The role of students
This was originally posted as a comment to an earlier post. It has been moved here for better visibility.
Several weeks ago The Northwestern recommended UW-Oshkosh students not vote in Oshkosh. The newspaper wanted the students to vote in their hometowns as absentee voters. Can you imagine what other recommendations they could have added to this? How about:
Students do not pay sales tax on purchases made in Oshkosh.
None of their rent is allowed to go into the property taxes that landlords pay.
Of course the newspaper did not make these recommendations. They, like many others in this community, want the cheap labor and money from spending that students supply, but the students are not welcomed as citizens.
One reason The Northwestern went on attack was that the newspaper feared students would vote the party line. I guess no citizen in Oshkosh would ever do that.
Younger adults tend to be more liberal (or less conservative) than older adults. Maybe The Northwestern is afraid of the voting impact of a minority of Oshkosh residents. These young radicals might want clean air in Oshkosh. What is that horrible smell that comes through sometimes? Or, maybe they would call for an honest accounting of the economic impact of UW-Oshkosh compared to EAA. Or, they might vote against the Republican encumbants.
Maybe its parent company, Gannett, wants to put the clamp on people who disagree with CEO and President Douglas McCorkindale. The leader of a company that produces “objective” journalism donated $1,000 to the Republican’s Federal Victory Fund and $1,000 to George Bush in 2003 (found via www.opensecrets.org). That is a small amount compared to the $60,000+ donated by Oshkosh Truck to Republican interests in 2000-2001.
Several weeks ago The Northwestern recommended UW-Oshkosh students not vote in Oshkosh. The newspaper wanted the students to vote in their hometowns as absentee voters. Can you imagine what other recommendations they could have added to this? How about:
Students do not pay sales tax on purchases made in Oshkosh.
None of their rent is allowed to go into the property taxes that landlords pay.
Of course the newspaper did not make these recommendations. They, like many others in this community, want the cheap labor and money from spending that students supply, but the students are not welcomed as citizens.
One reason The Northwestern went on attack was that the newspaper feared students would vote the party line. I guess no citizen in Oshkosh would ever do that.
Younger adults tend to be more liberal (or less conservative) than older adults. Maybe The Northwestern is afraid of the voting impact of a minority of Oshkosh residents. These young radicals might want clean air in Oshkosh. What is that horrible smell that comes through sometimes? Or, maybe they would call for an honest accounting of the economic impact of UW-Oshkosh compared to EAA. Or, they might vote against the Republican encumbants.
Maybe its parent company, Gannett, wants to put the clamp on people who disagree with CEO and President Douglas McCorkindale. The leader of a company that produces “objective” journalism donated $1,000 to the Republican’s Federal Victory Fund and $1,000 to George Bush in 2003 (found via www.opensecrets.org). That is a small amount compared to the $60,000+ donated by Oshkosh Truck to Republican interests in 2000-2001.
posted by Miles Maguire at 3:04 PM
3 Comments:
The Northwestern has aways been a right-wing rag, and aways will be. Do what I do, dont buy or read it.
How do the students feel?
If you can only cast one vote, where do you feel it it best placed?
Fearful reactionaries in a number of cities have attempted to disenfranchise students in the way that the Northwestern recommends. As a tax-paying and interested citizen, I find this recommendation deplorable. Such an action would only make it more difficult for these potential voters to make their voices heard. Both parties acknowledge the power of young voters and are pushing them to register and vote. I agree that the Northwestern may fear a more liberal or radical vote as one which does not buy into Republican incumbants and the financial objectives of the Gannett parent company.
I am curious to know what students think. Wouldn't they like the chance to vote in Oshkosh in November--instead of having to drive home or get an absentee ballot?
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