Page 2
The Summer Nebroskan
Tuesday, June 15, 1965
Politics: Is It An Honorable
Editor's Note: The following
depth story was written for
an advanced reporting class
at ( h e School of Journalism
following an appearance at
the University by Governor
Morrison, at which approxi
mately 60 persons were pres
ent. By Wallis Lundeen
An angry governor and a
high school history teacher
both demand that young peo
ple be taught about the struc
ture of the American political
system. The changing rule of
wernment is Dointed out by
a professional politician, and
politicians become increasing
ly aware that people have the
idea that parties are bad.
These comments seem to in
dicate that politicians and ed
ucators are placing increased
emphasis on the need for
more political education. Pol
iticians are also actively en
couraging young people to
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Services at 9:30 and 11:00
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Charge or budget
lllustrttions slightly enlarged
train for and consider a ca
reer in politics.
The late President John F.
Kennedy, who, in the words of
President Lyndon B. Johnson,
"had a very special meaning
to the young," regarded poli
tics as one of the highest
forms of human endeavor.
President Johnson told a dele
gation from a university that
Kennedy's most important
contribution, his real legacy
to the country, was "his per
suasive argument to the
young people of our country
to enter the field of politics
and government."
What is politics? Politics
has many faces and many
definitions for different peo
ple. It is an honorable profes
sion to a governor; a profes
sion requiring brains and tal
ent to a secretary ol state; it
is the machinery of govern
ment, the art of accomplish
ment, and possibly a future
career.
What is a politician? The
dictionary defines him as one
versed in the science of gov
ernment, or one addicted to,
or actively engaged in, poli
tics as managed by parties.
During the last campaign,
Governor Frank B. Morrison
became concerned with t h e
general image of politics in
the state. Too many young
people, especially, he found,
felt leery of the politician.
Young people viewed the poli
tician "as an unscrupulous in
dividual seeking only self-gain
and position," he said.
Morrison desenhes imlitwc
and its importance today this
way. "Politics is an honnra
ble profession, and, most cer
tainly, one of the most critical
of our day. For, on the politi
cian's shoulders, hangs t h e
fate of our democracy."
Concerned with this image,
and desiring to encourage in
terest in Politics as a nnssi.
j ble profession, and to begin a
i program of education to help
change the image of politics,
Governor Morrison scheduled
!two discussion groups with
midwestern governors. The
! first was held at. the Uni
versity of Nebraska in Lin
coln on May 10, with Gover
nor William Avery of Kan
sas. The second was held on
May 12 at Wayne State Col
lege with South Dakota Gov
ernor Nils A. Boe.
"I should note thai both of
i these gentlemen are RoDiihli-
icans," Morrison said. "I be
lieve it importaii that we at
tack this problem on a bi
partisan approach, thus dis
couraging the perennial crit
ics." Facing a nearly eniDtv audi
torium at the University. Mor
rison declared that "the very
fact that this room isn't filled
- - ,
with students is a reflection
on the fact that we need a re-1
vitahzation in our political
; system. i
Although Morrison said the
attendance was a sign of "dan-
igerous apathy" toward poli-l
tics and government, and!
was a reflection on both theient sort. What is taught in
University and the state of
; Nebraska, he later said that
; he was partly to blame.
Returning to the theme of
the discussion, Avery said it
I must be emphasized that the
, , .... 7
jroiession ot politics is a
very honorable one.
Assuming that politics is
bad is a popular misconcep
tion, Lowell H. Hummel, state
chairman of the N e b r a s k a
YOUng Republicans. Said. "Mv!
activities in politics h a v e
proven that it is not corrupt.
As a human activity there is
bound to be sin, however."
John Reiser, president of
the University of Nebraska
Young Republicans, feels that
politics is losing some of the I
stigma "which has been at-
tached to it since time began."
I
Thic cama vinu' u-ac av1
pressed by Clair A. C a 1 1 a n,
U.S. Representative from Ne-!
uidSKd, no sam mai poimcs, enter politics will never be
as a profession now has a cleared up until we can solve
better public image than it the problem of where candi
has ever had before. ! dates g e t their money," he
said.
