I was thinking about writing this letter after last week's column by Nick Barbash, but decided against it. But after opening my Thursday edition of the Daily Cardinal to find a repeat of two weeks ago (\The left does it right"" Opinion Column, Sept. 23), I decided I must write.
Nick Barbash, I agree with 95 percent of your politics, but I disagree 67 percent with your approach. The reason I say this is because two of your last three columns have been highly partisan attacks on the Republican party which serve no purpose but to further divide and alienate people from the political process. I was pleasantly surprised to read a well-written and convincing column last week about Washington D.C. statehood, an issue, by the way, which your beloved Democratic party has done very little to champion. Unfortunately, the week before that, as well as this week, you have squandered your opportunity as a progressive columnist and instead decided to act as a corporate attack dog for the Democratic party machine.
I look forward to seeing more articles that constructively and progressively engage the issues. Articles that build an antiwar movement to demand an end to the illegal occupation of Iraq or fighting racism, classism, sexism, militarism, imperialism, and corporate power. Please refrain from such mindless partisan attacks in the future, because they only reflect poorly on the progressive movement and make us look hypocritical.
In addition, many of the things you blame the Republicans for, the Democrats are equally guilty of. A true progressive must overcome partisanship and the blinding effects it has in our corporate political system, and instead work to move forward a positive progressive agenda for a better future.
Bill Anderson
UW-Madison sophomore
George Bush's failed health care policies have taken our country in completely the wrong direction. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, families have been paying a record 64 percent more on health insurance premiums. Deductibles have increased by nearly two-thirds and prescription drug co-pays have increased more than 50 percent.
It is extremely important to me, and to all the other students I know that Americans can have access to have affordable health care. This isn't right. Part of being American is the comfort of knowing your country is on your side. It doesn't feel like that anymore.
George Bush's policies speak for themselves. He only looks out for the rich, the powerful, the white, and those who are most likely to support his campaign.
George Bush doesn't care about the rest of us. An administration that pays more attention to greedy corporations than struggling American families is an outrage. It's time to take back our country.
In November, I'm voting for a man who values average Americans. I'm voting for a man who values health care and education. I'm voting for a man who can make things right. I'm voting for John Kerry.
Jenny Larson
UW-Madison freshman
