Opinion

This weekend there are a wealth of activities; homecoming enhances and exposes our Mennonite sense of community by bringing us together in a festivity of food, sports and the arts.

First: The election of the next president of the United States is NOT A GAME! As such, there can be no “game changers” in the campaign. The likening of the presidential election to a game signifies a lack of ability (or willingness) on the part of us, the American people, to think critically about the issues currently facing our country and the world.

Over the course of the last eight years, the leaders of the US government have waged several imperial wars, tortured, spied on us, and have assisted in corporate robbery. In the past week, the worst act of class warfare in US history was committed against both you and me. As these evils continue to happen, the hope that many of us have is that things will change come November. Many believe that democracy will have the final say and a new face in office will set things straight. All we have to do is vote, right?

“Without an informed public the democracy ceases to exist!” bellows Michael Moore from under his red baseball cap to a crowd of thousands of cheering fans. “Slacker’s Uprising” is Moore’s most recently released documentary, focusing on the campaign he went on to rile up Americans to vote in the 2004 election between John Kerry and George W. Bush. In this feature length film, Moore embarks on a 62 city tour in 14 battleground states to play a hand in the swaying of people’s opinions in the approaching election.

It is the time for debates; debates between presidential candidates and vice-presidential candidates, along with soda, pizza, registration forms, and ballots. We have to make a choice between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. The election is not the only thing happening; there is a war against terrorism. People are angry, fearful, and apprehensive. Also, the economic status of America, the rise of gas prices, and the deterioration of the financial markets are factors.