In the city of Madison, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of political beliefs. For conservative students, this may come as a surprise.
How many times have your professors made left-of-center comments during lecture? How many of these comments had nothing to do with the course material? How many times has our university hosted speakers like Michael Moore, who openly makes vile statements about conservatives? How many of these speakers were funded by your student fees?
The College Republicans offer a much-needed escape from the liberal chaos of Madison for both graduate students and undergraduates. Members' views range from conservative to moderate to libertarian, and anyone who has a passion for politics is welcome.
The College Republicans are known as the "best party on campus." Not only are we right on every issue, we also know how to have a good time. The College Republicans work hard and play hard, all while doing our utmost to spread the Republican message on campus and elect our candidates.
Over the past few years, we have strengthened our voice on campus. We are 2,000 strong and ready to start this year with a bang. This fall semester will be action packed. Our main focus is electing Republican candidates for governor, attorney general and Congress.
As Republicans, we believe that America is the land of the free, and this election is about regaining our freedoms. As students, we first and foremost want to stand up for our access to education. Since taking office in 2003, Governor Jim Doyle has allowed resident undergraduate tuition to increase by 52 percent. Tuition is simply not affordable, and students fall into early debt because they lack other options.
These same students increasingly make the difficult decision to leave the state after graduation. But who can blame them? The non-partisan, Washington, D.C. based Tax Foundation ranks Wisconsin's state and local tax burden seventh in the U.S., undoubtedly stifling economic development and career opportunities for young professionals.
State residents, particularly students, deserve a break. The only breaks Gov. Doyle has delivered have gone to special interest groups, such as teachers' unions and trial lawyers. Meanwhile, taxpayers have paid, with Gov. Doyle earning the distinction of being the only governor in the state of Wisconsin to average a deficit of an astonishing $2 billion per year. With his track record of fiscal responsibility and ethics, Congressman Mark Green provides a refreshing alternative.
We also deserve to have leaders we can admire and respect. From driving state vehicles under the influence to being scolded by a federal appeals court for failing to adhere to basic rules of decorum that most mock trial teams comprehend, Peg Lautenschlager has embarrassed the state with her gross mismanagement of the office of attorney general. Both Paul Bucher and J.B. Van Hollen possess the character and competence needed to restore much-needed integrity to this office.
This state needs a change in leadership, and it can start with our efforts right here on campus. We have a kick-off meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in Grainger Hall. Two phenomenal speakers will join us. Keith Gilkes, the chairman of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, will lay out our battle plan to elect Republicans statewide. Brett Davis — the youngest Republican legislator in the capitol at age 27 and an inspiration to all the young politicos within our club — will also offer his remarks.
The College Republicans may never convince every student — or even a majority of students — to attend meetings and work for the Republican cause on campus and in our state, but we hope to encourage the true "sifting and winnowing" that this university claims to advocate.
When students arrive at the University of Wisconsin, they are pushed to explore new ideas and challenge the status quo. Why, then, is it that the majority of students fall lockstep into the liberal mentality prevalent on this campus?
We urge you to examine why you associate yourself with one political party over another. If you don't know why you call yourself a liberal, maybe it is time to take a step back and evaluate the beliefs and ideals of each party. More often then not, once people stop to think with their minds instead of their emotions, they become Republicans.
Erica Christenson ([email protected]) is the chair of the College Republicans.