OUR VIEW: Choose wisely, your vote matters

Each year it seems like the platforms of ASUSU candidates sound like a crusade for change. And at face value, the campaigns are well intentioned and idealistic.

There is, however, a fine line between idealistic and unrealistic.

We do not believe any candidate would make outlandish promises or play off hot-button issues merely to secure votes. While we do not doubt the sincerity of any candidate’s platform, we do sometimes doubt the feasibility.

Some of the idealistic promises made by candidates sound as good as root beer in the drinking fountains, but don’t be fooled.

For all the talk and promise of a better Utah State University, ASUSU’s real power and responsibility is in lobbying the state legislature and budgeting student fees. The real work of ASUSU deals with matters of the pocketbook. From funding clubs to paying for services at the Health and Wellness Center to helping the hockey team get to a tournament, the student leaders of USU deal with financial bills all the time.

It is for this reason students should take the time to research candidates. Our hope is that students will elect leaders who will legislate and allocate with integrity and a clear understanding of how fiscal concerns translate into academic ones.

Just having “people skills” or good marketing techniques is not enough to hold office. Students should also look for leaders who are passionate. Those seeking to merely boost their resume for grad or business school will not in the end really be what’s best for USU.

Those elected will be charged with the responsibility of both lobbying the state legislature each year and allocating student fees – your student fees. So choose wisely. Your vote might just have more of an impact than you think.