The younger generation seems more interested in entertainment when getting their news. Rather than a serious study of politics that affect their lives, they turn to individuals like Jon Stewart to entertain them with comedic renditions, thereby losing sight of the real issues.

College students need to become more involved and informed with politics and should not use The Daily Show, hosted by Stewart, as their primary source of information. Stewart may interview politicians and appear to be a news commentary show, but the show centers on a comedic interpretation of politics and our national news.

Stewart is not a political analyst, he just “plays” one on TV. However, almost 1 ½ million viewers end up at Comedy Central nightly. When surfing channels, many skip legitimate news programs because it may be considered dull and boring. Stewart sucessfully pulls in a mass audience with his comical political format and handsome smile. The combo captures a vast audience and may seem like an alternative, but he is more concerned with his own popularity than the country’s future.

The Daily Show belittles the US political system and may actually deter voting. According to Washington Post Columnist, Richard Morin, two political scientists found that young people who watch Stewart’s faux news program develop cynical views about politics and politicians that could lead them to just say no to voting. What most teens forget is that they actually have a say in how the country is run, both local and national. Developing a distaste and mocking our political system is no reason to distance oneself from the process.

Voting is our right to take an active part in changing the political landscape. If citizens are unhappy with political players, the country’s laws, regulations and restrictions are then imperative. One should never miss out on the voting process. It gives an individual an opportunity to express their right to free speech. Living in a democracy is a privilege and it sets us apart from many countries. We can play a role in the solidarity, prosperity and security of our country’s future. You cannot complain about the state of our government if you are not even registered to vote.

There is a difference between being a political analyst a political and activist. A political analyst begins with a balanced approach and then sifts through information to find truth. A political activist often picks a side and argues to influence the majority opinion that may not already be accepted by the mass.

Protests to the Vietnam War began on college campuses in 1964. By 1967, polls indicated, due to student activism, a majority of Americans were opposed to the war and wanted it to end. College students were successful as political activists by rallying for US officials to end the war. Undeniably, their voices were heard.

Stewart has no voice or focus as far as politics. However, he uses politics to fool some into thinking he knows about the political arena. But he is not trying to bring about change and has no goal other than maintaining his wide audience.

Shows like The Daily Show, Letterman, Mad TV and Saturday Night Live all poke fun at politics but they are in a business to entertain, not inform. Most would not even consider tuning into Saturday Night Live to determine who they were going to vote for in the next election.

However, Stewart has caught the attention of many and if he is indeed crossed over and part of the political media, he has an obligation to inform and enlighten the public about social and/or political change. At this point in time, he fails as a so-called political analyst or activist by providing his so-called “fake news”.

Remember, Stewart is a stand-up comedian. He may never change his format because he makes his living off of humor. His remarks on national television have no positive effect on U.S. administration policies. In fact, his comically negative discourse about President Bush’s decreasing national approval ratings only fuels negative world-wide opinion which makes the U.S. seem more like a dysfunctional country than a world-wide super-power.

Tim Russert is an alternative for those wanting to hear the truth about politics.

His Sunday-morning interview show invites serious candidates with serious platforms. Meet the Press specializes in interviewing national leaders on issues of state, economics and foreign policy. Guests are challenged on actual facts and allegations. Unlike The Daily show, Meet the Press fulfills the obligation of providing a public service to the community.

According to the US Census Bureau, 80 % of 18-24 year olds failed to vote in the last presidential election. Stewart’s audience fits into this age group and there is no doubt the audience loves him. However, he fails his audience by not presenting a balanced approach to the political process. Poking fun at our political players encourages his younger audience to further distance themselves from the process.

Young people are the future of this country, and arguably the most important voters, yet they remain the least represented. Maybe they have bought into Stewart’s rhetoric that politics are full of misgivings and will never change. Teens already believe their participation resolves nothing. However, things could change if he could promote and point out that the beauty of our nation is freedom and citizens can do something about huge issues within our nation.

We have the right to vote and one vote counts just as much as any other, even the President’s. What makes this country so great is that every American adult citizen has the right to laugh, even at our top leaders.

Active voices can and has promote change throughout time. Students should become more involved in the political system and participate by running out to cast ballots. Without active involvement, democracy will fail.

Stewart touts the show’s format still serves a public interest by informing the populace of world-wide hypocrisies. However, ridiculing serious matters and using slap-stick comedy is only a distraction technique used to fool American’s from what is really going on in the real world.

If you’re interested in the national political arena, do not rely on Stewart’s passive approach to our political system. He doesn’t hold politicians accountable, just merely pokes fun at them and we should not rely on comedy to explain politics.

Stewart may be funny on television, but he appeals to a self-selected audience that reminds him often of his greatness. If he had a platform in Washington, he would be playing to a different crowd and his laughs would not get him very far.

With all of its imperfections, the “Stewart-effect” points out that our political system has its flaws. Whether conservative or liberal, young or old, everyone should get out and vote.