Point-Counterpoint: Does Your Vote Count?
This November, many seniors at the Park will have their first opportunity to participate in our nation’s democratic process. But the question still remains: what difference can a vote make? In America, the answer is too often “none.” The students and workers of America have gone too long with no voice, giving it to the politicians who claim to represent them but turn on the people as soon as they get into office. The only way to ensure that our political demands are met is through loudly and openly refusing to vote.
America claims to be a democratic society, but studies suggest that we are moving farther and farther away from the democratic ideal. A recent investigation by Princeton’s Professor Benjamin Page reveals that “When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organized interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the US political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favor policy change, they generally do not get it.” He concludes with an ominous statement: “we believe that if policymaking is dominated by powerful business organizations and a small number of affluent Americans, then America's claims to being a democratic society are seriously threatened.” In America, half of Americans think our democracy needs a ‘lot of change’, if not a complete overhaul. So, how do we achieve this change? Clearly it is not through voting, but rather through organization, education, and conscientious refusal to participate in elections that are determined by corporate lobbyists and wealthy donors rather than the people.
In order to achieve political change, we must show that we will not settle for a new face on the same institution of corporate politics, but instead make that institution seek to make a compromise with us, a compromise made on our terms. This can only be achieved by refusing to participate in our nation’s farce of a democracy.
Ever since I was old enough to at least vaguely understand what voting meant, I have longed to be old enough to participate. Children in the United States grow up living based off of what other people have chosen for them. Voting is a chance to change that and to exercise adult responsibility once you turn 18, and being even minimally politically active helps to make a difference in the world that we live in.
Even though there is a statistically small chance that your single vote will have the power to sway an election one way or another, each vote still counts. If you don’t vote because you think that it won’t make a difference, you are eliminating any opportunity to have your political opinion even considered. How many times have you complained about the way that our country is run, or laws that have been passed that you don’t agree with? How often have you thought to yourself that something needs to change? Voting is an opportunity for that voice that you have to be heard. You don’t need to be the be all end all in a decision for your input to count; if you vote, you increase the chance of the outcome that you favor actually happening.
The voting system that our country operates on was designed to work best when adults of all ages participate. On Election Day, there will be polling booths open in all 50 states and in Washington D.C., and counting begins as soon as voting is finished. Citizens vote in the election in order to contribute to votes from the Electoral College, influencing the outcome of the election. 270 is the magic number of votes from electoral colleges around the country that the presidential candidate needs in order to win the election. In the 2012 presidential election, voter turnout was the highest for adults aged 65-74, and the lowest for adults aged 18-24. If we, the youth of America, want things to change at all from the way that they are now, we need to change that statistic for the 2016 election. The older generations have had their say in previous elections, and that continues to affect the youth of America in ways that many of us are unhappy with. Class of 2016, we have a lot to say. It’s time to step up and let our voices be heard.
NO
By: Benjamin Henderson
Opinion Editor
YES
By: Caitlin Flora
Head Copy Editor
OPINION
Monday, October 29, 2015
The national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, one of the most iconic songs in history representing the best nation of the world is sung at almost every sporting event across this country. However, at most Canton games you will hear something odd about the singing of the song. Up until last year, at every Canton game you would hear the anthem played, like you usually do, until the end of the song.
The last line of the song, “And the home of the brave” is replaced with a blatant and dragged out “and the home of the CHIEFS!” which some people find offensive.
Ever since the Canton High School Chiefs became a powerhouse in the KLAA around the early 90s, the Chiefs have been winning awards and tournaments left and right. Along with increased wins across all of Canton athletics, Canton saw the number of fans and students in attendance skyrocket. More fans mean you have to hype up the crowd and make the experience more rowdy.
“I think it can be seen as offensive, it should be “Home of the brave” instead of “Home of the chiefs” so I understand where some people could find offense to it”, said Canton senior Kushal Patel. “I know the changed anthem is a Canton High School thing, but at the same time we need to realize that there are people that are actually serving”.
