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Corruption is dominating politics

In our post-Citizens United government, corruption is perfectly legal, and we let politicians get away with it. According to the Sunlight Foundation, from 2007 to 2012, the top 200 most politically active companies in America spent approximately $5.8 billion influencing the legislators who are meant to represent the American public. Those 200 companies received $4.4 trillion in taxpayer support, government benefits and tax breaks for their efforts. While big money special interests laugh all the way to the bank, the American public is left penniless.

Eliminate Social Security

Social Security is close to being an untouchable government program. No politician wants to suggest reforming or eliminating it for fear of irritating the masses of older Americans who want to see the money they paid into the system returned to them. However, Social Security will need to be modified at some point. A system based on younger generations paying for the older generations’ retirements only works when the labor force is large enough to foot the bill of retirees. While that may have been true in the past, it won’t be true forever. Consequently, a change in either benefits or the 12.4 percent effective income tax to support Social Security must occur in order to prevent the program from becoming insolvent.

A new era in Daily Cardinal history

For 123 years, The Daily Cardinal has been at the forefront of student journalism on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. As editor-in-chief, it is my responsibility to put this newspaper in a position to keep it thriving for 123 more.

cardinal era

Since 1892, The Daily Cardinal has prided itself on its dedication to fostering strong student journalism. 

turkey

Christmas may be great, but don't forget about Thanksgiving

Another Halloween in Madison is in the books. If you’re like me, you got through the weekend with only a few injuries and one very empty pumpkin pie box. Nonetheless, we turn the calendar and move on through the season with the sparkling promise of winter break at the forefront of our minds. But, winter break is still a ways away, and I was startled when I picked up my phone the day after Halloween to find that social media thought that it was Christmas day.

Cow

The hard truth about red meat

Days ago, the World Health Organization released findings in which processed meats were categorized as Group 1 carcinogens to humans, the same ranking that is given to asbestos and cigarettes. Additionally, the WHO released findings that people who regularly eat red meat are 18 percent more likely to contract colorectal cancer.

Buddhism has influenced cultures in Southeast Asia to commit acts of generosity, despite a much lower level of economic development.

Economic prosperity not only factor in generosity

A global survey on charitable giving was conducted in 135 nations, and very well may provide us a sense of faith in humanity. In 2014, the World Giving Index examined whether people volunteered their time to an organization, offered assistance to someone they did not know who needed it or donated money to a charity. Around 2.3 billion people worldwide reported helping a stranger over a time period of one month, and 1.4 billion people reported that they donated money to a charitable cause in 2013.

Areas of high pedestrian traffic such as Library Mall are often home to inflammatory preachers.

Religious hecklers preaching through fear

It was a brisk fall afternoon on campus, and I had just handed over a crisp $10 bill in exchange for a foil-wrapped Korean burrito. I savored the delicious cocktail flavor, made even more precious to me knowing that I was directly jeopardizing my rent for the luxury of food cart cuisine. A fair trade, in my book. My friend and I began to look for a spot to sit down and stuff our faces with our feast, but as we walked down Library Mall, we encountered quite the crowd forming a ring.

voting

Reinvigorating the primary election

Doorbells have been torn off the wall, leaving frayed wires swaying in the wind. People greet you cheerfully, and then their hospitality turns to hostility. Three cars sit in the driveway, and yet no one opens the door.

homeless

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin's proposed ordinance from this summer aimed to clear downtown of individuals who he believed were causing a nuisance to residents and local businesses. 

Terrorism motivated primarily by perceived injustices, not prejudices

In response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, President George W. Bush promptly declared that the attacks were motivated by a hatred for “our freedoms” —particularly our freedoms of religion and speech. All of the evidence appears to point to a completely different idea. Terrorists did not attack us on 9/11 because they hated our freedom or were commanded by their religion. They attacked the World Trade Centers in order to get revenge for American actions they perceived to be injustices.

Cardinal View: Soglin slips in tackling homelessness issue

Mayor Paul Soglin, since his landslide reelection victory in April 2015, has once again taken upon himself to address Madison’s homeless problem with rhetoric rather than substantial policy. Over the summer, Mayor Soglin proposed a new city ordinance which would tackle problematic loitering and lodging in Madison’s Central Business District. While not directly mentioning the homeless, the ordinance, which Madison’s Common Council has since voted down, attempted to clear out downtown of individuals whom were causing an undue nuisance to both city residents and the various business of downtown Madison.

Factory-made costumes are taking over Halloween spirit

Saturday night, the streets were filled with ghouls, ghosts and other garish creatures of the more unnerving persuasion. Classics enjoyed by many generations made their appearance as well, monsters like Frankenstein (Yes I know technically it’s Frankenstein’s monster), werewolves and all forms of vampire. And of course, the slutty nurse, cats that if they were cats would have no fur and professions clearly depicted with less clothing than usual. All these and more haunted the streets this weekend, revealing without a care by the light of the October moon, their visages magical and mysterious in the moonlight, titillating and enticing.

Putin

Rethinking Putin's Russian government

Patriotism. A word that inspires hope, respect and a willingness to forever defend one’s nation. The often forgotten emotion it inspires is the fear to criticize the American government. People criticize the government all the time but only when it’s doing something “un-American.” Suppressed are the criticisms against the government for doing something that has become synonymous with patriotism: “spreading democracy and freedom.” Even worse is suggesting something that is “non-American” that may, in fact, be right.