The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 03, 1980, Page Page 5, Image 5
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.
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: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