Editorial: Super ignorance

02/06/08 - Yesterday marked an important day for democracy. Across the nation, citizens turned out in 23 states that held primaries to select political parties' candidates for the U.S. presidency. While Rhode Island didn't hold its primary yesterday, any astute political science major would agree that Tuesday marked an important turning point for the presidential candidates.Yet students appeared stuck in super ignorance, unaware of the significance of "Super Tuesday" or, even more horrifying, unaware of the whole event. Such ignorance is astounding when one considers that the media has relentlessly drilled into viewers' and readers' minds that this could be the moment where America selects two people, and one will almost assuredly become the next leader of the free world.

It seems like a poor time for America's youth to be ignoring the political process. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan place hundreds of thousands of young men and women in harm's way. The federal and state governments are increasingly withdrawing financial support for institutions of higher education. The economic picture is looking bleak at best.

And, in theory, college students are a cut above the general public. This group of students is supposed to be the country's next leaders. What kind of leaders will they be if they cannot even name those vying to become president?

All too often we hear complaints. "It's not interesting," some say. "It doesn't affect me" or "I don't like any of the candidates." No one ever said politics is always thrilling, but elected officials play an important role in America, which should be interest enough.

To argue that the person that becomes arguably the most powerful leader in the world doesn't affect you is to argue that you never use the U.S. Postal Service, receive a federal scholarship, pay taxes or expect airplanes to fly safely.

As of press time, it appeared that Hillary Clinton or John McCain would become America's next president. If these two are not worthy of the American youth's attention, what are people watching?

Rhode Island will hold its primary on March 4, and depending on how the final results stack up, it may still matter, at least for the Democratic primary. Even if it doesn't, the general election is coming in 10 months. We would hope that provides students plenty of time to brush up on their knowledge of the candidates.