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I Editorial mnai _?_ 1 Don't let others decide your future Throw away the prediction polls. Gallup, Time and ABC polls are more meaningless now th*? Hav hofnr? the oWHnn W J ? W. ~ V ? V>VVVIV11, than they were during the course of the campaign. Tomorrow's poll is the only one that matters. Forget percentage points and scientific sampling because the points accumulated in the voting polls aren't scientifically formulated ? they're real and permanent. The results of tomorrow's election will have a profound effect on the future on this country. Unfortunately, student turnout at the polls is traditionally low. It is a shame because students are supposed to be the educated voters. Students have the most at stake because they will have to live with the repercussions of the policies mndp in thp npvt fftiir vm?~C- Innrtn.. *u ? ?*' ... ?~ .uui jv?io luugci liu? 11 diiy uuicr voung group. The race this year is so tight that a few votes in the tooclose-to-call states, such as South Carolina, can sway the outcome of the election. The decision is yours. Will you decide your own future by casting your vote, or will you let someone else decide your future? Too many people underestimate the importance of this election. They don't vote because they don't like any of the candidates. Hut the fact is that whether you vote or not someone will be elected president. Apathy is not the solution to the problems facing the nation and not the course to take when your future is involved. Voter apathy is an alarming triMlH If ?cnr?n m;?\; illnui ? c?mnll *?1 ...UJ u.iun .iiiuiii, aiiui;g lUIIIWt ilY 10 control the affairs of the nation. The stakes are high in this all-or-nothing gamble for the presidency. High not only for the candidates, but for all Americans. The candidate who wins in tomorrow's election must face a host of crucial problems that include: the hostage situation and the crisis in the Persian Gulf, nuclear arms proliferation, rebuilding the ountry's international prestige and respect, the quest foi new energy sources, boosting a sagging economy and quieting minority unrest. In casting your vote, you will have to decide how you want these problems handled. Do you want four more years of Jimmy Carter's policies and tactics9 Or Hn unn ihn chance that a new kid in Washington, Ronald Reagan, will have the fresh solutions needed to clear up the problems and give Americans someone to trust as a leader? Or uo you cast your vote for John Anderson or a minor candidate, such as Ed Clark, out of protest of the major candidates or because they truly encompass your views on the issues? There are differences in the way the candidates would handle the office in the next four years. Carter is intelligent enough, but his actions and policies as he adjusted to the office have made him appear slow and incompetent. He has come a long way in learning the intricacies of the office, but he has learned too late in the game. He has not mastered the art of leading the nation and efficiently managing his administration. Voters may not give him the chance to correct the many errors he has made during his first term. Reagan is not as intelligent as manv Dast nrosidonK anH therefore surrounds and shields himself with a multitude of advisers who plan much of his strategy and policy. But Reagan, drawing on his acting skills that made him the star of many dramas, has the charisma necessary to attract followers and instill hope. Reagan's age is a major consideration. When he began his political career he was older than Carter is now. Because of his age, a Reagan presidency may well be only one term. Anderson once was a serious threat to the two major candidates. However, his following has slipped. Anderson is very intelligent, is a good speaker and makes strong stands. But he is too abrasive and harsh for the American people. If ho t nnno r\r\ u?m U . 1 ^ Ml J ? i*! '1 1 * wiico vivwn ma aiyic, lie wm ueimueiy DC a man to watch in the 1984 election. College students do not need to be told how to vote, but they do need to be told to use the day off from classes as it was meant to be used. The future begins tomorrow. Don't let anyone else decide how you will live during the next four years ? vote. gamecock ? 1 Founded 1 908 Newsroom: 7 77 7181 Advertising: 777 4 249 Business Office 777 3888 Production 7/7 2833 Stephen Riddell Editor Brian Melton Copy Desk Chief Richard Meyers Asst . Sports Ed Mark Platte News Editor John Pa'nell Graphics Editor Kevin Johnson Asst News Editor Cylinda Calvert Wire Editor , Jeannie Ralston. . Editorial Page Editor JorfV B'ewer Genoral Manager Leesa Bambridge Ent. 