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State Debate: Refuse to be afraid
A 10/14 roundup of editorials in state papers
Refuse to be afraid, says the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
"'Tis surprising to see how rapidly a panic will sometimes run through a country," Thomas Paine wrote early in the American Revolution. It was a time when things looked bleak for the young country in its war for independence from Britain.
The typical rhetoric of a political season has collided with frustration and anger at Washington, Wall Street and even the media. The people's ferocity has startled both John McCain and Barack Obama as they reach the final turn of their extended horse race.
Faced with supporters who let their anxiety spill over into anger, McCain found himself pointing out the obvious the other day. "I have to tell you, Sen. Obama is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared of as president of the United States," McCain said.
A basic truth gets lost in the whirlwind of ads designed to make voters fear what would happen if one person or another is elected: Despite what passionate partisans are saying, this is a choice between different visions of leadership, not a duel between good and evil.
The first thing each individual can do is resist the temptation to let fear and anger guide our daily decisions, and especially not the decisions we'll make Nov. 4. Above all things, refuse to be afraid.
College financial aid system worth another look, says the Appleton Post-Crescent.
To a parent or a student, it might seem like they need a college degree just to figure out the federal government's financial aid application to get into college. The College Board, a nonprofit association, wants to take down some of the obstacles posed by the financial aid system. Last month, the Rethinking Student Aid study group released its recommendations. Among them:
-- Eliminating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the form that causes the most trouble and confusion. Instead, the Internal Revenue Service would provide tax information directly to the Department of Education to determine Pell Grant eligibility.
-- Increasing Pell Grants based on the consumer price index.
-- Combining the tax credits and deductions available for college aid into one tax credit.
-- Changing repayment to allow for gradually increased payments, to better match graduates' incomes.
Anything that can be done to make this complex process easier -- and make college more attainable -- is worth the consideration.
Hold Gableman accountable for misleading ad, says the Sheboygan Press.
The state Judicial Commission last week said Justice Michael Gableman was in "willful violation" of the Code of Judicial Conduct when his Supreme Court campaign ran an ad that misrepresented facts in a court case involving his opponent, incumbent Justice Louis Butler.
Gableman should have known that his ad misrepresented the facts. And while he has a First Amendment right to free speech -- which his campaign maintains he was exercising -- he also has an obligation to adhere to the judicial code.
In his apparent zeal to win a seat on the state's highest court, he chose to disregard the code that he swore to follow. He must be held accountable.
Associated Press
When at the polls, don't let fear and anger guide your decision, the Green Bay Press-Gazette says.
- It's 3 a.m., Hillary's on the phone
- Should the bus fare be increased from $1.50 to $2?
- Democrats put Main Streeters in charge of Assembly
- State Debate: Tie auto bailout to recovery plan
- Reversing bias against gays
- State debate: Medical marijuana should be considered in Wisconsin, the Green Bay Press Gazette says
