2008 Woodie Awards
Club of the Week
Democracy Matters arrives at De Anza
Karina Sendayen
Issue date: 5/27/08 Section: Features
Following in the footsteps of schools such as UC Davis and UC Berkeley, De Anza College has organized a chapter from the nonprofit and nonpartisan organization Democracy Matters. With elections just around the corner, the club's timing is perfect because it addresses issues related to campaigning.
For example, the chapter works on addressing issues such as the influence of private companies' financial grants on politicians. During the 2004 elections, congressional and presidential candidates spent four billion dollars in total, raising significant concern. Politicians who receive money from executives of big companies may pass legislation in their favor and ignore the concerns of others constituents.
The club focuses on encouraging student activism for democratic reform and educating people about alternative funding like that of the "clean election" system.
With this system, the impact of lobbyists and interest groups may be reduced since it allows for full public funding for a candidate's primary and general election, making them accountable only to voters.
"We're here to educate people about the election process and campaign finance reform, as well as trying to have people more involved in the community," said club official Alena Starostina.
In addition to distributing voter registration forms, the club lectures on political issues and invites speakers to De Anza.
"As of now, we're working on bringing a speaker from New York to help discuss the clean elections," said Starostina.
It is still election time, so there is no better time than now to check Democracy Matters out and learn more about local and national election processes.
The club was deemed official on May 9. Meetings are held near the front of the library every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Karina Sendayen is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact her at karinasendayen@lavozdeanza.com.
For example, the chapter works on addressing issues such as the influence of private companies' financial grants on politicians. During the 2004 elections, congressional and presidential candidates spent four billion dollars in total, raising significant concern. Politicians who receive money from executives of big companies may pass legislation in their favor and ignore the concerns of others constituents.
The club focuses on encouraging student activism for democratic reform and educating people about alternative funding like that of the "clean election" system.
With this system, the impact of lobbyists and interest groups may be reduced since it allows for full public funding for a candidate's primary and general election, making them accountable only to voters.
"We're here to educate people about the election process and campaign finance reform, as well as trying to have people more involved in the community," said club official Alena Starostina.
In addition to distributing voter registration forms, the club lectures on political issues and invites speakers to De Anza.
"As of now, we're working on bringing a speaker from New York to help discuss the clean elections," said Starostina.
It is still election time, so there is no better time than now to check Democracy Matters out and learn more about local and national election processes.
The club was deemed official on May 9. Meetings are held near the front of the library every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Karina Sendayen is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact her at karinasendayen@lavozdeanza.com.
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