Put the basic problem un- These two forces informa
derlying young people's re-1 tion about the realities of poll
luctance to consider politics as, tics, and public forums so
a profession, even with en- young people can present
couragement from teachers their views will be influ
and politicians, was expressed encial in changing the politi
by Jasper Shannon, political : Cal scene, Shannon believes,
science professor at the t'ni-!
versity of Nebraska. "The,
(jiii-Miuii is, iiuw uo yuu eai
until you become a states
man?',' he said.
However, Hummel said that
limited means does not ex
clude political activity, but "it
certainly adds difficulty. I'm
speaking specifically about a
person interested in public of
fice because this requires ex
posure to many voters. In
order to accomplish this, one
must be away from a job, an
indirect cost, and also spend
money traveling over the
state, a direct cost."
Shannon also listed several
possible solutions for solving
this basic problem. Some pro-1
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grams are already in ef
fect, such as the National Ci
vic Foundation internship pro
grams, which allow young
people to work in govern
ment offices for a period of
time.
In the current situation,
Shannon also suggested that
young people could train to
be political science teachers,
and then obtain political sci
ence training scholarships for
further study. This would
open the door to a political ca
reer, he feels.
The Federal Government
has nlen tnLoti cfene a krlnn
a n n nunid -wi.,
j participation into the govern-
m.nt. The White Hons Pml
lows Program, formerly fi
nanced by the Carnegie Cor
poration, was announced by
President Johnson in 1M4.
A search was conducted to
find fifteen Individuals be
tween the ages of 23 and 35,
who would participate in the
Federal Government at t h e
highest level for a period of
one year, after which t h ey
would be expected to return
to private life. They serve for
a year either in the W h i t e
House or in one of the ten
Executive Departments work
ing directly with the respec
tive Cabinet officers.
No results of the effective
ness of this program are
available, and it will not solve
the "money problem," but it
make contacts with high gov
ernment officials.
In his book, "Money in Poli
tics," Shannon suggests the
possibility of subsidizing pub
lic information programs
on radio and television. Al
though subsidization wnM
not receive general support,
ne neiieves that forums, joint
debates and discussions would
Five vnunff scnlrlntf u,lltU..
r.. frviiMvianB
the nnnnrtnnitv t mot. k.
selves fceV
without a rreat di t I
pense
" !
Shannon also stated that it
"is very essential to have
more education of a differ.
schools todav is too often
glorification of the Constitu
tion and the Bill of Rights,
and an idealization of the
democratic process."
What must be taught is an
"nii5 vi wie wurK-
lno nf th
political parties in evervdav
life, he said. "If people under.
stood why monev is needed In
politics, they would not be so
apt to say, 'Me give money to
rrnnlrc?' hn hA
y support a party."
At first public knowledge of
i w invite j im used in ft--,vww
iDoIltirc miM mti .k.n. i.iness. according to Marsh. "It
operations of political parties
but as more people become
involved, they will demand an
open accounting of party
functions, Shannon pointed
out. .
rri. . 1 1 . .
1Ie py0r puDuc image ot
politics and the problem of
encouraging young people to
A novel and experimental
approach to teaching history
in order to bring this informa
tion about political realities
to young students is being
taken by a Lincoln history
teacher. He Is Tens Donglas,
history teacher at L I e I n
Southeast High School.
"We start at the back of
the book, and work toward
the front. Too often in his
tory classes, students are
never taught about anything
more current than World
War I because the semes
ter comes to an end. This year
I have concentrated on politi
cal structure. We emphasized
tne presidential election last
fall, and its relationship to
NATIONAL
BANK OF COMMERCE
the rest of the political struc
ture," Deuglas said.
Douglas attempt to isjch
his students to understand the
nature of the American po
litical system, and to e h a 1
lenge their political ideas and
beliefs. "I try to get them not
to accept things at their
face value," he said.
"I think we underestimate
young people's ability to han
dle information about the po
litical system. Everyone, in
cluding high school students,
is more politically astute than
we were a few years ago."
