The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News

Media Credit: yds.org

With an upcoming presidential election drawing near, the youth of America are being encouraged to vote and create an active voice in politics. Within the 18-24 year old age group only 32 percent voted and 41.3 percent of those enrolled in school (42 percent of the total 18-24 year old group) voted.

While the United States looks for its youth to take a stance in politics and the future of America there is a club at William Paterson University which does care about politics and its members are looking to create an active and enthusiastic voice for social justice.

The Young Democratic Society, the youth section of Democratic Socialists of America, is the largest socialist student and youth organization. The YDS mission is to see "a progressive democratic majority in the United States.

What is a Democratic Socialist and what are the beliefs of the party? According to the Young Democratic Society website, "Democratic Socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically-to meet the needs of the whole community, not to make profits for a few. To achieve a more just society, many structures of our government and economy must be radically transformed through greater economic and social democracy so that ordinary Americans can participate in the many decisions that affect our lives."

With more than 25 members who come to meetings and over 100 on their mailing list, the William Paterson University chapter of the YDS is a quickly growing group of students who are looking to make their fellow students aware of the injustices that plague, not only politics, but also the injustices that students face every day.

The William Paterson University chapter of YDS wants students to know that these injustices are prevalent even on our campus, and that they should become politically active. Because no one is a where of these injustices and tries to stop it, students are continuing to support corporation.

One example of such injustices is that the United States does not provide the students with free education. And while the University of Cambridge, one of the top universities in the world, charges its students a tuition fee of 3070 euros, or $4,463.17, WPU is charging its students $10,096 for tuition.

YDS member Tim Varro feels that "education is a right, not a privilege. Most countries have free education, but as an industrial country we are still paying."

Though the club is not currently recognized as a club through the Student Government Association, club is in the process of doing so and hopes to be an official club within the next month.

The William Paterson University chapter of YDS meets in Raubinger 212 on Tuesday at 5 p.m. and Thursday 12:30 p.m. You can also visit the club on Facebook with their group WPU YDS.

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