REPORT FROM THE YOUNG AMERICANS FOR LIBERTY – The University of Hawaii at Manoa chapters of the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) and Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, together with the Politically Active Student Alliance (PASA) co-hosted a mock election this Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa Campus Center.
A public oral count and tally revealed that incumbent democratic candidate Barack Obama won the election, garnering 60.4% of the total vote. Unlike national polls, however, which showcase republican candidate Mitt Romney nearly neck and neck with Obama, the result of the UH election revealed Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson as the runner up. Johnson secured about twice the amount of votes over Romney, besting the former Massachusetts governor 19.8% to 10.9%. The only female candidate on the State of Hawaii presidential ballot, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, finished fourth with 7.9% of the total vote.
When asked about what impression these results give about the mindset of college aged voters in Hawaii, Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) secretary Sean Mitsui had this to say: “Most people understand politics to be between two parties, democrats or republicans, but these results suggest that when given the chance many voters judge for themselves to make decisions in support of a candidate closer to their own beliefs.” Supporting Mitsui’s assertion, the combined total for both third party candidates, Johnson and Stein, was 27.7%, more than a quarter of total votes cast.
Voter Andrew Kim, a sophomore at UH Manoa, voted for Gary Johnson: “I had no idea that other candidates even existed. All you ever hear about is Obama or Romney. After reading a little more about Johnson’s positions on the big issues, I found myself more personally aligned with Johnson.”
The event was the first campus event outside of regular club meetings for each of the organizations. The groups set up a number of tables in the UH Manoa campus center complete with an actual voting booth borrowed from the State Office of Elections, ballots mimicking the official state ballot, and an informative poster outlining the various candidates’ position on a variety of issues. “I’m really happy with the turnout today, especially for a first event. I am definitely looking forward to being a part of future events,” said YAL President Brenden Burk.
Young Americans for Liberty, Pi Sigma Alpha, and the Politically Active Student Alliance are all non-partisan registered independent organizations at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Membership is open to students of all political backgrounds, and students are encouraged to become actively involved. “The real essence of organizations like ours is awareness and civic engagement,” said Burk “politics shouldn’t be monopolized by just two parties, my vote is about more than a symbolic color scheme.”
Years ago a prominent Russian stated "we will defeat America, but we will not do it militarily, we will corrupt their children". Well, all throughout America, and here on this campus is proof of "mission accomplished". The fact that even 10% of this country is willing to vote for a guy (a second time!) whom is, simply and accurately put…an America hating, Constitution hating, arrogant, lying Socio-Marxist little punk is all you need to know. Go ahead and get mad, make some angry comments at me if you like, but remember you read it here…America is over. These students and a huge percentage of this country have been totally indoctrinated and effectively duped. You are not supporting a Democrat in any way, shape or form. Yes, Obama was honest to you all in one instance.. his promise to "fundamentally change" America. Yes, you duped souls, get ready for a change to a European style system in a combination of Socialism and Marxism and the eventual loss of America and your freedoms.
Well, I'll try and continue this post, but I seriously doubt any of it will see print. So… Obama and his ilk win, whether or not he wins the election. The economy is going to collapse soon, regardless of who gets the job, it is too far in the tank to recover anytime soon (if ever). So…if Obama wins (which I do believe he will), the economy will collapse and he will blame Bush…and duped Americans will believe him. If Romney wins, the economy will collapse and Obama will blame Bush AND Romney…and duped Americans will believe him. Yep, a no lose situation for Obama and the duped. But sadly, a complete loss for the country as a whole. We are now on the brink of collapse, morally and fianacially….and whether we do or not is in your hands…for this really is an historic election. You will now decide if we remain America, or become another wasteland in the history of the world.
Well, now I'll just reply to myself. How funny, the site posted the second part of my comment but skipped the first. What a surprise…right!
Mike, Not sure what you are talking about. No one blocked your post. We don't do that unless there is profanity or something libelous or threatening. Try to resubmit.
The Liberty movement is alive on UH Manoa campus! More and more youth are waking up to the ideals of limiting government intervention, and maximizing civil liberties. The doom and gloom future that you speak of is not the sole blame of any individual. Bush, Romney, Obama, makes no difference. But no matter the forecast of the US in the near future, it is OUR mess to clean up, and YAL at UH Manoa does not share the same defeatist attitude. We are smart, young, and active, and we intend to make a difference, from bottom up if necessary.
By and large it is evident that either Obama or Romney will lead the executive for the next four years, much to the dismay of more liberty minded voters. However; as Nic mentioned above acceptance and expectation of defeat, is akin to admission of defeat. Awareness of civic engagement, of alternative candidates, of the actualities of our constitutional foundation, and our personal liberties is growing. Increasingly people, particularly younger people, are deciding not to settle for the status quo and look beyond the face value of "politics as usual."
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