Most people didn’t even care about the 6th District race for Congress until Edwin Edwards controversially entered the race. Soon thereafter, people started pretending they had passionate opinions about politics because there was something juicy to talk about. People were racing to get in the paper, be acknowledged and attract attention. Why don’t we try to get a clear and consistent understanding of what’s really important? Why are students so widely uninformed about the issues that affect them on a regular basis? It isn’t intelligent to be a young, hopeful individual if you wait for something as important as the race for your next representative to gain national attention before you start caring about the outcome.
Many people have been saying that the most important candidates in the race for the 6th District are Democrat Edwin Edwards and Republicans Paul Dietzel and Dan Claitor. Obviously, Edwards will get the Democratic vote because, unfortunately, some people would vote for a rock if their party symbol were painted on it. As expected, the race is seemingly a toss-up for the Republican vote. Dan Claitor is your everyday, 50-something, lawyer. Paul Dietzel is a 28-year-old, passionate businessman. Articles in this very newspaper have mentioned that Paul Dietzel is too young to win the race. Evidently focusing on providing a better future for the next generations in America must not be good enough for a spot in Congress? This is a troubling realization.
Since many of the people that read this publication are, in fact, young college students, it is extremely senseless to downplay the importance of giving the next generation representation in Congress. In fact, it should also be important for wise, older Louisianans to make sure their successors can be represented in Washington D.C. Why are young, student writers so quick to dismiss their own voices? Students should be fighting for their young, fresh viewpoints to be represented in the United States of America. A certain amount of passion is desperately needed from young individuals. The youth can’t just sit down and accept what they think is true. Your lives are being changed by the people in Washington, and it’s time you think about getting some representation of your own up there.
The median age of American citizens is 36.8 years, but the average age of the 113th Congress, is 57 years. Young people just sit here submissively, and refuse to be heard. Not only does Paul want to give the next generation equal representation, he is extremely vehement about it. He announced his participation in the race for Congress ambitiously early in May 2013. Claitor only officially announced his participation in the race slightly more than three months ago. It seems as though it was easier for Paul to dedicate himself to the state of Louisiana than it was for Claitor. Paul Dietzel is dead-set on working on behalf of everybody, not only the people that put money in his pocket. He has around 50 passionate interns that are students at LSU who volunteer their time to make a change happen in this country. That’s the kind of attitude and determination this country needs. If you aren’t working toward a positive change, what are you working for?
Jacklin McCroskey
Dietzel campaign intern
Economics sophomore