2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Editorials
Chi Psi prepared to take up challenge of house
On behalf of the Chi Psi fraternity, I would like to thank the Oxford City Planning Commission for the approval to remodel a house to become our new fraternity house. We understand that the process is a privilege and are fully aware of the responsibilities of having a fraternity house. Chi Psi now has the opportunity to embark our status on campus and will have the ability to continue making substantial progress. The City of Oxford has made the correct decision to continue their support of Greek life.
In addition, we appreciate the support of The Miami Student editorial board who feel we should have the opportunity to embark our status not only with the Miami Greek community but the Oxford community as well.
Jeff Griffin
Chi Psi Brother
griffijf@muohio.edu
Cost of campaigns reaches "un-American" proportions
Everyone knows that the cost of political campaigns is outrageous and increasing every year. Did you know that in 2006 it took an average of $9.6 million to win a Senate seat? And $1.2 million to become a member of the House of Representatives? By last month-even with the election still far off-the presidential hopefuls had already raised and spent a total of $500 million. In most states, even running for a legislative seat can cost thousands of dollars. It seems like our democracy has become more about who wealthy donors and special interests decide to fund and less about who has good ideas, and that excludes my friends and most of America who cares about cleaning up the environment, lowering the fees on student loans, getting our country to stop depending on oil-you get the picture. In fact, right now the biggest donors to the presidential candidates are the same folks who got us into the present economic mess. Their goal is to preserve their huge profits by blocking the reforms and regulations that would prevent another crisis. They know that their money buys them political influence. That seems downright un-American.
But what can we do? How do we make sure that politicians are accountable to the people, not their financial backers? How do we fulfill the promise that anyone can run for office? April 14-18, Democracy Matters at Miami is celebrating the "Fair Elections Week of Action" to do just that. Fair Elections is a voluntary system where candidates can qualify for a public grant instead of raising private money for their campaigns-this means more young people can afford to run for office. Join us to take back our democracy, stop the money chase and create responsive, accountable elected officials.
Patrick Frank
Campus Coordinator
Democracy Matters
Frankp@muohio.edu
On behalf of the Chi Psi fraternity, I would like to thank the Oxford City Planning Commission for the approval to remodel a house to become our new fraternity house. We understand that the process is a privilege and are fully aware of the responsibilities of having a fraternity house. Chi Psi now has the opportunity to embark our status on campus and will have the ability to continue making substantial progress. The City of Oxford has made the correct decision to continue their support of Greek life.
In addition, we appreciate the support of The Miami Student editorial board who feel we should have the opportunity to embark our status not only with the Miami Greek community but the Oxford community as well.
Jeff Griffin
Chi Psi Brother
griffijf@muohio.edu
Cost of campaigns reaches "un-American" proportions
Everyone knows that the cost of political campaigns is outrageous and increasing every year. Did you know that in 2006 it took an average of $9.6 million to win a Senate seat? And $1.2 million to become a member of the House of Representatives? By last month-even with the election still far off-the presidential hopefuls had already raised and spent a total of $500 million. In most states, even running for a legislative seat can cost thousands of dollars. It seems like our democracy has become more about who wealthy donors and special interests decide to fund and less about who has good ideas, and that excludes my friends and most of America who cares about cleaning up the environment, lowering the fees on student loans, getting our country to stop depending on oil-you get the picture. In fact, right now the biggest donors to the presidential candidates are the same folks who got us into the present economic mess. Their goal is to preserve their huge profits by blocking the reforms and regulations that would prevent another crisis. They know that their money buys them political influence. That seems downright un-American.
But what can we do? How do we make sure that politicians are accountable to the people, not their financial backers? How do we fulfill the promise that anyone can run for office? April 14-18, Democracy Matters at Miami is celebrating the "Fair Elections Week of Action" to do just that. Fair Elections is a voluntary system where candidates can qualify for a public grant instead of raising private money for their campaigns-this means more young people can afford to run for office. Join us to take back our democracy, stop the money chase and create responsive, accountable elected officials.
Patrick Frank
Campus Coordinator
Democracy Matters
Frankp@muohio.edu
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