2008 Woodie Awards
Educated voters hear both sides
By: Anna Mavromati
Issue date: 3/18/04 Section: OP/ED
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Everyone is familiar with the classic high school cliques, such as the preps, the punks, the jocks, the nerds and many others. There are popular kids and unpopular kids.
It's a funny thing, but we never grow out of this trait. As adults, people still have a crazy need to categorize each other into groups.
This scenario goes way back in history. There were always separate tribes in civilization, often battling each other over their territory or their beliefs.
Nowadays, we have these battles just as before, but in different forms, including battles that involve money, promises, speeches, ads and big titles. There are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. There are liberals, moderates and conservatives.
Many voters already know whose side they are on. The Independents tend to be equivalent to the less popular kids in school. They are brave enough to try for it, but it will take a miracle for them to win, or in many cases to even have their existence acknowledged.
The big fishes, the Democrats and the Republicans, usually have a larger following and better publicity. Although these two party's are not necessarily wiser, stronger, or better-looking than the Independents, they are the big parties, so the supporters will come.
When it comes to the presidential election, the two major political parties are constantly trying to keep each other out of power because each would prefer to have the power for themselves. Both parties are telling the public that their candidates are better and that their party needs to be in charge.
The supporters of the parties will defend and praise their candidates, proudly sporting bumper stickers, banners, flags and donkeys or elephants.
Many voters are so into their mascots and colors that after they know the name of their parties candidate, they don't need any more convincing before they go to turn in their ballots. They will vote for their party based on these superficial things with few or no questions asked.
It's a funny thing, but we never grow out of this trait. As adults, people still have a crazy need to categorize each other into groups.
This scenario goes way back in history. There were always separate tribes in civilization, often battling each other over their territory or their beliefs.
Nowadays, we have these battles just as before, but in different forms, including battles that involve money, promises, speeches, ads and big titles. There are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. There are liberals, moderates and conservatives.
Many voters already know whose side they are on. The Independents tend to be equivalent to the less popular kids in school. They are brave enough to try for it, but it will take a miracle for them to win, or in many cases to even have their existence acknowledged.
The big fishes, the Democrats and the Republicans, usually have a larger following and better publicity. Although these two party's are not necessarily wiser, stronger, or better-looking than the Independents, they are the big parties, so the supporters will come.
When it comes to the presidential election, the two major political parties are constantly trying to keep each other out of power because each would prefer to have the power for themselves. Both parties are telling the public that their candidates are better and that their party needs to be in charge.
The supporters of the parties will defend and praise their candidates, proudly sporting bumper stickers, banners, flags and donkeys or elephants.
Many voters are so into their mascots and colors that after they know the name of their parties candidate, they don't need any more convincing before they go to turn in their ballots. They will vote for their party based on these superficial things with few or no questions asked.