Vote for Ryan Gauss for USC Prez!

While I'm still undecided I should add what I know about S Lecce. Politically I'm quite certain he's conservative (more fiscally and philosophically than socially) but has allied himself with women's and environmental causes. In his 3rd year he held a position, Municipal Affairs Commissioner, which I was interested in holding the following year, so I spoke to him for about 20 minutes on the phone to ask him about the portfolio. My impression of him was that he was a nice guy with an interest in what he's doing. He also has a good 3 years experience in the USC. Again, I'm still not decided, so that isn't an endorsement, but it is worth considering a student's abilities to actually carry out objectives within the short time allotted to them.

I wanted to add context to this post/endorsement just so that people know who/what they are voting for. Dan and I had this discussion earlier so I'm sure he won't be offended. As well, my comments are not meant to detract from Mr. Gauss's campaign - in fact, I myself will be voting for him (very reluctantly) based on 1) some of the discussions I have had with others, 2) the people who are involved with his campaign, and 3) the endorsement of Gauss by the Western New Democrats.

It is probably helpful for progressive students (Greens, NDPers, anarchists) to know that - in all likelihood - Mr. Gauss is either a Conservative or centre-right Liberal who fundamentally misunderstands progressive ideas. I say this because the views that he expressed in my American Politics class last year were nothing short of disturbing. Mr. Gauss spoke in favour of the right to bear arms, lax campaign finance laws that enable private interests to dominate politics and policy, and free trade agreements that disenfranchise third world nations as well as workers here at home. With regard to the latter issue, Mr. Gauss went so far as to say that third world citizens are incapable of developing their own independent, sustainable economies based on participatory and cooperative principles. He stated that free trade zones and sweatshop factories - no matter their faults - 'benefit' third world citizens because they provide these citizens with jobs they would otherwise not enjoy (again, based on the assumption that the third world is just too 'unsophisticated' to develop alternative businesses). To me, there was little to suggest that these views were merely exaggerations or 'jokes' - rather, they seemed to reflect the genuine convictions of Mr. Gauss.

That being said, as student council prez Gauss responded to the generally progressive views of King's students by getting Suzuki, Layton and Nader to speak at the college. He attempted to debunk the stereotypical views of students held by some at City Hall and (to my understanding) improved the profile of the Enviro rep on council. He seems to be the 'most competent' candidate with regard to student financial aid and the need to better involve the university within the greater London community. But my point is that - based on his real life political views - Mr. Gauss has likely done all of these things not because he believes in them but because he has proven to be a responsive, receptive and politically adept student politician. In other words, he realizes that it is 'politically smart' or 'beneficial' to respond to the demands of students, even if those students are progressive or radical. And I feel that is an important distinction to make.

I would also add that I do not know Mr. Gauss personally and therefore do not know all of his political views. I can only attest to some of the scarier views that I was exposed to last year. I think it takes a massive amount of courage to run for anything of this sort and for that I commend all of the candidates. In the absence of any 'true' progressive candidate I will be voting for Mr. Gauss based on his performance thus far as a student politician and the endorsements he has received from progressive students and student bodies.