Thompson accusations incorrect, deceiving
Eric Kleefeld's column (""Third parties offer way of rebellion against conformity,"" March 7) was a mess of lies and distortion.
First, he claimed Ed Thompson did not address issues important to students, like tuition or the economy. In fact, Thompson supports freezing tuition with inflation and making sure a quality education is available at an affordable cost. He believes the best way to improve Wisconsin's economy is eliminating waste and corruption in state government.
Kleefeld also claimed Thompson's main plank is barroom gambling, which is completely false. He was just relating the story of how he first got involved in politics. That is akin to saying Jim Doyle's main plank is law school or McCallum's main plank is doing nothing while receiving a six-figure salary and state perks.
Finally, Kleefeld implied that he emphasizes 'leftist' issues on campus, while running on a conservative platform. But, as Kleefeld said himself, Thompson does not come across as a politician. He says what he thinks'not what he thinks will get him elected as governor.
In fact, Thompson is more of a centrist. He looks at the merits of the issue, not what party higher-ups tell him to think. His platform is composed of some of the best ideas from all ideologies, as well as some new ideas of his own. If you must put a label on Ed Thompson, his ideology is common sense.
