USU politics: a sea of inbreeding

As much as we all may cringe at the thought, there seems to be a general acceptance for — or at least knowledge of — corruption in our federal government.

We turn something of a blind eye to what we assume to be a lot of “dirty politics” that go around. In a machine as massive as the federal government, it seems unrealistic that every power-hungry politician is using only honest means to advance his or her career — As long as all of the men look like Kevin Spacey and all of the women look like Kate Mara, then we’re fairly content watching the real life version of House of Cards play out in front of us. — And besides, in a nation of nearly 319 million people, it can seem hopeless that one person or even one group could really change anything.

And this may be true.

We can vote. We can sign petitions, but the US Senate will still probably be something of an old boy’s club. Candidates with more money will most assuredly do better than those with less. Nepotism, favoritism and political inbreeding will continue to run rampant.

While we accept such behavior in our federal government, it seems ridiculous that we would allow similar attitudes of “dirty politics” in our own university elections. With enrollment numbers at about 28,000 here at USU, we have a much greater opportunity to make a difference in an electoral system. USU student elections shouldn’t be an episode of House of Cards.

So why aren’t the “best people for the job” allowed to win? Why do arbitrary endorsements from various popularity contests determine which students will become a college senator while well-qualified unknowns who don’t play the games get voted out immediately by the already-established voice of the current student government? Why do we see rampant favoritism and in-breeding in our student politics and do nothing about it when we have the numbers to actually make a difference?

Allowing a government to be inbred paralyzes ingenuity and forward progress because it doesn’t allow new voices — different voices — to be heard and to contribute. In an electoral system, different is the point. Having a variety of opinions is how the greatest solution is found.

Our candidates should not be schmoozing each other for endorsements and being afraid to step on toes in this election so they don’t compromise their chances of loftier election goals next year.

Our candidates should be reaching out to clubs and organizations and individual students with real attitudes of progress. The bulk of the student body doesn’t care about endorsements, so why is that the primary concern of the candidates?

As a student body, we should be taking control of this issue. The student elections are our responsibility.

And so to every student who doesn’t care about the elections, every student clueless to the candidates and positions, every student pointedly avoiding central campus this week, I implore you: Educate yourselves about the candidates. Go out and vote.

Don’t let the same two-hundred people maintain control of student government. These elections affect you, your money and your future. Vote.

— Katie Swain is a senior double-majoring in print journalism and drawing and painting. Contact her at totally.energized@gmail.com.