itso discrimination in selection. The draft takes the poor man' who can't get into college. Also the draft interrupts--often permanently--a young man's right to decide his future. Some men don't mind serving for Uncle Sam, but the military is not necessarily their bag. Many think another type of system should be set up to serve our country, constructively, not destructively. We would advocate this type of service if the terms were set in a manner in which the country would benefit by the drafting of its young. A conservation corps would be ideal. A national group formed along the lines of V ISTA would be fine. Or, better yet, a group involved in consumer protection, sort of an extension of Nader's Raiders. We sort of like the last idea. The thought of drafting young men to protect our country against fraudulent business practices would have numerous benefits. There is little being done now against business malpractice. Of course, the consumer protection group would be just one of the alternatives. Other services could be offered * If a draft must be maintained, then make it a draft of fairness and construction. If the draft is going to be eliminated--like the majority of the students want and like Nixon seems to think--then let it be done. Soon. Wo.a L?vu!DN'TYO SETo. FOR 30i~g PECETS OF S/L.VER'?' University analysi The grea By CHARLES FELLENBAUM Columnist You can smell it. You can hear it. And quite soon, you will walk over its symbols on the ground, or maybe crumple one and throw it in the nearest recycling bin. Such is the nature of a political campaign at election time. Perhaps this is an ideal time to examine the role of student government. Student government. Mention the words to the average student. on campus and he will probably sneer at you in disgust. Mention them to an average participant, and his eyes will light up and he will tell you what a great thing it is. The truth probably lies somew here in between, at least presently. The antics of a few animals in the senate zoo give the whole organization a bad name, partially undeserved. We haven't had a truly effective president in the past four years except for Mike Spears. But the student body gripes and complains about the organization, and it has as bad a reputation as the food service used to have. (Student Government helped improve the food service, by the way.) Citizen Sanity The last By STAN SEARS Columnist Citizen Sanity woke up one morning to find posters and pamphlets scattered across campus. After wading through the grafitti and litter-scarred campus to the student's taproom: he had a few drinks to realize that it was - dynamo-B.S.-getchavoteforme gismo-giveaway time again. Ot hers called it election time. Sanity wondered if he would get balloons and pens again this year. - Already he was running low on pens, and he liked the balloons to blow up and throw at concerts or fill with water and throw at his neighbors. Maybe they would give out bumper stickers again. You could always leave them on a prof's seat. Just like elementary school. thinking of more devices that could be used by the campaign people, an animated character ap proached him. "Hey, you gonna vote for Runnin' Joe this year?" "Oh, is he running again?" "Of course. What would an elect ion be like without Runnin' Joe in it." "He doesn't go to classes, does - he?" "No, that would take away from campaigning time." "What else is he running for?" "President of Hillel, We stminster, Newman, Junior Jac kasses, Baby Elephants, and every student body in the state." "Well, give him my regards." "How about your vote?" "Oh, I'm not a student here." "That's okay. We can take care of that." Sanity left the taproom on that - note. "Can't even get a good drink without them bothering me." He s tarted to wade through the piles of trash on his way to the Post Office. Sanity never received any letters, - bu e,nw taci.o.ol ee S t misunde This reputation is due to a very basic misunderstanding of what student government is and what it can do--this misunderstanding b ased on a heap of broken campaign promises--vote-getting promises that could never have been kept. Student government is basically a lobbying organization that has b een fairly effective in its behind the-scenes work. Much of what the go% ment accomplishes is never pubb,.Lzed. But it has made some important, although usually subt le, changes for the good of the students. For the government to be effe ctive at all, it must have a leader who really knows the university well, someone who will take the low-key approach. The ad ministration will almost never yield under public pressure. But if a well-documented problem is - presented to the right administr ator, there is an excell6nt chance that it can be worked out. This is not my opinion. It is a fact. Even though student governm ent has little of the obvious power that griping students must think it has, it does have tremendous PO TENTIAL power over almost - everything but academics. The giveaway clogged with give-aways so he went to clean out the box. "Who knows, maybe I got a good water balloon. Or maybe someone finally wised up and sent cash instead of gifts. That would be a cooler way of getting votes," Sanity thought. Arriving at his mailbox, stuffed with the expected, Sanity strained to remember the combination. He found the combination in his wallet, covered by a bunch of phone numbers and messages to himself. "Hey, look what I got," Sanity exclaimed. "They sent me a credit for a pitcher of beer at one place and a bottle of wine at another place. The politicos are finally wising up and being good to us alkies." what I got. Santa Politico sent me a nickel. I got to try it. For free, I got to like it." "Goldang! Them politicians got it down right well. Richere's that - pin ah wuz gonna give to mah gurn." Apparently," observed Sanity, "they have done research into our habits. Those of us who desire alcohol have received our just re wards, those who enjoy other delights have also been thought of. Hurray for the politicos!" Sanity spent that night enjoying his payoff, content in the fact that the politicians in his world had wis ed up to reality. Now, instead of using gimmicks that had brought - his great-grandfather's votes, - politicians were doirig research to find what the individuals enjoyed, - and satisfying the individual's ne eds. Sanity began wondering why th ese individuals were so dedicated to the task of getting into office. Was it that they were highly ded icated? Or, could it be that they were only in it for the money? Sanity found that the stipends for - the student government were gro wing, as were the benefits. Who - encoud beat it: -Q. snea ots, goodre g.n rstanding new constitution is the source of this power. But there lies the problem with student government. The pre sident, the student senate and ev eryone else has virtually ignored what the constitution has to offer. If they had examined it closely, 4 and had the political expertise to put its provisions to work, truly great things MIGHT have been - done. So, students, an effective student government is really up to you. You must elect the person who will be able to actually do something. Choose wisely from the fascinating array of available candidates. Do not be misled by wild promises and brash statements, appealing as they often are. Try to talk to each candidate if you can, or at least read campaign material closely; and remember the hidden source of student government power-sharp politicians who can work on the administration. The chances are very good that the candidate who makes the most pleasant impression on you will also be the most effective president. election istration times, and whatever else you could legislate for yourselves and your cronies. Sanity knew it was a good deal. 'Everyone ought to be in student government and get those benefits." Keeping in style, Sanity aroused his friends to the fact that everyone ought to be a student legislator and derive the benefits. They all agreed, so a petition was begun to have every student become a part of student govern ment and abolish all elected of fices. Naturally, every other student wanted the benefits, so a majority of the students signed the petition, therefore abolishing all elected offices in student govern ment. Because everyone had an equal position in student government, everyone could use student government stationary, and everyone could register at 8:00 the first day of registration. The organization that had previously alienated student legislators from others was now gone. They were just like others, because there were no others. Everyone was equal in government. Naturally, a few problems arose: who was going to use the President's office; who could use the typewriters; etc. This problem was overcome in a capitalistic manner. All furniture and equipment that belonged to student government was sold. The offices were rented out to groups. Soon, students found their fees reduced because they no longer had to support student legislators. All the students received their tickets at equal times, and registration was the same. And all the students at Citizen Sanity's university graduated happily ever after. But that's anqther story.