Mention Madison, Wisconsin to any conservative in the Midwest and it's sure to elicit a reaction. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in how liberal the UW campus is, and unfortunately it's been difficult to combat it. In the past, it's been a struggle to locate the conservative presence anywhere in Madison.
Fortunately, this year has been a totally fresh start for the College Republicans with the election of senior Crystal Lee as chairman of the organization. This past summer, Lee interned with the College Republican National Committee, where she gained extensive information on how to effectively organize, recruit and govern the organization.
Membership retention through heavy freshman recruiting and an effective communications network will be a key focus of Lee and the College Republicans this fall. If you are a freshman, we encourage you to become involved in the organization. You will not regret the numerous volunteer, internship and political involvementopportunities we have to offer.
The College Republicans have also agreed to shift the political focus away from social issues that were predominantly highlighted in the past by the organization to an agenda that generates more awareness about the current economic issues facing the U.S. The Executive Board has agreed that now, more than ever, students need to be aware of fiscally responsible ideas and why they are a better fit for the nation. Look for a College Republican organization that will appeal more to the ‘Center-Right' mainstream conservative, a position much more in line with many of the conservatives on campus. We will begin to do this by talking about the economic issues facing this great nation and how GOP ideals will help solve it.
The UW College Republicans believe in lower taxes for all Wisconsin families and lower government spending to assist this goal. This request has never been more needed. Governor Doyle and state Democrats are proposing to spend $3.64 billion more in the new budget, which represents a 6.2 percent increase in spending over the base budget and a total of $62.24 billion in 2009-2011. To offset this, Doyle is taxing everything from phone calls to hospital stays. In addition, families that are already having trouble keeping their homes can expect an additional 3.3 percent to 4.1 percent increase in property taxes because of Doyle's budget.
UW College Republicans also believe in lower taxes for businesses, small and large alike, which would provide for more capital for them to work with and more jobs. All across the nation, but particularly in Wisconsin, this is much needed. Forbes magazine recently released the states with the best and worst climates for business growth. Wisconsin, with Doyle at the helm, has managed to slip to number 43. Wages are now 85 percent that of the national average. The unemployment rate is near 9 percent and is continuing to rise, with companies like Harley-Davidson laying off hundreds of workers this past summer. Large companies such as General Motors continue to leave the state for places like Michigan, which offers a 5.5 percent tax on corporate income. This is in comparison to Wisconsin's high 8 percent tax.
Federal fiscal policy will be on the agenda as well. As new versions of the national health-care bill are released during the new session of Congress in the coming weeks, our organization will present information students should know before making their decision on whether the program is in their best interests or not. And of course, lower federal spending and taxes are something students need to rise in support of. A projected $10 trillion budget deficit, not only the debt, should not sit well with anyone on this campus.
The College Republicans will attempt to educate the UW with speakers, rallies and literature on facts you should know about our nation's financial problems and why heavy government and deficit spending are not in the best interest of this nation.
With the election of Obama in 2008 and the upcoming competitive Wisconsin gubernatorial race in 2010, 2009 will be an off year for politics on most campuses.
Fortunately, the College Republicans are working endlessly to place a focus on the two most daunting problems facing the U.S. as a whole: fiscal issues and health care.
Whoever said that the Republican Party is dead obviously hasn't met the UW College Republicans, their new leadership and their new direction.
Stephen Duerst is the public relations chair for the College Republicans. We welcome all feedback. Please send all responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