Although Douglas is firmly
convinced of the value of his
methods, and actively works
to encourage other teachers
to accept them, he says he be
comes discouraged because
he f i n d I teachers cynical
about politics. "The cynical
attitude of American youth
reflects the attitude of cynical
teachers." he said.
Douglas attributes interest
in political groups and causes
to more knowledge about
pouues, out n emphasizes
that more education is needed
to establish a clear view of
the political process
Someone ence asked former
Senate Chaplain Edward
uveren Hale if he prayed for
the Senators. "No," Rale re
plied. "I look at the Senators
and pray for the eovntry."
Secretary of State Frank
Marsh points out that govern
ment has changed. The idea
of government used to be that
it was the last resting place
tor people who couldn't make
it in any other profession.
But today, fovernment is "A
highly competitive entity of
economic business. Govern
ment must compete with pri
vate industry for the best in
011 uy V . ? P"DUC na.snt
brains, talent and administra
keui ud wan mis pnanw ne
said.
Can and should young peo
ple be educated and trained
to be professional politicians?
Governor Morrison replies
that "there can be no question
that politics and government
have been victimized by an
unfortunate few. It is our re
sponsibility to first root out
these unworthy people and
men extoi tne virtues of this
area professionally. It is a
most worthy profession that
direly needs the talents and
enmusiasm ot our young.
An eld saying goes, "Poll
tics Is perhaps the only pro
fession for which no repara
tion is thought necessary."
iPo,,t,c 11 characterized by
tak shrewd person to rep-
ment the Popl'. ! tactful
"gachHuners 9 t h e
" the people. Yea, we
ctB J'eung people to
be polUiclai in the sense that
we need capable administra-
4am i .
" w"iiea govern-
"al policy. We do need to
prednce more Individuals like
this," he continued.
Representative Callan said,
"I wouldl most certainly en
courage young people to train
for politics as a profession.
It has become increasingly
clear that politics involves
the whole range of the usual
school subject matter from
science of the most Involved
types to broad social sci
ence subjects. Therefore, the
traditional liberal arts back
ground plus education in the
hows and whys of politics it
self would be the best back
ground one could obtain."
Oplnion$ differ as to when
political education should be
gin in schools. More about
politics as a profession could
be taught in high schools, but
not in elementary schools,
Reiser said. "Let me say that
politics is not learned from a
book. The only way to learn
politics is to become involved
in it and to be willing to per
form a multitude of rather
uninteresting tasks before big
opportunities present them
selves." However, Callan believes
Profession?
that teaching of politics and
government should begin at
the earliest possible age, al
though elementary school
youngsters would not be
ready for analysis of political
science.
P h I li p Sorensen, lieuten
ant governor, believes that
politics in the sense of the art
of government should be
taught at all ages of formal
training. He considers politics
the method by which leader
ship in government is chos
en policy established, and by
which government governs.
"Certain phases of this ma
chinery or method should be
taught at every grade level."
However, Sorensen noted
that most people think of poli
tics as limited to the method
of choosing government
al leadership. Since this is
true, he said, "Ithlnk poli
tics should be included in the
curriculum as early as social
studies are included."
Grade school is the place to
begin teaching the responsi
bilities required of a citizen in
a democracy, Hummel em
phasized. "Participation on
the foundation of intelligence
by individuals is the only hope
for a lasting democracy. Cur
riculum should contain basic
government structural Infor
mation as well as philosophi
cal foundations," he said.
Marsh is not sure that
young people can be educated
about the duties of public offi
cials. He said young people
must seek out answers if they
wish to know more about poli
tics. "Too many people just
accept things we must devel
op a fact-finding attitude in
our young people, and this can
be done in school," he said.
What effects would educa
tion of young people have on
the profession of politics?
Hummel answers that educa
tion in politics will certainly
contribute to the building of
better standards in politics.
To raise the opinion of poli
tics in the minds of young
people and the general" pub
lic, the simple answer would
be to love thy neighbor as
thyself, he said. "If this were
done, the negative persuasion
would be non-existant. Politi
cal parties can erase the bad
image by fielding the finest of
men and women for public of
fice." Reiser said that since noliti-
cal professionals nrovide the
leadership for the nation, he
i t . . .
