The Griffon News

After his Uncle Ben was killed by a desperate criminal that Peter Parker could have previously stopped by using his newfound spider powers, he came up with a mantra to guide his life. With great power comes great responsibility. That lesson blazed its words into the American comic book scene in 1962. Since then they have led Spiderman through more comic book series that you can shoot a web at and three hugely grossing movies. With power comes great responsibility. This has proven itself a universal truth.

Flip the sentence around and the truth still stands. Perhaps more truly considering this weeks coming elections.

With great responsibility comes great power.

Every thinking and learning student  here at Missouri Western State University, or anywhere else for that matter, should consider it their responsibility to be active on the nations political process. As a student you are shaping yourselves for the future ahead and in doing so you are shaping the future ahead itself. In responsibility to that very future you should be voting. Voting will give you the power to help sculpt the world of tomorrow with the deft hands of an artist. By the act of attending a university you are offering a presentation to the world that says “I am a part of the future” but simply saying it does nothing, you have to act on your convictions. You have to vote.

It’s not like there is not a glutton of information you can refer to about the candidates. It is not like there is not a wide choice of people to fill the role. It is not like there are not any major issues that are on the line, only health care insurance, energy addiction, and any other number of affairs. Not to mention that we are still a country at war. No, there are certainly a number of reasons that one should vote and a lack of acting on those reasons can only be construed to be acts of laziness or stupidity.

Since you are all college students, it can be assumed that you are neither lazy nor stupid. Thus it is your responsibility to vote.

If you are a Democrat then you can vote in the primary on Super Tuesday and you can ensure that American has a shot at seeing either an African American or a woman in the White House. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to tell your grandchildren that you voted for the first woman president? Or the first Black president?

If you can make a difference with your vote then the responsibility falls even more squarely on your shoulders. The culture of our nation could be forever forged in a new direction because of your vote. You are a student and you are the future. It is your responsibility to vote

Remember though, with great responsibility comes great power. Use that power wisely.