The current controversy and confusion in regards to the change of tax policy for certain graduate student is a result of some pathetic democratic processes.

As graduate researchers consider "appropriate" responses to this unwanted bureaucratic morass, perhaps a quick example from ancient history is in order to help us understand the idealistic relationship of research and democratic government.

In theory, research should be based on an unending dialectical process, a process that was brilliantly mastered by Socrates, as told to us by Plato. Interestingly, Socrates consistently refused to participate in the Athenian democratic political process.

For example, he says in the Apology, "The true champion of justice if he intends to survive even for a short time, must necessarily confine himself to private life." Shortly after Socrates said these immortal words, the democratic process of Athens executed him.

Unfortunately, many years after the foolish execution of Socrates, sublime life of research continues to be interrupted by the unwanted intrusions of political whims. Although many might see an "apathetic" response to the current intrusion by our government as negative, an "apathetic" response is actually positive if the "apathy" results from a belief that participation in the political process hinders more pristine endeavors to find truth and justice.

The power of graduate students is not ultimately found in the politics of 305 Kern, but rather in ideas which may or may not be relevant to any political processes that encase us.

Is it not noble to resist the temptation to become enchanted with politics? Would Socrates' response to the current tax morass be an "apathetic' response? Maybe someday the cash registers which bind our lives will finally be thrown into the garbage cans where they ideally belong.