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I Addrss letters and columns to Editorial Page Editor, Gamecock. Drawer A, ? USC.Columbia.SC 29208 ' u., / :hrL, 2 Anawa To the Editor. With tho growth in the number of award presentations in recent years, it seems fitting that awards should be given for debate performance. Accordingly, I would like to honor worthy participants in the Carter-Reagan Debate with the Spiro Awards for Outstanding Political Rhetoric. John Ant has been To the Editor: I keep hearing that if Joh wouldn't be able to achieve a there would be no member Bolderdash! One of the arguments for ele Democratic Congress and a move agressively on new le problems. Well folks, it hasn't with Congress have been legi< have languished in committe little cooperation between Con four long years. On the other hand, Ant unassailable proof of current < present political leadership. II politicians and bureaucrats ali opportunity to break the polit Anderson is a highly respect worked in thfi inctitiifinri fr?t* strated that he can't get leg knows even less about how 1 derson has been there. He kno done. Nixon cai To the Editor: There has been quite an iproar recently on Capitol lill concerning a possible idvisory position for tichard Nixon in Mr. Reagan's administration, if le is elected. The Democrats ire using the issue as a K)litical weapon, and the Republicans are afraid to :omment on the validity of he charge. There is little loubt that both sides could ise some advice. The Democrats are creaming about values and orruption, but do they ealize that history will >robably look favorably ipon Mr. Nixon's ac "Letters ti f ...? ru-wmn The Most Revealing Statement Award. Jimmy Carter receives this award for explaining his conclusion that nuclear arms limitation is the most important issue by recalling that last week he asked Amy what she thought. The Jimmy Carter Holier Than Thou Award. Named f A?? iff f rvi ? * iwi iui iuuiiuci , 11us awara goes to Honald Reagan for ierson there n Anderson were elected, he nything as president because s of his party in Congress. cting Carter in 1976 was that a Democratic president would gislation to solve America's U ^ , I rt 1 > ? uay^ueu. warier s proDiems on, and most of his programs ;es. There has been precious gress and the White House for ierson's election would be citizen dissatisfaction with the : would be a clear message to ke, and it would provide a rare ical deadlock of both parties, ed member of Congress who 20 years. Carter has demonislation passed, and Reagan Washington works. John Anws. He can and will get things Elbin L. Cleveland . 1 1? ineip compiishments in office? True, he did make some grievous mistakes. These should not be excused or ignored. Even though these faults are present, his foreign relations policy administrated by able men was one the Carter administration could not hope to see in five terms. Great minds and morality do not necessarily coexist in the same body. The advice from Mr. Nixon's experience and knowledge should not be i ' wasicu simpiy uecause 01 sibling rivalries. Mark Miller History Senior ; \ m o the Editc ing debt stating that in an attempt to effect an early release of the ? ? A nosiages in Iran, ne plans to "keep praying that they will come home." The Dizzy Dean Award. There was a tie for this award, which is named for the immortal baseball announcer, between Jimmy Carter, for his repeated mispronunciation of the word "nuclear," and panelist Barbara Walters, for her inability to sound the letters "1" and "r" (nookwee-ah pwo-wif-foo-ashun). The Comic Belief Award. ijiiiiiiiy Vscftl'ier piL'KiS Up another award for his contribution of the debate's humor plateau. In response to Barbara Walters' invitation to criticize his opponent, Mr. Carter stated, Finanda will decre without C To the Kditor; After a long struggle, students finally have gained the right to vote, yet a smaller percentage of students vote than any other group. Perhaps this is because many students feel that the outcome of a presidential election won't affect them. But even if students feel that the environment, world peace, social welfare and human rights are not important, they must recognize the direct effect that federal aid io euucauon will have on them. President Carter has supported funding for education on all levels. His Middle Income Student Assistance Act has made one million additional students eligible for federal education grants by raising the family income ceiling to $25,000. There are almost 10,000 students at USC 1 DP ate "Reluctant as I am to say anything critical about Governor Reagan, I will try 10 answer your question." The Low Koad Award. This coveted award goes to Ronald Reagan for his likening President Carter to the witch doctor who becomes angry when a real doctor comes along with a real cure. The Most Frivilous Statement Award. This award goes to Jimmy Carter for his unforgettable words. "I am a southerner." The St. Jude's Award For Mercy and Compassion. Ronald Reagan receives this richly deserved honor for sparing viewers from another rendition of his "shining city on a hill" closing statement. Curtis A. Doming laid 'xxse barter j receiving federal money in 1 the form of BEOG, NDSL and other programs. Both Reagan and Anderson have consistently opposed Federal loans and grants to college students. This election is very important to students. Will we vote for President Carter, who has consistently supported financial aid, or for Mr. Reagan, who has said that he believes that assistance should be given on the basis of ability, not financial need? Theoretically then a rich kid could supplant a poor kid for financial aid if Reagan were eieciea ^resident. For many of us, this election will determine if we'll be in school again next year. As one who receives financial aid, I am very concerned about this election. We should all be. Courtney Calmes Vice President USC Young Democrats