2008 Woodie Awards
Depressing depictions of current events highlight need for change in an election year
Christina Berube
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Soap Box
Before coming to the University of Maine, I never followed the news, gas prices, politics or anything having to do with current events too closely. I only knew about issues that I heard my parents or teachers speak about, but I never cared too much about any of it. Now that my first year as a political science major is ending, I can say that I have been following the news a lot more closely and I only feel more depressed and hopeless because of it.
Thanks to the Collegiate Readership Program, I have been able to pick up a copy of the Bangor Daily News free every morning before leaving Cumberland Hall for class. Each time I open the newspaper I am filled with despair. All I ever seem to read about is soaring gas, food and clothing prices, global climate issues and how just about everyone - including doctors, bankers and lawyers - are going broke. It constantly makes me wonder what kind of world we are creating.
I can't remember the last time I was able to completely fill the gas tank in my Toyota Camry. I am constantly wondering how people are able to survive on our state's minimum wage of $7.00 an hour. I remember growing up and never having to worry about these things. My parents always seemed financially stable, but now with the way the economy is, I worry about how my tuition will be paid and I can't help but feel a strong sense of guilt when I ask them for help with money. Reading the newspaper has been a huge wake-up call. I notice the prices of groceries and gas more than I used to.
To me, our country could not seem more hopeless. I am struggling to choose a presidential candidate whom I trust to help turn our country around. I fear that another Republican president will want to carry on the war which could lead us deeper into this mess, or if I chose a Democratic candidate taxes will rise and money will continue to be anywhere other but my wallet. To me, choosing a president is more than what political party they belong to, but what they actually plan on doing for our country and in this election, the stakes are high. Whoever wins the election has a lot to change.
With our country possibly heading into a recession, I think it is important to rethink the way many of us are living our lives. I will continue to read the newspaper in hopes that one day I will not be discouraged by what I am reading. I hope that one day our country will be able to thrive like it once did. In the meantime, I might invest in a bicycle.
Christina Berube is a first-year political science major.
Thanks to the Collegiate Readership Program, I have been able to pick up a copy of the Bangor Daily News free every morning before leaving Cumberland Hall for class. Each time I open the newspaper I am filled with despair. All I ever seem to read about is soaring gas, food and clothing prices, global climate issues and how just about everyone - including doctors, bankers and lawyers - are going broke. It constantly makes me wonder what kind of world we are creating.
I can't remember the last time I was able to completely fill the gas tank in my Toyota Camry. I am constantly wondering how people are able to survive on our state's minimum wage of $7.00 an hour. I remember growing up and never having to worry about these things. My parents always seemed financially stable, but now with the way the economy is, I worry about how my tuition will be paid and I can't help but feel a strong sense of guilt when I ask them for help with money. Reading the newspaper has been a huge wake-up call. I notice the prices of groceries and gas more than I used to.
To me, our country could not seem more hopeless. I am struggling to choose a presidential candidate whom I trust to help turn our country around. I fear that another Republican president will want to carry on the war which could lead us deeper into this mess, or if I chose a Democratic candidate taxes will rise and money will continue to be anywhere other but my wallet. To me, choosing a president is more than what political party they belong to, but what they actually plan on doing for our country and in this election, the stakes are high. Whoever wins the election has a lot to change.
With our country possibly heading into a recession, I think it is important to rethink the way many of us are living our lives. I will continue to read the newspaper in hopes that one day I will not be discouraged by what I am reading. I hope that one day our country will be able to thrive like it once did. In the meantime, I might invest in a bicycle.
Christina Berube is a first-year political science major.
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