Monday night the College Republicans publicly debated the College Democrats.

Great.

No, really.

Sure we’ve all seen enough political debates to know the routine: People show up with an agenda, audience members already have their minds made up on a topic, few people budge and everyone leaves feeling like the other side “doesn’t quite get it.”

But that doesn’t make this traditional forum any less important.

The open exchange of ideas is vital to fostering and maintaining a society of free thinkers. And the open exchange of informed and researched ideas is even more important.

What made this interaction even more enjoyable and beneficial to students was the university-centric subject matter. Granted, the panel discussed national issues such as purchasing prescription drugs from Canada, but the students participating in the event often stuck to what they know best: college students.

When debating a national issue that hits as closely to home as school vouchers, it is refreshing to see those involved in student politics representing both the voice of students and politicians.

That is when these forums work. When the voices in the crowd are directly represented by the voices in front of the crowd — by both belief and lot in life.

Kudos to the College Republicans and the College Democrats for realizing their strong points and tailoring the discussion toward it.

Now if only third, fourth and fifth parties could find their ways into these debates it would really represent the student body.

Our voice

The staff editorial represents the opinion of the Northern Star editorial board.