Barack Obama visited Tempe for the second time this year, this time for a rally outside Tempe City Hall to promote Democratic candidates and the need for change this election cycle.
Obama spoke on many issues in the direction of change, such as education, health care and Iraq, to name a few. All of these issues highlight why the upcoming election is critical to the future of our country.
This need for change has become even more severe in light of recent events. The Mark Foley scandal sent out waves when the Republican congressman from Florida resigned in September after serving since 1995.
This came as a result of the representative's alleged acts of indiscretion with male pages in Congress, possibly dating back 10 years.
On the global scene, there seems to be more to deal with in regard to North Korea and Kim Jong Il. The continuation of the North Korean nuclear program and possible missile testing gives the United States yet another front to deal with, in addition to Iraq.
President Bush's administration promoted the use of diplomacy, most likely because the United States' military is already spread too thin.
Perhaps most disconcerting of all would be the recent suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Habeas corpus gives people the right to a trial and due process.
Suspension (essentially elimination) of habeas corpus for those unilaterally declared "enemy combatants" accompanied the debacle concerning detention and torture. The Senate passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006 on Sept. 28 by a 65-34 majority.
The act was passed to assist the president in detaining terrorists and to remove safeguards, because they get in the way. Passage of the act in the Senate was overshadowed by the news of the Mark Foley scandal. In any case, Bush signed the act into law on Oct. 17.
Last week, Keith Olbermann gave a moving and impassioned commentary on MSNBC as to how suspending habeas corpus will lead to a slippery slope (that is in no way unrealistic) of making the Bill of Rights null and void.
If there is no right to habeas corpus, then anyone can be detained for any amount of time, without reason or due process, a clear violation of the Bill of Rights. Freedom of press, speech, religion, right to bear arms and the whole lot do no good to those being held indefinitely without a trial.
The Military Commissions Act of 2006 trumps all, and more than oversteps its bounds; it is a violation of American rights. It shows the jeopardy that liberty has been placed in under the current administration.
This impending election is now about more than just political parties and retaking Congress. It is about more than making change and taking a new direction - it is about freedom.
Nov. 7 is the date to exercise your franchise. Many people become disillusioned with politics and disenchanted with the negative campaign ads inherent with election years, but I urge you to look past the pettiness and get to the core issues that really matter.
It is indeed time for a change of direction, so exercise your right to vote while you still have it.
Rick Beitman is a political science and French senior. He can be reached at Richard.Beitman@asu.edu.