A view from Hawk Hill | 10 years worth of change in just four

Much can change in four years—and many things can stay the same.  As I sit here writing my last-ever column, I can’t help but think about the student I have become here at St. Joe’s.  Although I still hold steadfast to some of my conservative values, I have experienced what many have warned against—the “liberalizing” effect of higher education. 

Of course, this liberalizing effect does not happen to every 18 year-old who enters college.  However, there are a peculiar minority who divulge into uncharted academic waters and uncover ideas they never even dreamed they would contemplate.  This unmasking can lead to a change in ideological views as well as a nagging and constant need to question everything.

After evaluating my four years here in conjunction with the most recent political history, I find that there are many similarities between my ideological tale and the current mindset of Americans. 

I believe that in the past four years, America has undergone a comparable experience that involves the constant questioning of the norm.  Gone are the days when political news took a back seat to baking demonstrations on Good Morning America.  Even Katie Couric realized the times and priorities were changing, as she has gone from being the lovable morning host to a serious CBS news anchor.  It has become “hip” to identify yourself by which news station you receive your news.  Several events in recent history have caused Americans to tune in and stay hooked.

Regardless of political affiliation, Americans are alert and they want answers.  A review of the past four years proves that I’m not the only one who now questions everything from the message to the messenger.

When the senior class arrived on Hawk Hill four years ago in 2006, the United States was three years into a war that was started for reasons of which I am still unaware.  As far as I can tell, not much has changed in this respect.  Six years deep and $1 trillion out of our pockets, we are still in pretty much the same predicament.  This general inactivity is an interesting example of a crisis that has spurred many Americans into consciousness.

Similarly, Hurricane Katrina struck in August of 2005.  When we arrived to unpack our boxes into Sourin and LaFarge, thousands of Louisiana and Mississippi residents remained displaced and homeless.  Five years later, many have still been unable to return to their cities and their families. The government’s blind eye has caused some citizens to in turn question its intentions.

In late 2008, the onset of what would become the worst economic depression since the 1930s began to arrive in the form of a home foreclosure and mortgage crisis.  Stranded and confused Americans began to ponder the closed door deals which undoubtedly played a role in this mess.  Financial irresponsibility trickled up into the government and reared its nasty head deep into 2009. 

After much political distress, 53 percent of Americans decided to vote for change in 2008.  This change came in the form of the first ever minority president, one who had big ideas—too big for some.  Immediately, he attempted to fix the financial sector, save the environment, and reform our health care system.  This all-encompassing agenda was met with skepticism from both sides of the aisle. 

However, I contend that this skepticism, which has led to an obnoxiously divisive government, was not caused by President Obama’s plans but rather by fears of failure and deceit which occurred in the recent past. 

Americans want to know where their money is going and how we will pay for these costly measures—and rightly so.  They have already dished out the dough several times in the past four years.  It is the duty of the government to transparently disclose where these funds will be allocated.  The media does a great job of capturing viewers by cynically portraying these inquiries.  Perhaps it should be held somewhat accountable for the less than pleasant political climate.

America has gone through periods of peace and disturbance. We are currently experiencing a time of elevated disturbance.  The past nine or so years have not been some of the brightest for Americans both domestically and abroad.  Yet, more Americans seem to be aware of the political climate.  These events and the reactions (or lack thereof) have to some extent “liberalized” citizens in a way which has caused them to question motives, means, and messengers. 

If there is one thing that this liberalizing education here at St. Joe’s has taught me, it is that the more I learn, the less I seem to know.  Every day, more and more Americans are starting to feel this way about the country’s current political state.
 

Caitlin Reusche is a senior opinions writer and political science major. She can be reached at thehawk@sju.edu.