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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 12, 2000)
Letters 2 Opinion WedNEsdAy, Appil 12, 2000 All signed letters to the editor should be 500 words or less and will be considered for publication if submitted by 1 p.m. the Friday prior to publication. Letters to the Editor are subject to editing. We reserve the right to not publish any letter. Learn the leaders; inside the issues; voice your vote George W. Bush Republican Born: July 6, 1946 Family: Wife and two children Resides in: Austin, TX Issues Al Gore Democratic Born: March 31, 1948 Family: Wife and four children Resides in: Carthage, TN Voting Facts to Remember • Presidential Primaries: May 16, 2000 Issues • Where to register to vote: DMV or ASG • Voter Registration deadline May 1 For: Distribution of school vouchers, ex • Applications for ASG positions due April 20 pansion of charter schools, $483 billion in tax cuts across all income brackets, mar riage penalty tax relief. • April 27 ASG nomination petitions are due Against: Abortion, gun control, gay •ASG Elections: May 11 & 12 from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. For: Universal health care, saving social security, stricter pollution standards, gun control, abortion rights, gay rights, cam paign-finance reform, marriage penalty tax relref^expansion of charter schools, cre- - ation of an education Reform Trust Fund. • May 8-10 ASG absentee ballots and on-line voting rights, mandatory increased minimum wage, pollution standards, and universal Against: School vouchers, tax cuts for health care coverage. the wealthy. Does voting really matter? Don't vote just to vote JOHNTHORBURN Editor-in-Chief Everything you ’re about to read is true. This2000 campaign/election/voting year, don’t go out and vote. That is, don’t go out and vote just to vote. Don’t go out and vote unless you know what it is you’re making a deci sion on. Two weeks ago, in my Local/State Government class, Dr. Dean Darris brought up a sad but true practice in America. People say that as Americans we should be proud that we have die right to vote and we should exercise that right whenever possible. They never bother to say to go out and actually educate ourselves on what it is we're supposed to care about. Why is it that we hold something so dear and special to us and actually spend virtually no time learning about what is going to change our lives? We hold events like MTV’s “Rock the Vote” and make it convenient to register citizens. Let me ask this: Ifyou have to convince a person to register to vote in the first place, do you really ■want them voting? If people are so apathetic about their rights, how does it make sense to give them more pull in your community? Now, I have been guilty from time to time of being apathetic with my voting rights. But, I have never gone out and turned in my ballot just to say that I did. The age-old saying is true—your vote does matter at every level. But please, if you want it to mat ter, take the time to read about your ASG or presidential candidate. Don’t just toss the ballot measure descriptions aside when you get them in the mail. In 1998, Virginia Legislator Clifton A. Woodrum was quoted as say ing, “The Declaration of Indepen dence said that government derives its right from the consent of the gov erned. .Without knowledge, there can be no consent.” This spring, the college is hoping that a bond will pass that will bring $47 million for improving the cam pus for the students. This is the perfect reason to do re search on a measure. Make a decision about the college. Say yes to the Clackamas student of the future or say no. But don’t do it unless you know what the hell you’re talking about. SALENA DE LA CRUZ Opinion Editor Every year many people ask them selves why voting matters? Do we TO VOTE really have a say? Oregon primaries will be held May 16 to determine new laws and elect new officials, including the president of the United States. I don’tthink there is areal issue that needs to be concentrated on during these proceedings other than—-just vote. Every year many people (myself in cluded), choose not to vote because they don’t think their votes really mat ters. They do, maybe not in the way in which we think, but it gives a feeling of OR NOT TO VOTE, accomplishment knowing we are part of something that could veiy well make a huge impact on the country as a whole. Now, ifyou are one ofthose people who throw away your mail-in ballot or never bothered to register, I ask you to reconsider. We all need to be part of THAT IS THE REAE the process of deciding what issues are most important to us. This year I’m going to fill out my ballotandmailitin. I’d like asay about who will be running the country. I be lieve Al Gore to be the best candidate this year. Gore supports many civil QUESTION. Editor-in-Chief: Business Manager: John Thorbum (x2447) Karl Katzke (x2578) Managing Editor: Cartoonist: Megan Oldenstadt Joel Gunderson Chris Lundgren Design Editor: Timothy A. Bell Staff: Feature Editor: Mike Pollock Erin Bernard Steve Nielsen Tam Oliver Toni McMichael Jason Lingel Maggie Jirasek Matt Shempert Shelbi Wescott A & E Editor: Angie Daschel Copy Editor: Sandy Lupo Associate News Editor: Diana Scrivner Sports Editor: \9bQQ S. M o I a U a Ave. O reçon Cl-ry, O regon 97045 (505) 657-6958 ext 2509 . CCCpRiNT@clAckAMAS.CC.OR.US Secretary: Mandy Good JoAnne Gale Opinion Editor: Advisor: Salena De La Cruz ’ * Linda Vogt (x2310) rights issues, including women’s rights and gay rights. On campus, the ASG elections will be coming up. Isuggestyouaddyour vote to the rest of ours. Also, the voters will be asked in May to approve a $47 millicm dollar bond to remodel and add to the college; in or der for the measure to pass, 50 percent of registered voters must vote, and 50 percent of those must approve the bond. We must educate ourselves on laws and people that have the ability to change the way our country works. This will help us to be a bigger and better part of what is so important for the future of our children and our children's children. Be a part of something that really means something. The decisions you make on May 16 could affect us all forever. I’m asking you as students and as Americans to care about the laws and leaders we choose for our schools and our country. Ifyou are not registered, you can go to your local DMV (De- partmentofMotorVehicles)ortheASG office on campus. In1helongrun,your vote may not seem like it matters, but you’ll have your say. Vote 2000! Questions or comments e-mail cccprini@clackamascc.or.us or drop by B-104. The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner. The opinionsexpressed in The Clackamas Print do not necessarily reflect those of the student body, college administration, its fac ulty, or The Clackamas Print advertisers. Products and services advertised in The Clackamas Print are not neccesarily endorsed by anyone associated with The Clackamas Print. The advertising rate is $4.75 per col umn inch. The Clackamas Print is a weekly publication and is distributed every Wednes day except during Finals week. The Clacka mas Print Copyright 2000.
