Last week, a number of student organizations attempted to protest, as well as question U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., as she spoke at an interactive panel for youth involvement and political issues. The student organizations, including the Campus Antiwar Network, the International Socialists Organization and Students for Nader, fervently question Baldwin's decision to support the economic bailout plan in congress.
When asked of her decision to support the initial bill, Baldwin explained, I felt the responsibility to act. I didn't think inaction was acceptable ... I think it was the right vote to take for the constituents that I represented.""
The student groups have every right to question Baldwin's decision, a decision she received many phone calls railing against and one of the few times she has decided in opposition to her constituents.
However, these studentsgroups picked the wrong forum in which to profess their grievances. Project Youthanize sponsored the panel discussion, and the discussion was meant to focus on youth voting issues, not Tammy Baldwin's role in the economic bailout bill. Baldwin, however, was optimistic about the protesters and their qualms.
""Hopefully we left with the protesters having a greater understanding of the content of the bill, a recognition that I knew it was flawed, that it wasn't a perfect response, but why I reached the conclusion that I needed to vote yes,"" Baldwin said in an interview on Monday.
In addition, Baldwin offered students and constituents a chance to discuss the economic bailout in greater detail, as she visited Chadbourne Residential College Monday evening to talk issues with area citizens.
Baldwin may have crossed partisan lines and acted in opposition of the majority views of her constituents, but she has made herself available and accountable for her decision to support the bill. Students, whether her constituents or not, must respect Baldwin's decision to act rather than wait, as well as accepting responsibility for her vote. She has been accepting of criticism, yet firm in her stance in support of the bailout bill.
Protesters and constituents have a right to express their opinions, but consider the time and place to express these frustrations. Baldwin not only defended her claim but also acknowledged others' hesitant attitudes.
""It's important for me to hear the frustration of people who are unhappy with my vote,"" Baldwin said Monday.
It will be even more important if she did indeed misstep, but for now, Baldwin deserves the benefit of the doubt for her active efforts to do what she thought best for not only Wisconsin, but the nation as a whole.
