Election Day

November 4, 2008 is coming up in a few months, have you thought about who you are voting for?

For me and a lot of other students this will be the first time to vote in a presidential election. This is a huge responsibilty and definitely a privalege for us. So my question is are we ready to vote? Do we know the important issues and the judgment to say which candidate will make a better president? These are questions I've been asking myself the last few weeks.

A few ways to be prepared and vote responsibly is by being up to date with the DNC speeches, RNC speeches, and also the upcoming presidential debates. I missed both the DNC and RNC speeches this last month, which I could watch on line. Honestly, I would rather see all three of the presidential debates and the single vice presidential debates. That way I can hear each candidates views, ideas and plans for specific issues. I think it will be an easier way to compare and contrast, if I hear one right after the other.

The hardest thing for me is believing and trusting the candidates. How do I really know if they will do what they say after they become president. I don't and this is where I get a bit nervous. I don't know if I'm the only one that feels this way or if there is more of you out there feeling the same way.

Another thing that I think is important to consider is our influences. I think it's important to vote for what you feel is right based upon your own knowledge of the candidates, not based on other peoples. Don't just go out and vote for McCain because that's who your parents might vote for, or vice-versa. Other people who might influence us are friends, classmates, and celebrities.

We all need to do our homework and know the reasons why we will vote the way we will. Otherwise voting is a waste of our time; and that waste of time has an effect on our society.

Oh yeah, if you still haven't registered there are still chances to do so. The deadline to register for Colorado is October 6th. You can do this downtown usually at the courthouse, at the CUB on campus, or online at Rock the Vote.