VANGUARD EDITORIAL: Beyond the ballot

The polls are closed, and America has witnessed one of the more exciting mid-term elections in a long time. The balance of power has shifted to the Republicans in the House, while some races were too close to call and voters had to wait for days to hear the final results.

Oregon experienced such suspense in its gubernatorial race between Chris Dudley and John Kitzhaber, which was so close that analysts had to wait an extra day to speculate, and the official call came two days after elections.

Yes, it was a thrilling political ride. Though when it comes to elections, most voters share a misconception—that once elections are over, their job is done, and we all can take a break until the next voting season is upon us.

This perception is grossly inaccurate. Elections are the easy part; the real work is done while candidates hold the positions for which they campaigned. It is between elections that politicians actively represent you—making decisions and casting their own votes in matters that affect Oregonians.

It is common to hear people promote the idea that if you don’t vote, you cannot complain about issues that come down the line afterward. But what can be just as relevant for voters is to keep on their representatives, making their voices clear so that those in power accurately represent them.

Whether your candidate was voted in or not, these politicians answer to you.

Over the past decade, funding for Oregon’s higher education has been cut dramatically during each biennium. Every cut in state funding has been offset by you, the student. These cuts are made up for through your tuition, which in many cases translates into your educational debt.

How much better can your education be if you actively engage your politicians on such an issue? How much lower will your tuition be if you speak up when politicians think you aren’t looking? The only way to know is by doing so.

The state of higher education and how it affects your wallet is but one issue among many that influence your daily life. There are many more with which you can engage and put in your two cents.

How can you do this? You can start by attending the meetings of your political party. For example, the Democratic Party of Oregon has monthly meetings in every county. On Nov. 11 the Multnomah County Democrats will hold their monthly meeting for party members to discuss issues and plans of action.

The Washington County Libertarian Party meets every third Sunday of the month—it even posts important topics the meetings will address on its website. At such meetings, you can find who is influential, who the key players are and how you can effectively make a difference—or at least get a point across.

It is a common complaint that political parties aren’t addressing the needs of every member. One of the best ways you can remedy that is to get involved, and maybe even take over the party (or at least your local branch for starters) with others who share the same concerns. You can check your local party’s website for meeting dates or other ways to contact them. They have the ear of representatives and other influential people.

You can also contact your representatives directly through mail, email or by simply giving them a phone call. Every politician has a website with contact information—use it. Get others who share your ideals and concerns, and together stay on top of your representatives.

Politicians’ websites also may provide their schedule or information on where they will be making public appearances. Go to them; get in their faces. Make them answerable to you directly.

This may seem like a lot to do, but it is easier than you think. One individual doesn’t have to do all of this all of the time. Little efforts here and there are what count. And if you influence others to make little efforts as well, the effort soon becomes not so little. It does not take much to make a simple phone call or send a brief e-mail to a representative communicating what you, their constituent, wants of them.

Recently, even fledgling political groups have come out speaking loudly—or persistently—and in turn have made big waves through the political system. Imagine what a large group of individuals, each making their own little effort can do.

Politics is the spectrum in which society plans out how our lives will be lived, how our children will live—everything from how we will travel, to how we will eat, to the air we will breathe. Becoming civically engaged is far more than peering in on a system that we sometimes relegate to the sidelines, it is about taking part in your life.

Virginia Vickery Editor-in-Chief Corie Charnley News Editor   

Nicholas Kula Arts & Culture Editor  Richard Oxley Opinion Editor  

Robert Britt Sports Editor