Let’s Stay Focused
Health care seems to be an issue that many people are passionate about, and certainly an individual’s life is something that deserves passionate attention. Politicians have realized that passion can sway the uninformed voter. So these politicians have a tendency to bang their fists on the podium, and cry, “Health care for all,” without regard for real issues–and these antics seem to influence uninformed voters. This sort of politicking has no place at Lawrence or in The Lawrentian. Our debate should be academic and reasoned, and we should not allow partisan fervor to cloud our ability to see truth.
It is exactly this sort of cloudy reasoning that seemed to drive Andy York’s October 3rd letter to the editor that criticized our congressman Mark Green. York blasted the Congressman for voting against a resolution that would extend healthcare benefits to Reservists and National Guard members. These Guard and Reserve members, however, are citizen soldiers. That means they have ordinary jobs, and have no more need for supplemental healthcare than any other average, employed citizen. His vicious attack of a much respected congressman who has supported drug benefits for seniors and a Patient’s Bill of Rights, has no place in our academic political debate.
Indeed, if you thought that York’s letter sounded less like constructive debate and more like rhetoric passed down from the Wisconsin Democratic Party, whelp . . . then you’re exactly right! Compare York’s first paragraph with a press release from the Wisconsin Dem’s website (check it out, www.wisdems.org/news/). “This past week, Rep. Mark Green . . . was the only member of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation who voted against a bipartisan effort to extend TRICARE to Americans serving in the National Guard and Reserves,” (York). “Yesterday, Rep. Mark Green (R-Green Bay) was the only member of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation to vote against a bipartisan effort to extend TRICARE to Americans serving in the National Guard and Reserves,” (Dem. party site). York’s article begs the question: does the honor code apply to Lawrentian submissions?
Let’s get real and stop this shameless regurgitation of the party line. I would invite Andy York and anybody else to the politics discussion table that the College Republicans host every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month in Downer E at 6:00 pm. Hopefully this table can facilitate some truly academic political discussion.
Let’s Stay Focused
