We know. Voting takes soooo much effort. And really, who has the time these days? Between sharing your favorite CollegeCandy articles on Facebook (this is what you do in your free time, right?) and figuring out how to turn last year’s sexy devil costume into this year’s sexy tomato costume, you’re pretty busy.

We get it. We’re busy too. You know, figuring out how to fit as many statements in parenthesis as possible into a short blog post. (It’s very time consuming.)

But this is important. This survey is your way of telling the world (yeah we have access to everyone’s email in the WORLD! Can you believe it? Somedays I really can’t.) who influences you, who inspires you, who makes you laugh, who makes you run out and go on a shopping spree, who makes you retweet and who makes you download embarrassing, but insanely catchy music (winkface at you R. Black!).

So stop making excuses and vote right now. Seriously. The world is waiting for your input.

P.S – Come back on Tuesday to see who won these coveted titles.

A lot is happening in the world right now. Egypt said no more to their President, and since then, other countries such as Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, Iran, Kuwait, Algeria, and Dijbouti have actively started seeking change from their governments. Tons of stuff is happening back in the United States too. There are the Wisconsin protests rising up against the newly elected governor’s budget, the House voting to ban federal funding to Planned Parenthood, possible threats to cut funding for programs like Americorps, and of course, we’re still in a terrible economic recession.

As college students and young women, we should be aware of what’s going on around us. For example, the federal funding to Planned Parenthood could hurt women across the country and prevent us from having affordable birth control options (such as the Pill and IUDs) and annual health screenings. Sometimes sitting around doesn’t seem good enough, but people often say “I’d get involved, but I don’t know how.” Consider this your friendly college guide to activism so you can get involved:

Utilize Facebook and other social media platforms: The world of social media is meant to be an extension of your personality, so why not use it to share what you believe in? Passionate about animal rights — don’t be afraid to ‘Like’ PETA or post a video about puppy mills. Are you upset that funding was cut in your home state for education? Post an article about it on your blog — use it to start a dialogue. Tweet about what’s on your mind. Send out Facebook event invites for club meetings about campus fundraising or for the Gay/Straight alliance you just joined.

Register to vote: This is straightforward and simple. By registering to vote, even if elections are right around the corner, you are taking a proactive step to say, “Hey, I want to voice my opinion.” You can register to vote here.

Write to your representatives: If you want your concerns to be sent directly to those in office, write a letter. It may feel like they aren’t read or acknowledged, but letter writing is one of the most effective ways to say “I’m a constituent and this is what I believe in.” Share a personal anecdote about why them voting against a bill will change your life or list the concerns you have as a citizen in your jurisdiction. Not sure what to write or who to send your letters to? Everything you need to get started is right here.

Hold a coffee hour: Use your on campus coffee shop to hold a meeting where students can get together and talk about what’s going on. As an organizer, you simply have to get the word out there and open up the floor for people to discuss what’s on their minds about an issue. You can even get your school’s staff involved. For example, if you want to talk about what’s going on in countries like Libya, ask a professor from the Political Science department to join in on the conversation. If you can get professors behind you, more students are likely to come. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to get a cup of coffee?

Petition: If you are concerned that your campus isn’t going to carry Plan-B anymore, don’t expect someone else to do something. Start a petition; it’s the quickest way to get people to put their name to something. Reserve a table in your school’s dining hall or go around to all the fraternities and sororities on campus and ask them for support. All you have to do is dedicate some time, get others to help out, and send the petition (make sure to make copies of it) to the right people. Everything you need to know about petitions can be found here!

Start a club: If your campus doesn’t have an Amnesty International branch and you wish it did, start one. Just because your school doesn’t have a Black Student Alliance doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Generally, it’s easy to start a club — especially if the student activity board feels like you are passionate enough to run it. Find people to help you show preliminary interest in the group, and go through the proper procedure to be an active club. Through a club, you can increase activism and meet a ton of people with similar interests!

