OUR VIEW: Candidates need own creativity
It happens every year. ASUSU candidates depend on national and local companies to win the election. ASUSU hopefuls, every year, continue to either intentionally or not intentionally violate copyright laws and compete for the best local coupon on the backside of their fliers.
While the issue of potentially copyrighting signs is a problem, it’s doubtful a big, national company would sue a single candidate from Utah State University. But, by using another company’s symbol, candidates lose all originality in their campaign, while using any professional status their campaign. How often do you see a state representative or even a city council member using a Nike, Quiznos, Mastercard or Pez symbol in their race? That kind of campaigning is more reminiscent of high school.
Students should vote for the candidate who is best suited for the position, not for the person with the cutest sign or best coupon. Every year, this not excluded, students run for positions citing creativity and originality as qualifications. Stealing someone else’s symbol for your entire campaign is not the best way to prove that.
We do applaud those candidates who do come up with a catchy phrase or campaign, especially those who’s campaign has to do with their hoped-for position. It’s a good way to get the initial attention needed for students to examine their platforms.
But, more than a few are getting sick of campaigns that depend on a marketing rep’s creativity in New York or how much money saved at a local restaurant. Sure, the coupons are great. But, we want ASUSU officers who can make decisions, listen to students and work together, not just save us 50 cents off a sandwich.