In March 2002, Gordon T. Gnome was elected president of the University of Illinois' student government. If this name sounds a bit unusual, or perhaps even made-up, that's because it is. Gordon T. Gnome is a fictional cartoon character, created by a member of The Daily Illini staff. This cartoon character received 2,632 votes in the election, defeating the next ticket by exactly 600 votes.

I laughed for nearly a week after I heard about this coup at our fellow Big Ten university. After I finished laughing, I realized this was in fact a representation of the disillusionment of our generation -- a disillusionment in authority, even if it is our peers in these positions of authority.

The student body at Illinois had little faith in the effectiveness of their student government. This was more
than likely a justifiable attitude.

As a reminder to readers, I served as Undergraduate Student Government (USG) vice president during the 2002-2003 schoolyear.

That being said, student governments at major universities have become little more than blockbuster filler material for a résumé. Passion is artificially created to get elected. Platform goals are selected by their palatability within the student body, instead of how they might realistically influence the university. Personal motivations and agendas overcome the common needs of student bodies. Essentially, student government has become the evil stepchild of real politics.

It's no wonder that people are disillusioned. This disillusionment has manifested itself at Penn State in the most pathetic excuse for a USG Senate race in recent memory. Only 12 candidates are running for 27 seats. This means that the majority of seats will be filled by people who didn't even care to throw their hat into the ring of competitive democracy.

If only somebody would come along with a new vision for change. Unfortunately, I don't think that somebody exists -- so, let me create that somebody.

At the risk of sounding completely unoriginal, I would like to officially start the write-in campaign for Ima Bullsheetr.

Bullsheetr is the inspirational leader that the USG Senate needs. Bullsheetr, a senior majoring in international politics, believes that Senate should be eradicated from the face of this planet.

Bullsheetr's platform is idealistic and simple. He is running so that he can have a solid line on his résumé that will get him into a good law school. Bullsheetr doesn't give a damn about the state of the student body. He only wants to exercise his powers as a senator to arbitrarily hand out -- or more likely, deny -- money to groups that come to USG for funding at his personal whim. Ima Bullsheetr promises to file a brief in the USG Supreme Court against any passed legislation that even hints at Senate taking some sort of action.

Bullsheetr will use his superior knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order to confuse anyone who stands against him. Bullsheetr plans on giving lip service to the important issues, and then doing nothing once the time for action draws near. Bullsheetr has already made it apparent that he will complain that students don't lobby enough. He will even go so far as to fund a bus to Harrisburg. And once the big lobbying day arrives, Bullsheetr has already announced that he has an emergency Fitness for Life quiz that will prohibit him from actually lobbying.

My fellow Penn Staters, it is time that we rise up against the vile and aimless Senate. It is time that we elect Ima Bullsheetr to the Senate. We should not merely elect him, we should do so in outstanding fashion. It is time that Ima Bullsheetr receives the most votes of anyone running for Senate.

The revolution will be led by Ima Bullsheetr.

The victory of Ima Bullsheetr will send a loud and clear message to USG that perhaps our student government is alienating us.

Our elected student representatives seem to get very comfortable in their second floor HUB sanctuary, forgetting that there is a world of problems and issues affecting the lives of everyone at Penn State. It is a tough position to be in. It's unfortunate the inaction by the majority of USG overpowers that done by the few who actually give a damn.

The internal politics of this organization often destroy any momentum gained on issues that could affect our everyday lives. Instead, members -- usually in the Senate or the Academic Assembly -- take their personal agenda and place it above all else, doing everything in their power to stop any idea that doesn't fit into their narrow view of this university.

This attitude must stop, and what better way to stop it than through utter embarrassment. Ima Bullsheetr's victory will deliver such embarrassment. Furthermore, this election should be flooded with winners that don't belong in USG.

Here is my challenge to you:

Get together with your friends and choose someone you know to be your write-in candidate and then vote for him or her.

Most importantly, on March 31, write in Ima Bullsheetr as your candidate and make the USG Senate appear to be as illegitimate as it truly is.