Contact those in charge: E-mail the dean of student life if you want to see something changed. Contact the president of your school if you have a problem that hasn’t been solved by anyone else. Get in touch with the department head and see if you can get their backing to sponsor a student-lead discussion on the topic of your choice. Write to the person in charge of guest speakers and say “I want someone to come speak about AIDS!” If you don’t tell those in charge what you want, you can’t expect them to read your mind. And if they don’t listen, well … figure out how you can get involved with the student government or sit on a board with the Dean.

Search for people like you: Clubs offer a great way to meet people with similar interests, but sometimes if a certain type of club isn’t on campus it can seem impossible. If you are interested in environmental groups in your area, ask your environmental science professor if they can direct you to possible outlets. Go online and search for feminist or democratic women’s groups in your area. Pay attention to what people say in class; the girl you haven’t talked to all year in your science class could have interned for the senator you want to get in touch with. Meeting people like you is also a great way to network, so don’t be afraid to engage with others.

Hold a rally or protest: If you have enough people believing in your cause, don’t be afraid to cause a ruckus. As long as you aren’t being violent, showing power in numbers can be incredibly brave and attention-grabbing. During college, hundreds of students from my school got together for a major march in Washington D.C. about the war in Iraq. It brought us together for a cause we all believed in, and we were able to use our united voices to make a statement. Protests and rallies don’t have to be on a large scale. You can do it outside on the quad or in the downtown area of your local city. Make t-shirts, carry signs, and walk for a cause you believe in! For more information on how to successfully plan a rally, check here.

Stay educated: If feminism is something you believe in, go after books that highlight women’s issues. If you believe in helping the needy, research online the best outlets for you to get involved in throughout your community. Read the news and stay up to date with current events. (We make it easy!) When you’re in class and your professor talks about something you aren’t familiar with, ask for more information on the topic and ask why it’s important to them. Staying current and interested will keep the passion alive for being an activist.

You have to start somewhere in order to get your voice heard, so don’t be afraid to stand up and speak out. You never know who is listening or what change you could bring about. Like Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Where else but America could we devote our lives to whatever career we want, eat whatever we want (and as much as we want), while subjecting ourselves to whatever guilty pleasures we want — and spoof the government that makes it all possible at the same time?

Compared with the rest of the world, Americans tend to live privileged lives. You know the spiel: it’s all possible thanks to the incredibly brave people who serve in the armed forces. But how often do we really stop and give them that thanks?

Well, it’s time. So today, Veterans Day, here are a few ways we ladies can show our appreciation for those who’ve helped preserve our uniquely American way of life.

Say Thank-You, Literally
College girls are gutsy. Put some of your verve to good use. Approach a family member, or – even better – a complete stranger on the street (veterans often sport their pride with commemorative T-shirts and ball caps, especially around the holiday). All you have to say is something like, “Thank you for your service,” or “I’m glad you’re alive.” This tiny exchange may seem awkward to you, but you will touch a veteran’s heart beyond belief with your consideration. Veterans often go years without hearing these simple words of gratitude.

Write a Letter
Too shy to come right out and say thanks? Veterans appreciate letters, too. If you’re unsure of what to say, many letter-writing organizations will help you out  — you may not even need to pay for envelopes or postage. Writing letters gives veterans a tangible reminder that someone took the time to appreciate them.

Keep Them in Your Thoughts
Perhaps the simplest way to thank veterans is to stop and remember them, with a moment of silence or a prayer. Rally your suite-mates together or pause for a moment on your own. It sounds almost too easy, but veterans appreciate it when the younger generation keeps them close to their minds and hearts.

Light a Candle, Display a Flag
It is high tradition for veterans to decorate the graves of their former comrades with candles and flags, but not every deceased veteran has someone able to perform this ritual in their memory. Cemetery candles  and flags can be found cheaply (check dollar stores), especially around Veterans Day. Decorating the grave of a forgotten veteran may be the most touching tribute you can offer to his or her memory.

Vote
Whether you’re Red, Blue, or Green, the best way you can honor a veteran is by voting. If you’ve never voted in your life, register now. If you don’t understand politics, do some Googling and start thinking about the next election. Millions of men and women have served in the military, and many have died doing so, to protect this country’s freedom and the ability for everyone’s voice to be heard. Vote, if for no other reason than to thank veterans for putting their lives on the line for you.

