Political Apathy Among Students

The students’ attitudes described in Doyle McManus’ article (Dec. 27) reveal an upside-down notion of cause and effect in the political process. These students say they are apathetic because “they don’t see much . . . honesty and morality in their government.” But their apathy causes them not to vote (fewer than one out of five voted in last month’s election). Therefore, it is precisely their apathy, and that of the rest of us, that allows the makeup of Congress (and other political bodies) to be determined by small extremist groups. And it is that same apathy that results in the present low estate of those political bodies.

They also say they have “declining confidence in political institutions,” that they “find it difficult to love the political process, and that they feel no “sense of connection with the political system.” In fact there is nothing wrong with our political institutions, our political process or our political system. These have been in place for more than 200 years and work just fine, if we will use them. The people’s involvement in the political process is the fuel that powers it.

I offer them and the rest of us the following advice: Get involved in the political process. Vote.

Candidates are not divinely appointed. Almost all of them started out in local politics. If you don’t like the candidates, help choose them: Work in your neighborhood, community and state for candidates of your choice.

ARNOLD SIMON

Los Angeles