The Collegian » Megan Dahle

The political world needs more thought and dissent

Megan Dahle — Wed, 19 Feb 2003 05:00:00 +0000

Megan Dahle

Ah, the sweet sound of dissent.

France, Germany and Russia have all taken a strong stand against the United States when it comes to our hard-line policy on war with Iraq.

But frankly, I’m tired of talking about war.

The important element in this issue is dissent. Something I’d like to see a lot more often in American politics. I don’t care what side you’re on, or what issue is at hand.

It all goes along with apathy.

I hear people bitch about our government or a particular politician all the time. But when I ask them whom they voted for, they give me this blank look as if I was speaking to them in Zambonese. The worst are those who have not idea what’s going on in politics.

Do people enjoy being ignorant? Do they think it makes them appear laid back?

How is it possible to not have an opinion on going to war? Do these people really care that little for their fellow man?

How sad.

These people are exactly what’s wrong with our governmental system.

If you don’t participate, you do not have the right to complain about the government, or even your lot in life.

So knock it off.

But then there are those who do participate in government, but instead of using logic and reason to make their decisions, they use emotions and passion without any care to consequences.

These are generally the people who like winning at all costs, and generally have no idea what the prize is or what the race is about. This happens on both sides of the aisle, Republicans and Democrats.

All I ask is that you pay attention. Question policies, ideas and consequences.

Why be a sheep? Don’t let politicians appeal to your emotions.

If you do let them get you through emotion, it shows you’re weak and will follow anyone.

Dissent is much different than whining.

Dissent implies logical reasoning.

Germany, France and Russia know exactly what they stand against and for and why.

Kudos.

Reach Megan Dahle at dahle@brookings.net.

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State of the Union address shows President is desperate for war

Megan Dahle — Tue, 04 Feb 2003 05:00:00 +0000

Megan Dahle

President Bush’s State of the Union Address was like a well-skipped stone on a calm lake.

He slightly touched on most of the topics, getting them barely wet, then dived right in for a long, drowning swim in war rhetoric.

Bush’s obvious impotence with his poor domestic policies was skillfully ignored as he attempted to resurrect his “compassionate conservatism,” ignore his failure of the past two years and move right on to lambasting Evil Iraq.

Bush deserves a pat on the back. I know how painful it was for him to talk about domestic issues, especially considering how badly he botches domestic policy, and I know how much he really only wanted to talk about his pet project in the Mid-East, but he bit the bullet like a big boy and got the icky stuff out of the way.

Bush’s brussel sprouts of the speech included the economy, health care, energy and, oh yes, the children.

Compassion became a buzzword for Bush and he spoke fervently about children with incarcerated parents, drug addicts, oppressed children and AIDS victims.

But just like the other problems Bush brought up (like the economy, senior health care), he offered no solutions. “These problems exist” was the message of the hour.

Thanks, George. I didn’t know.

It’s unfortunate that Bush was unable to report on positive things his administration has accomplished in the past two years, since this was the State of the Union address.

Sure, he mentioned the education reform stuff, but we all know that this bill is nothing but an expensive burden that wastes the time of teachers and students.

Bush also mentioned the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. What he failed to mention here was that this was originally an idea from the left side of the aisle that Bush promised to veto if it were ever to reach his desk.

On to the dessert (or desert)… Iraq and terrorism! Yeah!

Topics like the economy, social security and health care were just abrupt hiccups on the road to foreign issues. You could hear Bush sigh as he finally found solace in the soothing comfort of the thought of war. I think I saw Vice President Cheney wipe some drool off his chops as he pictured oil wells named “Cheney II” and “Little Dick” placed all over Iraq.

Bush spent the majority of this time trying to win back the slipping support for an attack on Iraq. However, it was the same old stuff that we’ve heard for months. It’s tiring.

Overall, the State of the Union was a disappointment. Bush had a gigantic opportunity to propose some substantive ideas for domestic legislation that would help America, and he failed miserably.

Sure, there were rays of sunshine when I thought Bush would say something worthwhile, but then he would remind me “Oh yeah…it’s W.”

It’s my own fault for being so optimistic.

Reach Megan Dahle at dahle@brookings.net.

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Bush’s economic plan will not help the U.S. economy

Megan Dahle — Tue, 21 Jan 2003 05:00:00 +0000

Megan Dahle

Once upon a time, the U.S. government’s budget deficit was a gigantic issue.

In the 1990s, the United States was able to pull itself out a huge red deficit after a twelve year spending spree by the Republican Administrations.

All of that went down the toilet after President Bush was sworn in to office two years ago. Since then he has racked up our nation’s bills while watching his tax-cut contribute to bigger, fatter red numbers.

Bush’s poorly named economic stimulus package calls for $674 billion dollars to be put back in the pockets of America’s fat cats. We all know they need it. They were looking a little peaked.

Sure, the White House claims that the average tax rebate will average over $1,000. What they’ve failed to tell you is that the average is tainted by hundreds of thousands of dollars going to those who need it least: the rich.

If Bush really wanted to get the economy back on track, he’d make sure the money was getting into the hands of people that would spend it.

Rich people already have their own money to spend and they’re not spending it now. It’s the people at the bottom of the pay scale that would spend the dough. However, in Bush’s vast sense of generosity, he plans to give them only $99.

$99.

The result of his huge $674 billion flop is going to be a pat on the back for him, and an economy that’s going to fall further and further out of reach of real help.

The Democrats’ plan, on the other hand, only cost $136 billion. People receiving this money would actually spend the money, thus stimulating the economy.

However, fat cats’ wallets would keep their current girth, and in turn their frowns would not be turned upside down. Perhaps Bush just needs a vocabulary lesson on the meaning of “stimulus.” Even officials in the White House know this won’t work.

Bush’s economic stimulus package is just another example of Bush exploiting his high approval ratings to bully-through his ultra-conservative, fat-cat-friendly, neo-fascist agenda.

Write to Megan Dahle at dahle@brookings.net.

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