Palin represents real change, better choice

The major political story of the last week has, without any doubt, been the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as the running mate of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). An unexpected choice, Palin has provoked strong reaction from both sides of the political spectrum. From the right, there has been a renewed enthusiasm and commitment toward the McCain campaign. Palin, ever since her election as Alaska's governor, has been seen as one of the rising young stars of the Republican Party, and her selection as McCain's running mate serves to cement her place as one the prominent leaders of the party. From the left, we hear a chorus of criticism, particularly upon her alleged "inexperience." While attacks of inexperience coming from those supporting first-term Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president may seem ironically humorous, it also masks a crucial realization: Palin doesn't just talk about changing and reforming government, she's been actively and continually doing just that in Alaska.

In 1996, Sarah Palin, a two-term city councilwoman for her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, ran for and was elected the mayor of Wasilla. She campaigned against the city's wasteful spending and high taxation, and she wasted no time tackling these issues in office. She called for the resignation of several city leaders, led the fight to reduce the city's property taxes by 40 percent and even reduced her own salary. The people of Wasilla, clearly impressed with her leadership, re-elected her mayor by a three-to-one margin in 1999. In her second term, her peers honored her, selecting her to be president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.

Limited from seeking a third term as mayor, Palin was appointed to head the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003 by Gov. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska). Palin discovered and reported ethical violations to the governor, but they were not heeded. Prohibited from revealing these abuses while still head of the commission, Palin chose to resign in order to reveal the truth. As a result, the head of the state Republican Party Randy Ruedrich and the Republican Attorney General Gregg Renkes were both forced to resign in disgrace. Palin, however, was still not satisfied, and turned her attention to Murkowski, the man who had ignored reports of corruption. Palin challenged Murkowski, a long-time U.S. Senator, before becoming governor in the 2006 Republican primary. Faced with the challenge of taking on a man backed by the whole of the state party leaders, Palin won that primary with 51 percent of the vote in a three-way race (Murkowski winning 19 percent). She then defeated former Alaska governor, Democrat Tony Knowles, in November, despite a refusal by many state leaders to campaign for her.

In her two years as governor, Palin has already reshaped the way government works in Alaska. She rescinded dozens of last-minute political appointments made by Murkowski, and set forth on reforming other actions of the Murkowski administration. Palin reversed a decision made by Murkowski to grant a natural gas pipeline to a coalition of oil companies, opening up the bidding process. She cut more than $200 million in wasteful spending from the state construction budget and ended the construction of the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere." As corruption scandals have come to light about Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), Palin has called for both to disclose their activities, and actively supported her lieutenant governor, Sean Parnell, in his bid to un-seat Young.

For more than a decade, Palin has been an agent of government reform in the state of Alaska. In response to Aaron Turner's labeling of Palin as a "pitiful choice" (September 2, "Palin a pitiful choice"), I invite him and all of you to compare the records of reform that both Palin and McCain would bring with them to the White House to the records of Obama and Biden. Which ticket possesses proven reformers? Which ticket will take on government waste and corruption, not only in the opposing party, but also within their own? For me, the answers to these questions are self-evident. Don't hope for change: vote for it.

Alex Coelho coelhoap@muohio.edu

Boehner's calls for letters ignore his past actions

I read your article on the front page of The Miami Student (Sept. 2, "Boehner brings energy debate to 8th district") and felt compelled to write this letter to tell Rep. John Boehner (R-West Chester) that I'm sure Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is aware of how the cost of gasoline impacts all of us. Let's face it-everyday we are reminded of this when we fill our tanks, read articles or watch the news.

I read in another article that the Republicans were meeting without the Democrats because Pelosi called for a recess. How much is this costing the taxpayers? Why did the Republicans shoot down HR 6049? Maybe the House Republicans should stop their secret meetings and watch the news, or could it be that they just don't want to be reminded that "big oil" has generated record profits from each and every one of us. 

Not long ago, President George W. Bush asked OPEC to increase oil production; he was told we could not refine it even if oil production was increased. Will "big oil" use the profits they gouged from us to build refineries? I think not. All they will do is keep the price of oil high so they can keep lining their pockets. When was the last time a refinery was built in this country? Oh yeah, that would only create jobs in this country.

Maybe Boehner should be reminded that he has stood next to Bush and has agreed to just about everything that he says. 

Maybe Boehner needs to be reminded that for the last eight years the Republicans, along with Bush, did nothing but screw up this country. The American people are faced not only with high-energy prices but a recession, a deficit, declining property values, record foreclosures, a war, loss of jobs-the list goes on and on.

Now Boehner comes up with another brilliant idea-he wants us to send him a brief letter and our gas receipts so that he can show them to Pelosi. Is this what he's being paid to do by the citizens of Ohio? The only stamp I would waste is on a letter saying good bye to Bush!

It's time that both parties started working together to turn this country around, but the Republicans are just not willing to do so. They are trying to tie the Democrats hands once again because they know their reign is almost over, thank god!

Boehner is once again positioning himself to play on public opinion, something he does well. The Republican's blew it and the American people are paying for their mistakes and Boehner was a part of that. The answer is simple: get rid of the idiots who got us into this mess. Good bye, Bush.

Jim Jastrab jastrab53@yahoo.com