Deueves people's opinions of
DOlitiCS will "varv in rfirert
relationship to their opinon of
mer leaaersnip. As to their
opinion of politics completely
divorced from personalities, I
aon t think much can be done
about that."
Callan agreed that often
people's interest in politics is
in "direct proportion to their
interest in a specific public
poacy question. This is not as
true as it used to be since
many questions now are of
concern to a wide range of
the population. I think educa
tion has had quite a bit to
do with this trend and would
encourage such education,"
he said.
He also noted that politics
Is the process through which
the public does the things it
wants done, and "the more
understanding of this process,
on a wide scale, the m r
likely we are to do what the
people want done. Education
is certainly at the forefront
in getting more people to un
derstand the process."
Hummel u.-1-mll a
, ,, " " "6' ecu Willi
William E. Gladsonte, who
wrote in 1889, "I always ad
mired the saying that politics
and theolopv were tvi 1 ..
a ., w w ... V. U 11 1 V
two really great subjects."
iiuuuiiei resiaiea it tnis way
"When you stop to think
about forces in our lives, gov
ernment is second only to
one's religion."
Would educati
tics raise the standards of
professionalism in politics'
Working politicians, and
young people just entering the
4601
political world, both came to
the defense of politics In re
ply. Roth parties run candidates
that are dedicated to serving
the public, Hummel said. He
called for total participation
in public affairs to raise the
good quality of public officials
to "greater heights." "Young
people must be convinced of
the effect of legislation on
their future lives, even though
they are not franchised to
vote." The type of education
is not all important for a
young person who wishes to
enter the field of politics, but
rather the "desire to learn
and apply ones talents is the
important stimulation," he
said.
Young people should parti
cipate in politics to further
their own philosophy of gov
ernment and politics, and not
merely for the idea of lifting
standards "which are no low.
er than those of any other
business one might chose to
enter."
Sorensen did feel that teach
ine about the function and on.
eration of politics would en.
courage interest in voting,
and more active participation
of the general public in pub
lic affairs.
However, an opposing view
point was expressed by Rei
ser, a young worker in party
affairs, who thinks an exten
sive program of political edu-
cation in the school systems
would have "little or no" ef
feet on voting and interest in
government affairs.
"People would continue to
motivate themselves bv their
reaction to the status quo," he
said. "If things seem to be
going well, vote for the 'ins;'
if not, vote for the outs."
What leads to an interest in
politics among young people
wnen iney are not encouraged
in scnooi :
Reiser became involved in
politics when he w as seven
years old, through his grand
mother, who was Clerk of
Court in Lake County, South
Dakota. He joined the Univer
sity Young Republican's al
most immediately after arriv
ing on campus for his fresh
man year.
He intends to remain active
in Republican affairs as long
as he feels he can be useful,
and adds that, should the par
ty decide he could be of help
on a full-time basis, he would
become involved in that way.
"Politics is acceptable as a
career to anyone who is will
ing tO WOrk that hard " Reiser
continued. "Perhaps it would
ue more accepiaoie it it were
made easier work, but I do
not, for one minute, favor
that. Politics is not a dirty
business. If you want to work "
long hours and are willing to
give of yourself, von ran nar-
ticipale in political activity
without shaming yourself."
He said that young people
must participate in politics
along party lines, and a young
person who thinks he U not is
being "just plain foolish. No
matter what any pressure
group or so-called 'indepen
dent' thinkers may say, poli
tics is the art of accomplish
ment and the accomplishment
vehicles are the two major
political parties."
Disagreement with the po
litical philosophy of the Dem
ocratic party was one reason
which led to Hummel's in
volvement in Young Republic
affairs in 1960.
He was also encouraged to
participate in estahlishintr a
Young Republican Club In
jenerson County. He antici
pated that farming would nnf
"consume my total energy
u puuucai activity present
ed a challenge." Politics was
also a freauent suhieot fnr ta
ble conversation with his fam
ily.
'Mv exnerienre in nniiti
has been most rewarding. I
ieei mai progress has been
made in many of the areas of
political activity," he added.
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