Even teams from Canton High School, Girls Swimming and Volleyball, have stopped altering the end of the national anthem out of respect to their coaches along with retired and active military and at this point they are the only teams to stop this act of discourtesy.
In 2007, the U.S. Congress addressed etiquette for the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem in section 301 of the United States Code. One particular part of this statement says “But you must stand quietly until “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave” has rung out and the music ends”.
Most Canton students disagree with me on this matter. I believe that we should take the time to consider the rules Congress has set and recognize that people have died so we can be free enough to play these sports in high school and we should show them the upmost respect. In my opinion, all sports across Canton High School should follow the example that Volleyball and Swimming have set and must stop altering the national anthem. Using your mascot instead of the word "brave", a word used to describe this great country, could be seen as offensive.
But, as always, there are inconsistencies with the rules here at P-CEP and most of the rules aren’t even enforced. This issue with Canton begs the question: Should sportsmanship be enforced?
Plymouth Assistant Principal Dan Colligan, says, “We have put different rules in place to make sure teams are respectful to each other and to refs, shaking hands with both the other team and referees before and after the game have become a force of habit for all teams.” Even though these rules for pregame sportsmanship are enforced, they don’t always carry over into the game.
In the P-CEP Athletic and Activities Code of Conduct, it even states that you should “Live up to the standards of sportsmanship established by the advisor, coach, and administration”. Perhaps coaches, not just at Canton, should expect and force certain behaviors out of their players just like they expect a certain level of play on the court or field. I believe that the Athletic Director should make the coaches responsible for all athletic misbehaviors and negative behaviors during a school sanctioned event.
Athletes need to keep in mind that when their jersey is put on, whether it’s Canton red, Plymouth black or Salem blue, they are not representing just a school or a mascot; they are representing their teammates, fans and their families.
Home of the Chiefs
By: Emmanuel Jones
Editor-in-Chief
Monday, October 29, 2015
Letter to the Editor: Transgender Bathroom Use
By: Amy O'Brien
I don’t care who you are, but if you think your gender you were assigned at birth is not who you are, change it. Be whatever gender you like. Use those female or male pronouns you like. Dress masculine or feminine. Clothes have no gender. Maybe you don’t even have a gender. Use whatever you may identify as. However, even when I say that it can be hard to follow when someone stops you from using what you feel entitled to.
What I’m talking about as well is the simple use of gender-assigned bathrooms. If you identify as a female, no matter what gender you were assigned at birth, you should be allowed to use the women’s bathroom. If you identify as male, no matter what gender you were assigned at birth, you should be allowed to use the men’s bathroom. If you have no gender, feel free to choose whichever bathroom you feel comfortable in. No one should stop someone from feeling like they are not who they are, and they should also never stop someone from going to their bathroom.
Monday, October 29, 2015
Ahmed was arrested at MacArthur High School in early September for bringing a “hoax bomb” to school. The device was actually a homemade clock that he brought in to impress his teacher. His arrest sparked outrage in the hearts of millions. In this day and age, technology is a huge part of our daily lives and we should be encouraging students to invent and be creative. Instead, we punish them.
This story screams Islamophobia. Fear of ISIS is at an all time high in this country, which means the presence of Islamophobia is stronger than ever, making Muslims like Ahmed victims of stereotyping everywhere they go. Islamophobia, especially in schools, is unacceptable and outrageous and should not be taken lightly. Just think about it; if a child of another race or religion brought this clock to school, do you really think they would be given this same treatment? Of course not. They would be given praise, which is what they deserve.
Some may argue that the school was just trying to follow proper protocol in this situation. I disagree. Why would they just assume it was a bomb when no threat from Ahmed was made? He was arrested and humiliated in front of his classmates because of blatant discrimination that many Muslims have been victims to since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
This unfortunate situation should open eyes and help people realize that Islamophobia is real and it is hurting people who don’t deserve the mistreatment that they are getting solely because of their religion.
#IStandWithAhmed
By: Lena Bobo
Features Editor
Monday, October 29, 2015