Before pulling that mechanical lever or pressing that computerized button — and if your not voting via an absentee ballot — check out this beginner’s guide entering the booth.

What to Bring

A government issued form of identification. Your state license or passport will be adequate.

Where to Go

You are registered to vote in a specified area within your county. Check out your registration status online (Seriously, just Google “[state name] voter registration status” and you’ll find a bevy of links). After entering your information, there will be a list citing your voting status, which should be active. Also, there will be an area that lets you know which county you are registered to vote within. Find a polling booth in your specified county.

What to Expect

When you get to the polling station, know there will be a line. Depending on the races, it could be short or could be very long. Allot a minimum time period of an hour to vote. But, do be aware that it could take even longer.

Also, do not wear any sort of candidate paraphernalia. Trust me, it’s illegal and could get you kicked out of that long line you just waited in.

What to Do

After waiting in the line, you’ll be prompted by a poll worker to present your ID and verify your registration status. You will then be asked to give your John Hancock on a large pad of paper. They have your signature on file and will compare it to your election day signature to be sure they match.

After doing all this, a poll worker will lead you to a voting booth. Inside, you’ll find either a mechanical or computerized voting machine. If it’s mechanical, you’ll have to manually flip each switch next to the candidate. You have various voting options, like voting by party rather than by candidate. On a computerized machine, your options are the same but, well, computerized.

Once you cast your vote, you either pull the mechanical metal lever or press the button on the computerized machine. You’re vote will then be registered and the curtain will lift. And you’re done!

What You Get

Sometimes you get a sticker, sometimes you don’t. But you’ll leave with the satisfaction of having a voice in your country, which is a pretty good feeling.

Oh, and don’t forget to brush up on all the issues before you go!

Political ads around election time are famous for their often-nasty messages, intending to take down the opposition. Interest groups act as a sidekick, informally backing certain candidates by criticizing their opponent. With all the smack-talk, it can be really difficult to decipher fact from fiction.

Amid this chaotic media mess, there are several sources that are not only reliable but also non-partisan. They provide voters with the facts, avoiding the echoes of emotion and party allegiance.

Here are a few must-read sites for any college student planning to vote this election– hopefully, that’s all of you!

Project Vote Smart
Votesmart.org provides candidates’ voting records, their political stance on all issues, and their approval ratings by interest groups. Seriously, there is no better site to inform you about your state’s candidates, leaving out the mess of opinion and sticking to the cold hard facts.

FactCheck.org
This site sifts through the truths and lies of campaign ads. It allows readers to be informed of false advertising and not fall for the tricks of media campaigning.

CNN.com
In case it wasn’t obvious in my previous posts, I rely on CNN for much of my political knowledge. After checking out the aforementioned sites, head to the following interactive links on CNN.com and delve deeper into the midterm elections.

The Races
This interactive map to all the midterm elections (Senate, House, Governor) allows you to find out who is running in your state. Also, the site provides visual representations of party control in the House and Senate. There are also lists of the races to watch, accompanied by a blurb about the two candidates that are competing for the seat.

The Polls
This area of CNN’s “Election Center” has a myriad of political news articles about the majority of the races, relaying where Americans stand in certain races and why they’re voting in such a way.

My Election
After being prompted to type in your area code, you will find a wealth of news, polls, and opinion pieces about the candidates from your state. Also, you can find out what’s at stake this election, voting information, and fund raising numbers per candidate.

Voting by party, rather than issue, is dangerous. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s essential to understand who you’re voting for and where they genuinely stand on the important issues. Before heading to the polls on November 2, make sure you check out these helpful sites and know who you’re voting into power.

While I’m sitting here in Splitsville mending my heart with candy corn and Halloween M&Ms, let’s take a look at some less-depressing recent hot topics.

-It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month and one CC reader wants you to know the disease isn’t restricted to older women.  Check yo self, ladies.

-We told you how to score Blake Lively’s look for less.  Because shopping always makes us feel better! Especially when that shopping puts money back in our pockets.

