EDITORIAL: "A Personal Mandate"

On Tuesday, analysts sayOn Tuesday, analysts sayvoters demanded change.On Tuesday, analysts sayvoters demanded change.But you don't need to beOn Tuesday, analysts sayvoters demanded change.But you don't need to beelected to create change.On Tuesday, analysts sayvoters demanded change.But you don't need to beelected to create change.___________________________ After writing and reporting on dozens of candidates for the better part of a year, polling hundreds of students on their opinions and enduring the endless rhetoric and mudslinging of a campaign year, our enthusiasm waned somewhat. For some of us, the whole election process began to wear thin by the May primaries -- and a long time before November 3. But this week, something happened to reawaken our enthusiasm. Students on campus helped us rediscover the importance of the whole "campaign circus." We were stunned by the voter turnout Tuesday, both on campus and across the country. We were impressed by how the election became the major topic of conversation in classes and in dining halls. We laughed along as people debated what they would wear Wednesday if their candidate lost. Some people even implied that they would lock themselves in their rooms and mourn. This depth of feeling and commitment are laudable. We're glad to discover that rumors of its death had been greatly exaggerated, much as we were two weeks ago when thousands turned out for the "Vote for a Change" rally on College Green. Tuesday's vote has been labeled "a mandate for change" by both the Clinton campaign and media pundits. If that was your reason for voting, we hope the next four years live up to your expectations. But here's a tip: If you want a job done, do it yourself. You can make a bigger difference within your immediate surroundings than any elected official. Take Tuesday's energy and enthusiasm and devote it to another, equally worthy cause. Volunteer. Contribute. Make a change now, rather than waiting for someone in Washington to do it. Act locally. In his concession speech, President George Bush urged Americans to not be "deterred from public service because of the smoke and fire of a campaign year or the ugliness of politics." He urged young people to hold on to their "idealism, drive and conviction." That's good advice -- that we shouldn't wait four more years to follow.