University should espouse correct politics

Nabati is a third-year political science student.

By Benjamin Nabati

Cody Cass’s article buttressing liberal views and
demolishing Republican morality is completely misguided
(“Conservative leaders misappropriate Christian
values,” Daily Bruin, Viewpoint, Nov. 16). I do not defend
the Republican party in any way. I do not affiliate myself with
either major party. But I do have a big problem the moment he
begins to attack one body of ideas to replace it with his own.
Albeit, this problem has persisted for a long time.

I think we need to move away from such a partisan predilection
and not bicker over who is wrong, but concentrate more on
who’s right. What has partisanship done for this nation? It
has made candidates on all levels of public service beholden to
their respective parties’ wishes with no regard for local
concerns.

We are increasingly electing parties in our elections, and the
candidates are no more than puppets of their cohorts’ narrow
visions without any regard for the larger picture. American
individualism should touch politics in this country ““ we
should be electing particular candidates based on what they stand
for and what they will achieve for us in the future.

Both sides have unattractive intricacies, contradictions and
insurmountable flaws. I don’t believe in the conservative or
the liberal way of doing a job ““ there is only the right way.
The very idea that one preordained lineage of thought will solve
the complex and diverse problems that surround us is a delusional
prospect that warrants clinical attention. We live in an incredibly
unformulated society ““ each case should be considered based
on its own merits without any exterior bias whatsoever, or it shall
fall flat on its face as a non-issue.

Last election year, I was the campaign manager for David
Ehrenberg. He ran on the virtues of unity, progress and
accountability. I capitalize these virtues just as I would the
timeless gems “providence” and “justice,”
because these items are equally rare and proportionately valued in
public service. On-campus politics is no exception.

Here at UCLA, we need change. These are different times we live
in, in our nation and on our campus. UCLA is the fertile ground of
thought, and we need a representative of the people, a servant of
the people. We need someone who will incite the voices of all, no
matter if they agree with them or not, for the value that they
hold.

For instance, we must have campus-wide rallies that show support
for President George W. Bush. Now, now, I realize he doesn’t
carry much favor here on campus. And that’s a good thing
““ dissent is necessary in any democracy as the anti-war
teach-ins do attest and symbolize. I am not finding enough people,
however, who support the war being active enough or even
represented at these bellicose anti-war meetings. Unanimity in any
forum for debate is useless and just a waste of time.

In addition, the media here on campus must become a bit more
responsible. As a student myself, I am to some extent influenced by
on-campus media outlets such as the Daily Bruin. On Nov. 16, the
Daily Bruin Arts & Entertainment section printed a message
advocating the freedom of Palestine. This is a very subjective
viewpoint, and such a comment should be restricted to the Viewpoint
section, and even there it would be suspect to controversy. I would
urge the paper to do a better job of encapsulating the diversity
that is our campus a bit less subjectively and a bit more
thoroughly ““ otherwise it loses that tinge of progress we so
desperately need.

I would like to make it clear that I don’t spurn at
liberals. I don’t spurn at conservatives either. I spurn at
those that promise and promise away and don’t deliver. I
spurn at those that make irresponsible decisions and are unwilling
to be held accountable for their actions.