Debate is raging over the ethics of distributing food in during the current ASI campaign. Accusations are flying between candidates, and as soon as the election is over, a campus election committee will no doubt investigate.

What’s more disturbing? The fact that a candidate felt food was a better incentive to vote than goals and vision, or the fact that students would entrust a million dollar budget to the guy passing out hot dogs regardless of what he plans to do with that budget?

Two things are sure: Students are getting bought off cheap and the ASI candidates are getting a raw deal. We get free hot dogs and they get one measly vote. There’s so much more to be had here!

Since ASI and the university are mock ups from which we are supposed learn about the real world situations we may someday face, check out what our current leaders do for votes and what they get in return.

George W. Bush never fails to reward his supporters. Last month “Dubya” offered Bechtel, a San Francisco company, a $680 million contract to help rebuild Iraq. It just so happens that Bechtel contributed $1 million to Republican campaigns. Gee. Who else can boast that kind of return on their investment?

Closer to home, Gray Davis sets a great example, so great that Californians ignored all the allegations of political wrongdoing, the energy crisis and Enron, and elected him governor for four more years!

Davis is known for passing legislation, tallying supporters of said legislation and hitting them up for money in return for his help. It’s dirty and sneaky, and according to current campaign regulations, perfectly legal. Further proof of Davis’s “generosity”: Since 1999 California Indian tribes have contributed $1.34 million to the Davis camp. In that same time period revenues from Indian gaming have tripled and winnings in California surpassed those in New Jersey, where gambling is legal!

During her campaign for Mayor of Sacramento, Heather Fargo said “There are two groups of people who pay for campaigns: labor unions and developers. According to the Bee, half the campaign contributions in Sacramento County came from developers in 2000. Judging by the explosion of new homes over the past 10 years, it’s clear that their “charity” is paying off.

So, what can we learn from all of this? Perhaps ASI candidates should consider sneakier, less publicized tricks. There are any number of interests to hit up on the campus. All it would take is a little more ambition, and if they start to feel bad about it they should start feeling better when they remember they’re only practicing for when they get into the real world.

Small level bribes like passing out food pale in comparison to what the big boys (and they are mostly men) are doing to get elected. And as far as we, the people are concerned, sure, it may cheapen the democratic process, but we’ll take that hot dog anyway, won’t we? And most of us probably aren’t even going to vote.

Click here to send private feedback about this article to the State Hornet’s Forum staff.