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College Democrats fire back

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by Letters to the Editor

Friday, September 14, 2007

In yesterday's Badger Herald, Jack Garigliano wrote a column ("College Dems do it dirty") criticizing the College Democrats and our ability to focus on the issues facing Americans today. We believe that Mr. Garigliano is right to call on students to become more active in forming their own political opinions, and, as Mr. Garigliano put it, students should be wary of "rallying under a banner without critically examining what it stands for." However, we believe that the College Democrats is an appropriate forum in which to do so.

Mr. Garigliano points to last year's College Democrats kickoff and insists that the speakers were nothing more than pomp and talking points. However, last year's speakers indeed spoke convincingly and powerfully on financial aid, the Wisconsin Covenant, voting rights, and stem cell research — all of which are important to Wisconsin students.

At this year's kickoff, state Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, did a wonderful job of clearly indicating the difference between Wisconsin Democrats and Republicans with a frank discussion of the state budget. He made it clear that Democratic legislators are facing stiff opposition to funding the University of Wisconsin System, and therefore, the very university that Mr. Garigliano attends.

Further, Mr. Garigliano must not be aware that the first two events on the College Democrats' agenda are cosponsored by the College Republicans. The staunch partisanship that Mr. Garigliano alludes to seems absent in the face of this collaboration.

Take heed, Mr. Garigliano, College Democrats are united around the progressive ideas behind the candidate, not the letter behind the name.

Suchita Shah (shah2@wisc.edu)

Vice Chair, UW-Madison College Democrats

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Anonymous (September 14, 2007 @ 1:29am):

Jack doesn't know Jack.

Anonymous (September 14, 2007 @ 9:09am):

More College Dems have dealt with this issue on their weblog: wisc.wiscollegedems.org/blog

Anonymous (September 14, 2007 @ 9:10am):

Suchita Shah strikes again.. this time as a female?

Anonymous (September 14, 2007 @ 4:02pm):

Let's face it, much of what the Dem base is rallied behind is discontent with Bush, and any "new" policy proposals are simply aimed to control the fire. There haven't been profoundly new projects in years, nothing to really change the shape of the country. And anything "radical" that comes up is quickly shot down. Health care was killed through Hillary selling out, and MIGHT come up under Obama or the other right-of-center democrats. Most are only posturing on Iraq, saying what they need to to mobilize the base, without meaning it (See Obama's comments on Iran).

There is no attempt to do more than correct the path we've taken the last 7 years, or do just enough to pick up liberal and corporate donations. They can blow all the hot air they want and throw some dollars at poverty, education, health care, etc... but at the same time they embrace the very system that creates the problems we see today. Despite what Sean Hannity says, there is no "left" in politics today (save 2 or 3), but two "rights."

And given how unproductive the Senate majority Dems have been, two rights make a wrong.

Mike Pruden (September 15, 2007 @ 1:38am):

Oooooh. College Dems got the last word! Let's all celebrate and get drunk on their victoly!

For once I want to listen to someone who doesn't simply prey on emotion. What the Dems are doing aren't making them anymore viable than the same Republicans they're condemning.

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