-With Halloween only a couple weeks away, we wondered if our favorite holiday breeds sexism.  Those sexy kitten, nurse, and maid outfits sure are revealing, after all…

-We found that some bitches are crazy, even outside the TV.  Do you know how to spot a real-life Gossip Girl?

-If you’re out of college with a slightly out of focus post-grad path, you’re not alone.  Stop hyperventilating, start embracing.

-How accepting are you really?

-Ugh, Blue Books. Just writing about them gives us anxiety.

-We swear we’re never too old to wear pigtails, lick the bowl, and do these other childhood favorites.

-From poopin’ in private to creative culinary solutions, Columbus may have found America, but we’ve got the 411 on the best college discoveries.

- And, not that you should need one, but we gave you 5 reasons to get out there and vote on November 2nd. Do it.

Luckily, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the biggies.

But, none of these issues really matter unless you actually choose to exercise your vote. So, here are 5 reasons to get out (or online to fill out an absentee ballot) and vote!

It’s Your Right
As a liberal democracy, America allows each citizen to have an equal voice in society. Certainly, some are a bit louder than others. But, that voice is represented in the form of a check mark on a ballot: the vote. This right, which can seem insignificant in our contemporary (and cynical) society, is so important that it has caused social wars for those without it. Now, considering every American citizen receives the possibility to exercise this awesome right on their 18^th birthday, everyone is on a level playing field. When you vote, you’re not only relishing the freedom of America, but the freedom of governmental liberalism.

You Want a Job
Tired of hearing adults at so-and-so’s graduation party console you with the now-classic “Well, in this economy, it’s just so tough to get a job”? Applying for exorbitant numbers of jobs, complaining, and moping around your room will not get them to pipe down. But a package that stimulates the economy by creating jobs, which is a point of partisan contention in this election, will shut them up. And, such a plan will help your future. It’s a win-win. However, no one can win if you don’t get out and vote.

You Get a Sticker
And who doesn’t love stickers?

The Issues Matter
These issues can’t just be ignored. They may seem trivial to your life at the moment, but they will greatly affect your life in several years. Most legislation does not take affect immediately. So, your vote now will decide your taxes, health care, (and even) salary, etc., in 5-10 years. It may seem like a hassle to fill out an absentee form, but it’s 100% worth it in the long run.

Apathy is Not Awesome
In Obama’s recent interview with Rolling Stone, he urges citizens to “shake off this lethargy” and vote. Obviously, his personal purpose with this statement is to target Democrats since there is a very high chance that the party will lose their majority vote in Congress after this election. But, Obama’s message should resonate with many students our age — no matter your party. We’re educated, we have a decent amount of free time, and all these decisions will decide our future in America. Yet, many of us will remain on our couch November 2, 2010, watching Dexter OnDemand instead of helping mold our country. Not. Cool. So, get out and vote. Especially in this election, when your vote will be extremely important in determining which party will have control of Congress, and therefore what kinds of legislation will be passed in the next two years.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, I have one message for the CollegeCandy readers. Exercise your right and VOTE! Yes, it’s a total cliché, but it’s one that can help change our country and our futures.

“But, I’m in college!” you exclaim. “How am I supposed to vote when I’m not even at home?”

Luckily, the whole process is pretty simple. Yes, you will be required to fill out a form, tongue that strip of sticky nastiness on an envelope, and pop that bad boy in the mail. But, that’s about it. Here you can find all the information you need to obtain and send in an absentee ballot.

There are many reasons why the midterms as a whole are important. Also, many races are important. But, it’s not an election without the issues. What do Americans want? What do the varying states want?

This year, the three principal issues of the election will be the economy, the deficit, and healthcare. They’re all extraordinarily complex subjects, so it’s important to objectively understand what’s going on with each topic before heading to the booth.

The Economy
Since the country-shaking events that occurred on Wall Street in 2008, the U.S. economy, as well many unemployed Americans, have been battling to regain financial strength and stability. The Bush Administration spent $700 billion in December 2008 to bail-out the struggling companies that were “too big to fail.” As the unemployment rate skyrocketed and Obama took office in ’09, a $787 billion economic stimulus bill was passed. There are still many discrepancies concerning the bill itself, as well as its effectiveness. However, 15 million Americans remain unemployed. And it’s up to us to pick representatives that can intelligently address this issue without adding too greatly to the already massive deficit.

