Democrats’ loss should inspire, not deter, goals

In the past week, many of us have been angry, confused,
frustrated and sad. Many people have asked our club how this could
have happened and wondered when the pain will stop. The re-election
of President Bush has been very difficult for many on this campus,
from the casual observer of politics to the large number of people
in the UCLA community who have been working for the past days,
weeks, months or years.

This election marked the first time that many of us
phone-banked, canvassed, organized rallies, traveled around the
country, and tabled for hours on end for a candidate.

Advocating a cause is an investment in time, resources and
emotion. Although we try to console ourselves knowing that Sen.
Barbara Boxer was re-elected and some good propositions passed, I
know this has been a long journey with a destination we
didn’t want.

As our grieving subsides, many of us will have one question on
our mind: What now?

The work of all Democrats does not end with election results.
Our cause is more difficult but more necessary than ever. It is
important for us to stay aware of the issues.

As the executive and legislative branches are under the control
of the Republican Party and the judiciary branch could soon be
next, it is vital for the public to be the check and balance on our
national government.

It is most important that we all stay involved. After the
heartbreak many of us endured last week, we may be tempted to never
put ourselves through something like that again. Politics can be
discouraging. However, what we do after the election, win or loss,
is the true test of our commitment to make the world better.

The Democratic Party is in disarray after three consecutive
national election defeats. The time has come for the Democrats to
rebuild and it is up to our generation to provide the vision.

There are many different ways to stay involved. Whether you
prefer electoral politics or grass roots activism, domestic or
foreign issues, national or local government, there is a place for
you to stay active.

Our campus provides hundreds of clubs to find a niche, and many
local organizations offer diverse opportunities. We need to take
the interest this election has sparked and the experience we have
gained to work as fiercely for other issues as we did for this
election. Elections may come and go, but there will always be
problems that need to be addressed. By continuing our work now, we
will influence decisions that are made daily and be prepared for
upcoming elections.

People are always quick to criticize the youth for being
apathetic and not being involved in politics. Then when many of us
do decide to become involved, we are told we are too naive.

We are told we will eventually grow out of our liberal ideology.
However, our idealism coupled with our intelligence, energy, hard
work and desire for a better tomorrow is what our country needs
more than ever right now.

Doan is the president of the Bruin Democrats. She is a
third-year political science student.