EDITORIAL: Sound bites and sterility

With a week untilWith a week untilElection Day, take theWith a week untilElection Day, take theinitiative to learnWith a week untilElection Day, take theinitiative to learnwhat Clinton andWith a week untilElection Day, take theinitiative to learnwhat Clinton andDole haven't told you. Both candidates, for example, have made a point of discussing campaign finance reform, but they have been equally guilty of violating existing laws and accepting loads of soft money from political action committees. Clinton and Dole have talked creatively around the issues that matter to our generation -- the economy (reforming the tax system), entitlement programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security (which caused so much debate that they contributed to the government shutdown in January), education (who pays for it) and the purpose of government in America. The three debates didn't generate informed discourse. The stump speeches -- including Clinton's on campus today, and Perot's on campus tomorrow -- likely won't hold anything other than sound bites. But that doesn't relieve you of your responsibilities as an American citizen. With a week remaining until Election Day, take the initiative. Look up the candidates' homepages on the World Wide Web, at "http://www.cg96.org", "http://www.dolekemp96.org" and "http://www.perot.org". Read the DP's World page, The New York Times or The Philadelphia Inquirer. Watch the evening news a couple of times. Voting is a privilege and a right -- and it would be foolish to think your vote doesn't count this year.