Adi and I are both sophomores, I am majoring in Public Administration and Public Policy. Aditya is majoring in Environmental Science

Aditya and Ryan are both sophomores. Ryan is majoring in public administration and public policy. Aditya is majoring in environmental science.

“Yes we can.” These words may just have been one of a series of turning points in American history. This slogan of the Obama presidential campaign inspired a broad spark in our political and social discourse, and has left lingering questions for our generation — “What is the role and scope of government in our time?” “What issue will define the triumphs and struggles of our age?” And more often than not, “Can anyone do anything to make things better?” In President Obama’s words, “Yes we can.”

 

Who We Are

Our names are Aditya Tiwari and Ryan Fox. Both of us are politically-minded students. Beyond that, we are concerned citizens. We we are concerned because we continue to make our earth more and more uninhabitable for our grandchildren, and their children after them. Because our politicians shame the American working class for needing assistance. 

Because these same politicians have their reelection campaigns funded by large, corporate interests. Because women still make less money than men for the same work,  because African Americans still have to fight for the same common decency and safety the rest of us take for granted, and because members of the LGBT community are not protected by the law like other Americans.

 

The Fourth Branch

If you haven’t already noticed, yes this article is about politics, and yes we are liberals. Unlike other articles, we aren’t going to delve into objective, balanced coverages of controversies as they come along. What we want to do is inspire you through our commentary to take charge and not only develop an interest in political involvement, but introduce you to a shared belief that there aren’t just three branches of government but four. That fourth branch of government consists of all of us, the American people, to whom our government is accountable to. Our goal is to inspire you to do what you have always had the right to do, to demand the fair and just society that is inherently promised to us as citizens of this country. Whether that be through letters to the editor, working on campaigns, or most importantly: through voting.

Your right to vote is perhaps the most powerful, and most sacred, tool you have when it comes to fulfilling your civic duties and exercising your civil rights. Non-white men had to wait for this right until 1870, and even still, women could not vote until 1920.

These rights weren’t even close to being ensured and protected until 1965, with the Voting Rights Act, and with some of the provisions of that law recently being struck down, we have essentially devalued that right.

 

It Does Matter

Without your vote, how else do you expect your voice to be heard? Your issues not to be silenced? The false statement that “Your vote doesn’t matter” isn’t one meant to inspire realism or maturity, but one meant to stop change. In 2008, enough people cared enough to elect our first black president. In our most recent ballot initiative, voters protected endangered wolves. Before the recent supreme court decision, same-sex marriage was legalized by voters who cared.

Yet even then, it is still not enough to just vote. You have to vote intelligently, and you need to vote with purpose. Other sources are trying to divide, provoke, and encourage people to give up on politics.

 

Our Promise

Rather than trying to dissuade you, we will persuade you. We will inspire courage rather than fear, and wisdom rather than ignorance. We aim to provide real solutions. We want to give you The Real Deal, and give you hope again.