In an age where media outlets control national exposure to election campaigns, the responsibility for casting a true, unbiased vote is solely on the voters. Political coverage has become clouded by biased media outlets and talk-show hosts at a time when our country's future hangs in the balance. No longer can we rely on the news to provide us with clear and informative insights into each candidate's platform.
Coverage of this year's election has inundated the public with a myriad of bylines that have convoluted our nation's voting process. The media has jumped from story to story over the last decade like a voracious hummingbird intent on going from flower to flower until every last drop of nectar has been devoured. From the O.J. Simpson trial, to Monica Lewinsky, Gary Condit, Scott Peterson, and now the 2008 presidential election, the national media has left the minds of the American public dazed and confused.
Non-issues in this year's election have taken the place of what is truly important: each candidate's political platform. Instead of focusing on the most important issues - the environment, civil rights, and the separation of church and state with regards to abortion and stem-cell research - national media outlets have chosen to focus on age, religious background and celebrity appeal.
I write this article not merely to promote my own political stance, but as a plea to conscientious American voters to educate themselves with regard to where each candidate stands on the most important issues.
No rational person can argue that the world is not currently undergoing a dangerous climate change that poses a risk to the survival of our species. The United States must join the European Union in its efforts to protect our planet's environment and reverse climate change before we reach the tipping point.
A global effort will be required to solve this problem - the most daunting task in the history of the human race - and Americans need to educate themselves about candidates' positions on this issue. I recommend that everyone read Gabrielle Walker and Sir David King's new book, The Hot Topic."" It is unbiased and highly informative.
The next major issue at hand is that of civil rights. The United States has sought to improve its civil rights record throughout its history and one of the last major hurdles lies within the gay community. Through some perverse interpretation of Constitutional law, the national government has stood by the wayside when it comes to gay rights and has cast the responsibility to the states. Our country needs to stop catering to the discriminatory claims of the Christian Right that continue to trample the rights of a large section of our country's population and do what is right, which leads me to my next issue.
A separation of church and state has been weakened in recent years through appeals to overturn Roe v. Wade and bans on embryonic stem-cell research. Not only is personal freedom threatened, but the progress of human society and medical advances have been hampered by the infusion of religious views into the political arena. Some would like to believe this country was founded as a Christian society, but this viewpoint is disproved by the Constitution and various letters exchanged among our founding fathers.
I do not want to preach one candidate over the other. All I want is for each voter to make an educated decision based on the political stances held by all candidates with regard to the aforementioned issues. Several unbiased websites exist, most notably OnTheIssues.org, which provide insight on candidates' quotes, votes and the ratings given to them by various issue-based groups. Please help turn the tide of convoluted ballot-casting and educate yourself on these issues.
Tom is a senior majoring in political science and history. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
