We’re taking a break from our print edition next week so that the staff can enjoy Halloween for the first time in four years. That makes this our last issue before election day (we’ll return Wednesday, November 7). With that said, it bears repeating that this is one of the most crucial elections in recent history, as our world is rapidly changing each day. While some countries have changed power and reconstructed their governments over the last four years, here at home citizens protest for change but opt to hang back when change is a possibility. Americans are either angry or they’re too apathetic. Laziness and ignorance regarding our government is burning any hope of a positive move forward.

We were disappointed to see the vast number of empty seats at yesterday’s student debate between the Suffolk Republicans, Libertarians, and Democrats. Not only do students seem lackluster about this country’s future, but one of the panelists in the debate hadn’t even heard of candidate Gary Johnson until the day of. This is extremely unfortunate for a school directly across from the building where one of the candidates worked for four years. Scratch that. This is extremely unfortunate for our generation.

There are things called called priorities. Seriously, this is a disgrace. Why does it seem like so many students just don’t care? Help your fellow Americans. Do you think your vote doesn’t count at all? Great — it’s people like you that let our government sell out to Wall Street. There’s a third-party debate on as we write this. If you’re not watching it — how do you know you’re voting for the right candidate?

“I would have never signed the NDAA – that’s the reason we fought wars in this country!” said Gary Johnson, Libertarian Candidate for President. If you don’t know what the NDAA is, look it up and be prepared to poop your pants. The silencing of third-party candidates is one of the greatest slaps in the face to democracy. New ideas and solutions are out there if you search for them, but our world is way too distracting. It’s easier to just ignore it all, but is it worth it in the end?

Realize that we’re living on Earth during a very important time. The Internet is connecting the world, allowing ideas to spread faster than ever before. Don’t abuse it — use it to better yourself. In the long run, realize that we’re the first generation to really grow up with it — do we really want our legacy to be one of dumbed-down reality television and exploitations? We here at The Journal urge you all to educate yourselves in the coming weeks before the election. We urge you to vote and take part in what should have been an informed election. It’s your civic duty. So say we all.