I did not fight for ASUA

I'm writing in response to Jason Kissen's letter faulting the apathy of the student body toward ASUA. Kissen makes the outrageous claim that those of us who did not vote could 'care less about having a democracy that our soldiers fought so hard to give us.'

What? As a former petty officer in the United States Navy who was active during the Gulf War, I can assure you that no soldiers were ever sent to fight over our right to elect a student government at this university. There is a tremendous difference between ASUA and the federal government.

Sure, there are similarities - ASUA condemns cartoons and tries to impeach officers and the federal government condemns Teletubbies and tries to impeach presidents - but the federal government is a legitimate institution with the capacity to pass and enforce legislation. They actually do something. What has ASUA done? Do you honestly think they represent you? When was the last time an ASUA officer contacted you and asked your opinion about an issue? I've been here four years and they've never asked for my input.

Perhaps it is the Wildcat's coverage which trivializes ASUA, focusing on the ludicrous rather than what they've accomplished, but I doubt it.

If ASUA can write a letter to the Wildcat condemning a cartoon, they can just as easily write a letter telling us they've eliminated parking problems, got students decent tickets to basketball games, balanced the budget, found the cure for cancer, or whatever.

And, furthermore, when this years batch of (paid) officials accomplishes nothing more than writing a letter condemning this letter, don't complain. After all, you are the one who voted for them.

Craig Lowden
Russian studies senior