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The Gan SGA: Who's at fault? TO TIlE EDITOR: Right off the bat I would like to say that I am not a staunch proponent of SGA as it stands now. Empirically, it is a farce--a pompous charade signifying only the satisfaction of certain ego drives. In principle, however, it can be a vibrant force possessing a true voice in the self-determination of student affairs at USC. In analyzing the failure of potentiality of SGA, it can be noticed that the main factor in this best-laid plan is the minimal input by the student body. Bill Grant, - in his excellent column, "Student elections: A futile exercise" (Feb. 17), notes the limited voter turnout come election time and asks the obvious question,. "With such a limited input by the student body in general, can SGA call itself representative of student views and opinions?" The answer is equally obvious-certainly not. But who is at fault here? Not the government officials; they are merely playing the game as dic tated to them by our societal heritage. Even further, a good percentage of them genuinely feel for the problems at this University. The fault can be laid squarely at my doorstop, and at the doorsteps of many others like myself. In denying the entire "system" we have divested ourselves of the ability to empathize with those who are sincerely ,devoted to the struggle for a voice in determining our own affairs. By this denial we open the doors for opportunism in government for those unprincipled souls who merely wish to get their preferred tickets or their share of prestige by the relatively simple act of becoming our "represen tative." If we cared enou&h to screen those who aspire to power and analyze what sort of stands they take on given issues, then our student government might possibly shake its moribundity and become the force necessary to raise USC up from "the depths of mediocrity." If we fail to give our represen tatives a clear mandate, we are washing our hands of our right to self-determination. SGA is only a resonance of the collective voices of every last student in this in stitution. "Nothing will come of nothing" if we abstain from making a choice--and this void of popular opinion will be filled with the fruits of a popularity contest. An unwillingness to make use of this instrumentality, which is, after all, a tool for our betterment, will inevitably leave us (to quote a foremost expert on oligarchical rule) "twisting slowly, slowly in the wind" of official self-interest and immunity to unvoiced majority opinion. *To answer Grant's question--No, it is not worth it to carry out the solemn foolishness of the elections as things stand now. But, paradoxically, the only way to rid ourselves of a non-entity govern ment is to get out and vote, in telligently, anid with a clear notion of exactly why you are voting for your choice. Only time will tell if student tecock s m government is doomed to play the fool forever. But for the good of all, I hope that the enlightened in terests of the body politic begin to play a stronger role in USC politics. It's the only game in town, so we all may as well play it to the hilt. JAMES WHARTON Teddy Kennedy for president? TO THE EDITOR: As a citizen of the greatest country in the world, I am con 1F.U I Eui A Student-Re travel through 13 Eur Buy one, we'l business. All we'll say get there, be it At Holland, Italy, Luxer Switzerland. 100,000 mile: and social attraction and comfortable. And you'll dic Second Class. You c if you want to eat on You can ever is valid on many Eur foils. It also offers ) excursions you migh And how's th offer bikes for rents one station and drop All you need under 26. There's It Student-Railpass he not for sale in Europ If -you have le: or want to travel First Eurailpass. A two-we $130. Three-week pa One month, $200. Tv Three months, $330. Don't wait. It j trip of your life. See y clip the coupon and al? the facts,. Prices subject to change. STUDEN ,ail cerned about the 1976 Presidential election. We need a candidate who can "bring us together again." This candidate must represent the best of America's traditional values, as well as being far-sighted enough to handle future problems. He must uphold America's foreign policy toward the Soviet Union and toward the Middle East. He must work for campaign reform. Finally, he must fight for the rights of every individual. It is my opinion that-only Sen. Edward M. Kennedy can provide the leadership this country needs. NAME WITHHELD oam rope a for Jilpass gives you two months of u opean countries. Il give you a map, and where you is that European trains hre a ser istria, Belgium, Denmark, Franc nbourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain 3 of track link cities, towns and h s. Our trains are fast, modern, cor cover there's very little second cc an sleep in a couchette for only $E a budget, inexpensive snacks are take a cruise on the Rhine, if yot Dpean ferries, river and lake stear ou substantially reduced fares c t want to take by motor coach. is for travel convenience? Many [1, and it's possible to pick up a it off at another. to qualify is to be a full-time st. ist one catch: You must buy yot re before you take off. They're S time to travel, Class, consider ek pass costs iss costs $160. ,o months, $270. Jould be the our Travel Agent orM ve'll send you ame~ IStreet.... T~RAILA$S Icity__ T-LA SI TheOprice S colnieutafry THE GAMECOCK Editor Managinq Editor JIM HERSH Ak M r STE/E PAPKFR ART FRANK The Gamecock welcomes letters from readers. Letters should be limited to o single subject and a maximum of 300 words. They must be signed with the writer's true name. Pseudonyms or other aliases will not be used, but the writer's name will be withheld if circumstances warrant. To assist us in verifying the identity of writers, please include your mailing address and a telephone number where you can be reached. We reserve the right to edit all letters, not for content, but to meet our spoce - limitations. Address: Campus Opinion, Drawer A, USC, Columbia 290. around LI summer 180. nlimited Second Class rail go next is your own sational way to e, Germany, Sweden or istoric, scenic ivenient, clean iss about i.00 a night. And :ften available. like. Eurailpass ners and hydro In many side rail stations bike at dent i - Eurailpass. Box 90 Dent. 192-2056. Bohemia, New York 11716 se send me your free tudent-Railpass folder urailpass folder S~State ip of One trip could pay for all of Eurona.1 ___