University of Michigan students are right to protest Gov. Snyder as commencement speaker
Good for the students of the University of Michigan! At a time when education is so crucial to the future of Michigan, to the future of the U.S., we have a governor who thinks education is the place to cut, and cut deeply, in order to give tax breaks to corporations, with no strings attached.
Do the companies who benefit from this move need to prove they will use that money to create jobs? To hire more Michigan employees? No, they do not. But public schools in Michigan are accountable to every taxpayer for every dollar spent. Now, those taxpayers won't even be able to make a tax-deductible donation to public universities, such as U-M.
I applaud the students of the University of Michigan for standing up and seeking a more appropriate commencement speaker for their graduation. They certainly deserve one who isn't stabbing them in the back as he speaks about their future. The U-M students are better informed about the political power grab in this state, and more passionate about public education than their own university president, and certainly their governor. Go Blue!
Laurie Miholer Traverse City
Comments
Olan Owen Barnes
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 5:26 a.m.
While I may not agree with the Governor he is the CEO for the state of Michigan and will have an ongoing relationship with the university if not recalled and what university in it's right will want to get the CEO angry with you - it makes to sense to be impolitic.
Roadman
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 4:55 a.m.
Governor Rick Snyder should be applauded for taking time from his busy schedule to address attendees at commencement exercises at his alma mater. I thank him for his commitment in this regard. The key organizer/leader of the opposition to Snyder speaking is one Zach Goldsmith, who appears to be a publicity hound. He previously found notariety being profiled on the "Dearborn Boycotts Israel" blog where controversial statements attributed to him were published. He earned a reputation as a pro-Israel political booster and opposed the election of Green Party activists to the People's Food Co-op board of directors. He authored witty and controversial posts as "Zach G." on Arbor Update. U-M needs Governor Snyder, not Zach Goldsmith's antics.
bedrog
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
..ever the little provocateur with your ( and the GREENS) obsession with turning everything into a pro-palestinian issue, however irrelevant. Talk about 'publicity hounds ' and 'antics' ( with costumes no less)!! Yet you seem almost as "paulist"/ contrarian for its own sake as 'Green.' As i said before...a mystery wrapped in an enigma ( but not all that interesting at the end of the day)
Jimmy Olsen
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 1:51 a.m.
There is an easy way to reduce the cost of higher eduction at the public universities in Michigan - cut salaries and consolidate campus services. Does each "unit" of the U need it's own IT department, etc. How many associate "somethings" does each department need ? The doubling of employees contributions to their retirement accounts! How about 50 cent match for every dollar contributed by the employee. Take a look at the salaries: <a href="http://www.collegiatetimes.com/databases/salaries/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-2010" rel='nofollow'>http://www.collegiatetimes.com/databases/salaries/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-2010</a> None of this will bother the education of the students. Rock on Rick ! Time for the universities to live within their means just like everyone else has to.
Caferacer
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 10:55 a.m.
Good ideas and would be wonderful to see these activities looked into as basic financial blocking and tackling to save dollars.
Caferacer
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
It is a shame that our college students cannot appreciate the fact that a sitting governor would speak at their commencement. As future business and community leaders they must listen to people who have alternate views and consider these views in order to help themselves lead in the future. I recognize that we all have different viewpoints about politics, religion, culture but we must listen and respect all opinions not shut them out... ultimately this is a cowardice approach.
jcj
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
Correct me if I am wrong. But I do not believe that every opinion piece submitted to A2.com is published. If I am right then A2.com should be ashamed for beating this subject to death. But because it gets lots of post they will continue to beat this to death. There were those that said we"townies" need to keep our mouths shut because we were not the ones that had"worked our butts off for four years"! I am sure they will praise this person from Traverse City and her views.
Tom Lienert
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
If a Democrat was stupid enough to cut support for public education, I suspect the students would protest THEIR presence at commencement just as readily. Stupidity isn't a matter of politics, after all. I've seen quite a few dim bulbs on both sides of the aisle.
shrewdrealist
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
Would they protest if Snyder were a Democrat? Wag the dog, baby!!!
Dr. Rockso
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
Its Great to see the students stand up to The RIck. Students turn your backs to The Rick hes turned his back to you. Go Blue!
Huron74
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.
Whatever. I doubt very many of us care one hoot what graduating students (most of who will be soon departing AA) think about anything. I know I don't.
WW II Veteran
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.
To protest is a right but do not disrupt the graduation exericeses for thousands who have worked hard for that day and have friends and families there to enjoy it with them
DonBee
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.
Students can protest (peacefully) anything they want from peanuts in the food to Governors. That is part of what makes this country great.
braggslaw
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
This country is great because the citizen's are protected by the Bill of Rights. I applaud the students because they are practicing their basic rights. BUT remember just because you didn't get your way doesn't mean you can break the law. Behave and protest within yourself.
Jacob Bodnar
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
"we have a governor who thinks education is the place to cut, and cut deeply, in order to give tax breaks to corporations," Please actually research the budget proposal before you write a letter to the editor. The current business tax, taxes corporations at 4.95%, plus offers a wide array of tax credits. Snyder's proposal is to eliminate taxes for small business. C Corporations, which are corporations which the money from the business are separate from the shareholders, are taxed at 6% (which is actually a tax increase) and an array of tax credits are eliminated as well. So if you think the education cuts were to make room for tax breaks on "corporations" you'd be wrong. The tax breaks went to the small businesses, the large corporations actually got an increase. Plus, I would argue we give plenty of money to education as it is. The proposal is a modest 5% cut, the problem with education isn't a lack of funding, it's a lack of accountability, there's reform way beyond money that needs to take place.