Which brings me to issue #2…

The Deficit
This fiscal year, the deficit is expected to top out at $1.56 TRILLION (yikes!). According to CNN, the 2009 deficit, which was $1.41 trillion, is about “nine times bigger than each of the 2002 and 2007 deficits.” Those numbers are absolutely jaw-dropping and have caused a ton of anger and outrage amongst American citizens. The Tea Party Movement is a perfect example of such an emotional (and effective) reaction. It’s important to remember that we’re not talking about the budget, but the DEFICIT. That means that every single penny in the aforementioned number will be borrowed from some other country. When we depend on other nations so greatly, it can make our own economic recovery very difficult.

Healthcare
This past year, Congress passed a health care reform bill and Obama signed it into law. However, the bill was only supported by Democrats, leaving the true fate of the $940 billion, 2,700 page bill up in the air. If Republicans take control of the House and Senate after the election, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to “repeal and replace” the bill. The massive bill is complicated (so take a minute and click through the slides on the left) and Americans are split concerning the law. So, healthcare will remain an important factor in the midterm elections, for the already passed law can go one way or the other depending on who controls Congress.

No matter your party, these issues will definitely be a consideration when you head to the polls on November 2. They’re all related to one another, considering economy and healthcare reform packages will add to the deficit. However, with the right people in office (I’m optimistic, what can I say?) and a bit of patience from Americans, these issues can be hurdled with success. The economy, the deficit, and healthcare are extremely important and decisions made about them now will shape our adult lives– which are just beginning.

Remember to look up your state’s candidates and their stances on different issues rather than merely voting based on party. And, most importantly, remember to fill out that voter registration form or absentee ballot and have your voice heard!

Now tell us: where do you stand on these three key issues?

Do you need a new computer?

We put out a call to CollegeCandy readers last week to submit their P.O.S. computer sob stories (with photos, of course!) to win a brand new laptop bundle from HP. And boy were there a lot of them. Seriously, we had no idea so many of you were still using desktops! WTF?!

We spent the weekend sifting through the entries (and drinking) looking for the worst of the worst and narrowed it down to five really crap-tastic computing experiences.

Which one is the crappiest? You tell us. Vote below for the person most deserving of the coveted HP Laptop Bundle. And tell your friends to vote too! One of these 5 people needs a new computer stat and you could be the person to help them get it.

Doing good has never been so easy.

We’ll announce the winner tomorrow morning, Tuesday September 1st!
Vote now, vote often.

P.O.S #1:
Piecemeal crapola

P.O.S. #2:
I smile just to cover the pain.

P.O.S. #3:
Crumb-tastic!

P.O.S. #4:
Older than my grandma. And she’s old.

P.O.S. #5:
First laptop ever?

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2009/08/31/who-deserves-the-hp-laptop-bundle-vote/feed/ 23 ccandystaff HP-Giveaway-lead HP 1 HP 2 HP 3 hp 4 hp 5 http://collegecandy.com/2008/12/30/not-great-in-08-the-years-worst-in-pop-culture/ http://collegecandy.com/2008/12/30/not-great-in-08-the-years-worst-in-pop-culture/#comments Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:39:33 +0000 Sarah- East Carolina University http://www.collegecandy.com/buzz/15441 As 2008 draws to a close, those of us here at College Candy strive to provide you with a recap of the year in pop culture, poring over countless magazines and endless E! programs to get the full scoop of the year’s worst. In no particular order, we present to you our list of Pop Culture shiz that should forever stay in 2008.

The Pregnant Man – Thomas Beattie became the sensation of the world in April when he appeared …

As 2008 draws to a close, those of us here at College Candy strive to provide you with a recap of the year in pop culture, poring over countless magazines and endless E! programs to get the full scoop of the year’s worst. In no particular order, we present to you our list of Pop Culture shiz that should forever stay in 2008.

