The Current Online

by Jetta Barbar

For first-time voters who want to vote in this year’s presidential election, voting can be as confusing as a giraffe in a space suit.  But have no fear — the Current is here to help readers through the process of voting.

Before voting, you need to register to vote.  This is so the government can ensure that potential voters are state residents, at least 18 years of age, and citizens of the U.S.

If you live in Missouri and wants to register to vote, simply go to www.sos.mo.gov/registertovote, and print and fill out the voter registration form.  After you’ve filled out this form, which asks for information such as name, date of birth, and social security number, you need to mail it to your local election authority.

First-time voters need to include a copy of an acceptable form of personal identification along with your registration – your Longview student ID will qualify, as will a driver’s license or utility bill.

For first-time voters who want to vote in this year’s presidential election, voting can be as confusing as a giraffe in a space suit.  But have no fear — The Current is here to help readers through the process of voting.

Before voting, you need to register to vote.  This is so the government can ensure that potential voters are state residents, at least 18 years of age, and citizens of the U.S.

If you live in Missouri and wants to register to vote, simply go to www.sos.mo.gov/registertovote, and print and fill out the voter registration form.  After you’ve filled out this form, which asks for information such as name, date of birth, and social security number, you need to mail it to your local election authority.

First-time voters need to include a copy of an acceptable form of personal identification along with your registration – your Longview student ID will qualify, as will a driver’s license or utility bill.

To find out where to mail your voter registration forms go to www.sos.mo.gov/elections/countyclerks.asp, and select your county.  The address for Jackson County is 215 N. Liberty St., PO Box 296, Independence, MO 64051.

You should then receive confirmation of voter registration within seven days.  All voter registrations must be received at least four weeks before the election date.  This means that time is running out for potential first-time voters or those who have recently moved.

After you’ve completed the necessary paperwork, it’s time to get even more involved in democracy.  On Election Day, go to your assigned polling location.  To find out where in the world that is, go to http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterlookup/and enter the information requested.  The website will tell you where to go.

Polling locations are open 6 a.m. and remain open until 7  p.m. on Election Day – which by the way is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Once at the location, you’ll need to present an acceptable form of identification to vote.  This includes a Passport, driver’s license, student ID from a Missouri school, or a utility bill.  After that, you’re ready to rock the vote.

So get out there and get the ball rolling.  It’s really as easy as a few clicks to get registered and vote.  And after all, isn’t that what democracy is all about?

by Rick Wirt

Our livelihood, liberty, and national identity may be in jeopardy if we don’t act soon. This is the warning of two-time presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (TX-14) in his latest book, “End the Fed.” Paul cites the inflationary actions of the Federal Reserve Bank as the source for our present economic recession and predicts things are going to get much worse. [...]

by Danielle Fulmer

Photo: Tannen Maury/MCT Campus

Not only is the Presidential Inauguration one of this year’s biggest events, it’s also one of the fashion world’s best friends. All the fashion designers who had created a dress for the incoming First Lady held their breath on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 as they waiting for the arrival of the soon-to-be first family.

All through the presidential campaign, Michelle Obama made fashion news with her impressive, impeccable style, so when she stepped out of the presidential limousine and the world got its first look at the lemongrass dress with the jeweled neckline created by the not-so-well-known Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo, opinions were instantly formed. Although many different thoughts about the outfit were expressed, Toledo received respectable praise.  [...]

by Michael Bartlett

Rapper Jay-Z attends the inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial (Zbigniew Bzdak/MCT Campus).

It kills me to say this, but it is a good thing that Barack Obama is now the president of the United States, as opposed to John McCain, for a few reasons.

Obama was not my candidate; McCain was. I felt McCain was more bipartisan, experienced and grounded than Obama, as I still do. But McCain couldn’t do what Obama is doing, which, at the risk of sounding clichéd, is inspiring hope.  [...]

by Bryan Gentry

The Obamas at the Lincoln Memorial for the Inauguration Celebration, Sunday, January 18, 2009 (Chuck Liddy/MCT Campus).

With the inauguration of Barack Obama our nation is brutally divided. A small majority of our nation view him as a possible answer to our problems, and a large minority see him as just your “typical liberal.” Within each of these building factions, we have extreme polarization taking place.

The problem lies in the fact that these polarizations dominate political conversations. Martin Luther King, Jr. alluded to what Barack Obama may represent and what our union currently looks like decades ago when he said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” What King said must be understood in the context in which he used them, but we can also find a message for today within them.  [...]