Opinion

---

Republicans should use election results as motivation

Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem. Those were the words spoken by President Ronald Reagan on his inauguration day nearly 30 years ago. Yesterday, they were spoken again by millions of Americans who saw our country heading in the wrong direction. While the final numbers have yet to be tabulated, one thing is clear: Americans chose a new path.

GOP needs better talent in 2nd District

One more round of midterm elections is in the books, and it was a sweeping victory for Republicans nationwide. While the GOP victory may not have been as dominant as many had projected, the Republicans were still able to take the U.S. House of Representatives, grab a lion's share of the country's governorships and oust Democratic senate stalwarts, including Wisconsin's own Russ Feingold. But here in Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District, Democratic Representative Tammy Baldwin didn't even flinch.

Abusive relationships not a simple issue for victims

As his fingers closed around my throat, my brain flipped a switch that went primal. My only instincts were to keep breathing and to kick. Turns out, heels come in handy.

Hassett will actually do attorney general duties

The choice between sitting Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and his opponent Scott Hassett was not a difficult one. Van Hollen has effectively been campaigning not to receive our endorsement for the last four years. His list of accomplishments is less impressive than Joe Pesci's in ""My Cousin Vinny."" He dropped the ball on Calumet County's ""sexting"" District Attorney Ken Kratz, who Van Hollen's office allowed to waft around courtrooms for months following allegations of sexual harassment. Last year the Wisconsin Department of Justice misplaced thousands of DNA samples, leading to the possibility of up to 3,000 convicted felons walking free when they should have been in jail.

Vote Barrett to keep Walker from sending us off the rails

Wisconsin faces a projected $2.7 billion deficit. To balance the budget, we need a governor who not only knows how to cut spending, but who knows where to make smart, sustainable cuts. That is why we endorse Tom Barrett for governor.

Bringing the 'win' back in Baldwin

In a Wisconsin election season filled with closely fought races, the question of who should represent our Second Congressional District is an easy one to answer. Through her consistent performance in Congress and commitment to representing her constituents, Rep. Tammy Baldwin has earned our endorsement for reelection.

In District 77 Manski best for students

Either candidate for Wisconsin's 77th district, Democrat Brett Hulsey or the Green Party's Ben Manski, will represent a liberal vote in the assembly. On a great deal of environmental and social issues Manski and Hulsey seem to be in agreement and would reflect the opinions of Madison and Middleton voters.

'It gets better' founder is only getting worse

As proud as I was to show my support for victims of bullying by wearing purple last Wednesday at Library Mall, I was quickly reminded later that day that members of the LGBT community are not the only victims who are regularly attacked because of their identity. In fact, some gay rights supporters and many other activists with liberal leaning perspectives are actually to blame for at least a portion of the disrespect that has recently come to the forefront of our society.

Dissent: Record disclosure unfair

I can understand why my fellow members of The Daily Cardinal Editorial Board would want access to as many court records as possible. We are journalists and it is our job to get all necessary information out to the public.

Nice to have Russ back

As I sat behind the stage staring at the back of President Barack Obama's head Tuesday evening, my thoughts centered not on the leader of the free world standing before me, but on the senator fighting for his political life who spoke minutes earlier.

The summer of love versus marriage

Tuition hike: academic aristocracy

Wisconsin would benefit from medicinal-marijuana legislation

Currently, fourteen states across the nation allow the use of medicinal marijuana as a treatment for various illnesses. For cancer patients, marijuana is used to remedy the terrible nausea that follows chemotherapy. In people affected by glaucoma, the sticky icky has been shown to reduce irritating intraocular eye pressure. Even for people with AIDS, pot stimulates appetite in order to reverse the debilitating effects of wasting syndrome.

Candidates' stance on smoking ban unacceptable

City should focus efforts on homeless

Last month, the Madison city council approved the $98 million redevelopment of the Edgewater Hotel. That sounds like a lot of money to the average Madisonian, but lately the city has been on a spending spree when it comes to new buildings—whether they're hotels, libraries or apartment complexes.

... and new leaders enter tomorrow

Hey guys. My name is Emma Roller and I'll be taking over as editor in chief of The Daily Cardinal next semester. I have five main goals for improving the Cardinal in the upcoming school year.

Step back, take time to recognize the earth

Aldo Leopold's ""A Sand County Almanac"" seems to pride itself in being unapologetically divisive. Leopold wrote, ""A thing is right when it tends to preserve integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."" This is as bold a statement now as it was back then, even after decades of environmentalism and green consciousness.

Calling a foul on Duncan

This decade UW-Madison has taken a lot of flak from students, alumni and other frequently frustrated persons for its track record with commencement speakers. And it's not without reason, as the recent list of speakers hasn't really had much of a ""wow"" factor.

Old leaders move on today...

I am incredibly proud of the four years I have spent working at The Daily Cardinal. It is something that has impacted my life in innumerable ways, and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunities I have been given.

Students drown in debt

It's that time of year again, when young recent college grads with little-to-no work experience are set loose, diplomas in hand, on the so-called ""real"" world where one's value is measured in salary digits and employment perks. Recent economic activity, according to those self-proclaimed experts in the ""science"" of the relationship between humans and money, suggests that things are looking brighter out there in the job market. American consumers are feeling more confident, loosening their purse strings and buying shit. And we all know there's nothing Americans love to do more than buy shit. And theoretically, the more shit Americans buy the more jobs there will be. Right?