The Pregnant Man – Thomas Beattie became the sensation of the world in April when he appeared on Oprah to defend his choice to have a child as a transgendered man. Sticking up for your beliefs? Awesome, and definitely commendable. Eventually turning into a fame slut and marketing out your second pregnancy? Not cool. Now pregnant with his second child, Beattie has already cemented a book deal on his experience and been interviewed a second time as a ‘Barbara Walters Exclusive.’ One child is a miracle. A second one immediately afterwards is a marketing scheme.

Batsh** Insane Celebrities Across The Media - Britney, Lindsey, and others: we’re talking to you. 2008 was the year of the mental millionaire, with the world playing a captive audience to the tragic, bizarre, and sometimes just eerie behavior of celebrities. We watched Britney Spears struggle to put her life back together after divorce, Lindsey Lohan battling various addictions, and Scarlett Johansson crossing the borderline into stalker-ish about Barack Obama. Here’s the real scoop: an estimated 57.7 million adults are suffering from a diagnosable mental illness in the United States alone. What makes these celebrities any different from these people who are suffering in private besides their income and the paparazzi that shadow them? Watching people suffer is definitely a trend that shouldn’t cross over into ’09.

“Reality” Dating Shows - Now that Flavor Flav has finally hung up his clock and gone off the air, there are about thirty shows taking his place, and they’re spreading like cockroaches. Tila Tequila, the ‘Ikki Twins,’ and others are taking over Vh1 and MTV mercilessly, swamping our televisions with drunken fights (actually funny to watch), and pointless drama. Who makes their boyfriends/girlfriends eat nasty pig parts and do bizarre things in the name of love? These loveless actors do. Some dating shows range from the creepy (Date My Mom) to the outright postmortem (The Bachelor), but either way, they all need to go.

Political Ignorance/Apathy – In the year of the historical election, political action was awesome and political apathy was absolutely the anti-cool. The worst of the worse were the nonpartisans who were both apathetic and uneducated about the election. Their “why should I bother to vote” statements were both inhibiting to the democratic tradition and simply irritating. Guaranteed to piss off people who were voting, the ‘Not Voting’ demographic drew on fallacies and the platforms that they didn’t really understand to prove why they weren’t going to vote. The election was basically a two horse race, but there were still other entries available as an alternate, so not voting at all was just not cool.

Guys in Girl Jeans – It’s creepy. It’s weird. It’s a guy shopping in the same section as you in PacSun. As you put down the pair of sunglasses you were looking at and openly stare, you realize he’s not just shopping for a shirt to give to his girlfriend. He’s holding three pairs of jeans in his hand, and there’s no girlfriend in sight. As you watch, he takes the jeans and starts walking to the dressing rooms. You are not witnessing a confused shopper. You’re witnessing the Girl Jean Phenomenon, a plague of 2008 pop culture, and a trend that needs to die on December 31st. Guys wearing our jeans is not cool or edgy. It’s just lame and, now, overplayed.

Saturday Night Live – Is it still going? It’s been in the process of becoming painfully unfunny in the years since Will Ferrell left, and now with the exit of Amy Poehler, we just need to euthanize it. A classic sketch show that began in 1975 with genuinely funny people, SNL has run over six hundred episodes of pure comedic bliss continuously for thirty-three years. As with all great series, though, the time has come to put SNL out of its misery before it becomes the kind of joke it used to make.

Churning Out Tween Pop Stars By The Dozen – If child enslavement was defined as being manufactured on a kids’ show and being shoved on the masses, Disney and Nickelodeon would be doing massive amounts of time in jail. The list of sugary sweet music artists includes, but definitely is not limited to The Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, Demi What’s-Her-Name, That Miranda Kid, and a host of others, few if any of whom have actual talent. But you wouldn’t know, because should you approach any method of media that is playing a song by them, you’ll be deafened instantly and hopelessly by the cacophony of shrieking that erupts. The Original Disney Channel Star, Hilary Duff, unfortunately started it all when she split from Disney in 2004 to pursue a solo career (which caused a big fuss, if I remember right). She was an original, at least for the Disney Channel. These cookie cutter kids? About as generic as it gets.

Agree or disagree? Think something else should have made the list? Voice your opinions below, and tell us what you think about the worst pop culture in 2008!

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