TO THE EDITOR:
When registering to vote as a UNC undergrad nearly four decades ago, I did not know the difference between Democrat and Republican. Since then, I have learned an even more important political fact: well-informed voting is critical to the future of our nation. If you vote for someone purely on name recognition, that is irresponsible. If you choose a candidate purely based on biased information, either for or against them, that is narrow-minded and possibly bigoted. The most reliable test for choosing a candidate is to: (1) Hear the candidate express their values in their own words, (2) Listen for consistency (or lack thereof) in their message, (3) Know the values and record of those who support him as well as those who disavow him, (4) Compare the trajectory of your candidate to similar historical characters, knowing that “He who does not know history is doomed to repeat it!”
Politics is a nasty business, manipulating our minds and emotions. Students, I challenge you to test your allegiances. Don’t be seduced by freebies or nonspecific promises. Remember: “Freedom is not free,” and “The problem with socialism is that, eventually, you run out of other people’s money.” Before casting your vote, I challenge you to give ear to the consistently conservative candidates. You may be surprised to find that the candidate you “fear” could very well be the one who secures the path for your prosperous future, and the one you “trust” will destroy your dreams. Please vote wisely and well-informed.
Kathy Arab
Class of ’81
