Politics on Campus

I live on campus at a local university, and I've really seen the whole kitchen sink when it comes to politics...

-Absolute right-winger Bushites,
-Absolute left-winger Kerryites,
-Absolute anarchist nothingheads,
and everything in between.

People have painted their cars with slogans supporting one candidate or another. There are pro-whomever stickers on every available surface. Sometimes on weekend evenings, I've heard songs of outrage against Bush, sung by drunk college kids. I've been accosted by people asking me who I am voting for and if i want to help them accost other people in a similar fashion.

In a way, it's good to see young people so involved in the democratic process. It surprises me how evenly split the people here seem to be. I guess I always had the rather naive impression that college students were all liberal, and that conservatism was something for the old and jaded. But oh, that's right... most everyone is jaded nowadays.

I just want to know: what is the political climate on college campuses near you? Are there protests or public actions? Are there massive get-out-the-vote campaigns? Is there a rampant visual display of candidate support?
You get the picture. Just wondering

 

mostly left wingers...but frankly i wouldn't consider kerry left wing really....he's just not...right wing.

 

Good point. Let me revise my statement. Absolute Kerry supporters aren't really far-out left wing. They just aren't right wing. I am voting for Kerry, but only for the same old tired "Lesser of two evils" reason....

 

4 years ago when I started school (near election time) there was nothing going on like that, at least not to the extent it is now. Seems to me like more young people are getting involved this election than last.

Which is why I don't think the polls are very accurate, because so many people who are going to vote aren't included in the polls. (And I am hoping that a good amount will go democratic - which more younger people tend to do)

 

College politics are bullshit politics. Coming off of four years of college, I know. The average political mindset of the typical college student in America is one of group-thought, much like the rest of the country that don't know what critical, independent thinking is.

I have been out of college for almost half a year now, so I don't know what the current scene on campus is. But it's probably the way the mainstream media portrays it, which in-turn dictates who people vote for, which in-turn shapes phony, inside-the-box college politics.

You often have a few Naderites and other third-party voters (many of whom are just poseurs), but most of them are Kerry/Bush supporters.

Of course the archetypal, political, collegiate mindset in America is one of mindless leftism and socialism, which is pushed by a good majority of professors who think they're more intelligent than they really are. I'm glad I was always bright enough not to buy into their bullshit and propaganda.

 

Rat, are you saying that people who don't agree with your political opinoins incapable of independant thinking?

The only independant thinkers are the ones who think just like you?

What if your political opinions became mainstream?

 

That is not at all what I am trying to say.

 

Well it came across as you thinking that anyone who is a repub or dem are just sheep tot he mainstream, but I am sure there are plenty out there that actually think that they are best represented by these parties, and that is their choice.

But I was just playing a little devil's advocate, anyways.

 

well he did say most libertarians are mostly poseurs too....

 

I don't go to college currently.

just wanted to say that I disagree that you equate

"Absolute left-winger" with "Kerryites"

*shutters*

 

Right, right, absolute right or left wingers don't think that either Kerry or Bush are the ideal candidate, but that's the general consensus among ideologies I think.

As far as campus organizations/politics, I think they're great. I'm involved with those like the College Rebublicans and Libertarians among other specific policy advocates. My campus has always been a large majority of liberals, the hippies are pretty well imbedded here as well. But this year I think because of the upcoming election (and of course a ton of work) we've had a massive amount of students register to vote and join those organizations I'm affiliated with. College politics are just about like anywhere else, there are uninformed voters voting party lines but there are also those working to educate others about the way our political system works and why each side thinks the way that it does.

 

I should clarify, I mean absolute or extreme (I assume that is what was meant)ideologies do not think either the repub or dim candidate is ideal. Unless you are a social conservative I guess. Or dim.

 

Then he would have to adopt an even more unpopular stance in order to appear "different" unlike the rest of us sheep.

 

Our campus is pretty active too, lots going on relating to politics. I'm involved with the College Dems and the environmental group(s). Boardwalks are chalked, signs are up, lots of lectures. I think its fun. I always ask people who they're voting for. Politics always comes up in many of my classes too.

You can always spot a College Republican......briefcase instead of backpack, button-down shirt...they look like politicians.

 

I stopped by the VP debate at Case University in Ohio. There was a lot of activity in the free speech field. The students and others there were mainly either pro-Kerry or pro-Bush.

Some of the Bush people were very emotional. It was difficult to even try to talk rationally with them. Case is a private expensive school, so there is a fairly large number of well to do students and support for Bush.

I only saw one Badnarik sign and one sign about third party inclusion. I was disappointed with the lack of third party interest by the protestors. There was a quieter event at another field on campus where people could sign a petition to try to get the RNC and DNC to include third party candidates in the debates. Quite a few people showed up for that event.

Enthusiasts in front of the MSNBC TV show:

 

Hey, wait a minute. I sometimes wear a button-down shirt but I'm not a Republican! But I have to admit, I don't carry a briefcase.

 

My favorite student protest sign was at the Presidential debate in AZ: "Screw Iraq. I need a job!"

 

What school do you go to? I think me and everyone in the organizations I'm affiliated with are exceptions to that rule.

 

What school do you go to? I think me and everyone in the organizations I'm affiliated with are exceptions to that rule.

 

Right, because after all I only hold the political stance I do in order to appear "different".

What an idiot.