View from the Valley

Political debate is what makes America one of the best places on Earth. As guaranteed by my beloved first amendment, anyone with a point of a view has a right to express it. However, this does not mean that some decorum should be ignored when approaching the political arena.
The health care debates on campus gave an amazing opportunity for Marshall students to express their political opinions in a clearly articulated and civilized manner. The same opportunity was presented in a debate among political parties last semester.
However, certain people have turned these debates from a well-mannered meeting of the minds into an adolescent fit full of name-calling and disrespect. This type of immature behavior has no place in the intellectual world provided by this university.
For example, at the most recent debate, the Republican Party was compared to Hitler, was called a party of racists and was told that they were going to hell for putting a “price” on human life when they were concerned about the cost of the health care plan. Last semester, a republican was declared racist because of his Zionist affiliation and the accuser was sent out of the room by one of his comrades.
If any political issues are going to be seriously considered, personal attacks need to be left behind. We have far surpassed the days when it was appropriate to challenge opponents to a duel when in disagreement, and personal attacks on character and empty analogies do nothing to better the human condition in America.
Take for example Rep. Alan Grayson D-Fla., who presented the “Republican Health Care Plan” on C-SPAN as a two-part process: don’t get sick, and if you do, die quickly.
This type of behavior and antagonistic rhetoric does not add anything to the overall health care debate. Neither party gains from these childish gimmicks and the American populace should be offended that the politicians they elected into office are wasting their time with such juvenile garbage.
As it was pointed out on a comment to another columnists’ work; personal attacks seem like the only way to get things done when it comes to political debate. But this should not be a standard that we as college students lower ourselves to; rather, we should fight the problems that are clearly inherent in the system.
It is the young political science majors of today that will be walking in the ranks of celebrated politicians tomorrow. We are as an educational institution forming tomorrow’s mavericks, lions and honest Abe’s. If the change does not begin with us, who can we rely on to fix this system?
Perhaps President Ronald Reagan was wrong when he called us a “City on a Hill.” But that does not mean we should abandon the vision of one day sitting on this metaphorical hill, a hill that includes equality in its truest form, a working and profitable economic system, and the creation of a worthy example for all other nations to aspire to.
Instead of engaging in infantile squabbles, Marshall’s students should be using these debates as valuable practice for their political futures. Let’s be the change we hope to create and stop imitating the disgrace found on the floor of the House of Representatives.
As Robin Williams said in the movie Man of the Year: “Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reason.” It’s time to clean the mess up and stop spreading crap around campus.

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4 comments

Kole Shannon

Wed Oct 21 2009 09:21

What does that even mean? Are you now saying that you can call me a racist and a libertarian and therefore you can put your fingers in your ears and shout really loud so you can't hear me?

Your name

Fri Oct 16 2009 13:02

That second comment coming from a member of the Libertarian party. I'm sure you're keeping your feelings aside here.

Kole Shannon

Wed Oct 14 2009 22:53

Speaking of being educated, please try to read your post before clicking submit. There are several obvious errors that a high school drop-out could pick out.

Furthermore, it's absolutely preposterous that anyone should be called a racist for disagreeing with a black man. I think President Obama is a lying, cheating, good-for-nothing sociopath who will never accomplish anything worthwhile in his long and miserable life. You say, "Good heavens! That man is a racist!". BUT, I also think that former President Bush is a lying, cheating, good-for-nothing sociopath who will never accomplish anything worthwhile in his long and miserable life. Then you say, "Oh, I concur my good sir." Do you see the contradiction?

Democrats need to stop pretending that pulling the race card is a viable alternative to intelligent debate.

Your name

Wed Oct 14 2009 16:58

Whatever happened to this paper. As a former staff member, it's appalling to see what it has become. First, without sparing names or details, a column ran last year about how Christians were mistreated by the world and now this.

The person in question, who were called racists supposedly, actually stated that racism isn't a issue in our society today. The Democrat in question, is the West Virginia State Young Democrat Minority Caucus Chairman. A man who dedicates his time to helping minorities should be disgusted by a person, of as you argue as "educated" status, saying racism isn't an issue. The Republican added something along the lines of there are clubs and organizations that prove racism isn't an issue. Educated indeed.

Obviously you wrote this piece from your personal viewpoint and your stances on politics. Which is more than fine in an opinion piece, but at the same time, you insult a man's work and passion, he'll probably be heated. His outburst may not be in debate form, but I'd like to see anyone handle the issue better.

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