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Ali speaks on Independent Movement

By Charlotte Hsu

Nov. 17, 2002 9:00 p.m.

Touring professor Omar Ali spoke to students at Franz Hall
Thursday night about reforming the current political system to
include the voices of ordinary citizens and about the importance of
participating in politics.

Two students attended and were given a chance to meet and speak
personally with Ali.

Ali is a member of the Independent Movement and is currently the
director of research for the Committee for a Unified Independent
Party. His visit to UCLA was part of a nationwide tour which began
in September and will end in early December.

Jenny Lam, general representative for the Undergraduate Students
Association Council, invited Ali to speak because she wanted to
bring a new perspective to campus.

“I think that oftentimes we always hear about Republicans
and Democrats. To bring something new to campus … is a good
experience for students,” Lam said.

Ali’s speech focused on the Independent Movement, a
movement which he says is geared toward reforming the political
system of the United States to give ordinary people a real voice in
the nation’s decisionmaking.

“Political process is the most important thing to focus
on. It doesn’t matter how many great ideas you might have if
people aren’t represented,” Ali said.

Ali said the partisan politics that have emerged in the United
States leave little room for people to be independent of the
Republican and Democratic parties and have a say in the political
system.

“We have the second lowest voter turnout in the Western
Democracies,” Ali said. “The issue is people
don’t feel that there’s a way to meaningfully impact
the political process and decision-making.”

To correct what he perceived to be the problems with the United
States’ democracy, Ali suggested giving people more choices
and more opportunities to have a voice in government.

One suggestion Ali presented was a measure to allow voters to
register on election day ““ the idea behind Proposition 52,
which was rejected on Nov. 5 by California voters.

Speaking of the possibility of war with Iraq, Ali said,
“I’m insulted that the congressmen and congresswomen
didn’t come into communities and ask “˜should we launch
into war?'”

He said the possibility of war has been widely publicized as a
surge to protect democracy, ignoring the economic implications of
war with a region rich in oil production.

Ali said the problem with this is people do not have enough of a
choice when it comes to candidates.

Speaking of the Independent Movement, Ali said a growing
percentage of Americans are beginning to identify themselves as
Independent.

He said people are aware of problems within the United
States’ political system, and ordinary people feel
ignored.

“A country as wealthy as ours shouldn’t allow the
poverty we have to exist “¦ we don’t have universal
healthcare. There are basic problems in this country that get
covered over by the politicians,” Ali said.

Erin Katz, a third-year history student who attended the event,
echoed some of Ali’s views.

“(They) want accountability out of the candidates and
that’s kind of something we don’t have right now in
politics,” Katz said, speaking of the Independence
Movement.

Ali teaches U.S. and world history at Fordham University in New
York City and said he is especially invested in his efforts to
involve young people in the political process.

Ali said young people are least invested in the status quo, and
are therefore more willing to pursue the changes in the political
system that would allow ordinary people’s voice to be
heard.

“There is some dialogue and debate in this country,”
Ali said. “We live in a form of democracy, but the question
is, how much of a democracy is it? How can we improve?”

Lam said although she was disappointed by the turnout to hear
Ali speak, the event was still worthwhile.

“I wish more people would have come, but at least
(Ali’s) reaching out. That’s more important than
anything,” Lam said.

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Charlotte Hsu
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