By ALISTAIR GRAHAMWhile giving out candy at the homecoming parade has long provided candidates with a safe and legal venue for providing each of their constituents with oral pleasure, it has also served as a public forum for personal interaction within the community.
In an age in which many political representatives interact only with donors, lobbyists, and PR firms, it is important that we have representatives who are part of the community at large. It is important that both representatives and constituents can recognize each other by both face and name.
When a community issue arises that affects me, I would like to know the people I need to contact, and hope that they already know me. This applies not only to voters, but also to those members of our community (students included) who are affected by governance and have a voice only through representation.
In a democracy, the people are the government, and to deny access to candidates and representatives is a disservice to the community.
Let the politicians join in our community celebration, and do not deny the students and constituents a lesson in civics.
