Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
The Sept. 10 issue of The Maine Campus reported on the Sept. 8 meeting of University of Maine’s General Student Senate. During the meeting, debate ensued on whether or not the senate should establish a position on the second version of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, a statewide referendum question to be voted on in November. A majority vote of “yes” on Question 4 would place caps on public spending and require voter approval of any changes to the state’s tax structure.
Sen. Ben Goodman recalled that in 2006 the senate took a stance against TABOR because “it had a strong impact on tuition.”
Sen. Nate Wildes said that the GSS’ Legislative Relations Committee would work to educate the student body on the impact of all referendum questions. However, he warned that “it is not the responsibility of either the committee or the General Student Senate to take a political stance on this issue.”
Maine voted the first initiative of TABOR down in 2006 by an 8 percent margin. TABOR II is the same plan which has only been enacted statewide in Colorado. Republicans and Democrats are generally split on it, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing mostly because of the restraints on spending the proposal may create.
At the meeting, Goodman went on to argue for the establishment of a stance on TABOR II, saying the senate has a “responsibility to take a stance on issues that affect the student population.” His opinion seems to be that senate should oppose the bill.
If Goodman were to get his wish, his opinion would represent the entire UMaine community. A blanket opinion either way doesn’t seem to be something that could be fairly done.
College Democrats and College Republicans are around to fight these partisan battles. They are a necessary part of the electoral process on campus. President Obama is indebted to the services of College Democrats, who came out in droves to organize support for his campaign. They should be commended for their efforts, as much of the campaign rested upon them. These groups push party policies and campaign for party causes; the senate isn’t designed for that.
But Goodman is also the president of Maine’s College Democrats, which has seven chapters at universities and colleges from Orono to Gorham.
According to his Web site, he has volunteered for the campaigns of Howard Dean, John Kerry, Tom Allen and Chellie Pingree, along with many other Democrats. He is an executive member of the Maine Democratic Party’s State Committee. He interned for Obama’s campaign and for the Maine Democratic Party. He hosts two radio shows. A strong résumé, no doubt.
But the fact that Goodman could never be objective about TABOR II worries me. To be a College Democrat, you must be “committed to fighting for the ideals of the Democratic Party,” according to the group’s national website. He has an undeniable conflict of interests. A fair-minded person of any persuasion should see that. President Goodman is the leader of collegiate opposition to the bill, while Sen. Goodman is pushing what should be a nonpartisan senate to take a partisan stance. This would benefit his larger cause.
Goodman further implied that students couldn’t make a good decision on TABOR without a senate opinion. Like Wildes said, the senate should help to educate students on the bill and not recommend a stance. Some want this to become law. Some don’t. It will affect us all but not in ways that are universally good or bad. We should all look into our stances on it and get information from both sides.
Goodman’s party position should be in the public dialogue – as College Democrat president. As senator, he should check his party at the door.
Michael Shepherd is featured each Monday in The Maine Campus.
Related Posts:- Op-Ed: On TABOR II and other issues, GSS must take a stand (September 24, 2009)
- Student Senate takes stance on TABOR II (October 1, 2009)
- GSS refuses stance on TABOR II (September 24, 2009)
- Brief: BOT urges no on TABOR (November 2, 2009)
- Maine attorney general rejects request to investigate legislative staff members (October 29, 2009)
So, your premise is that the only people who can properly express their opinions are people who have no opinions?
[Reply]
It seems to me pretty reasonable that someone who is involved in student politics would have an interest involved in state and national politics, too.
If you don’t like it, you could encourage someone who represents you to run for office.
[Reply]
You have GOT to be kidding. The US Congress is full of representatives — 435 of them — and they are all either Democrats or Republicans, many of whom were the head of their college Dems or Republicans or county political parties, but the UMaine student government can’t have someone identified as a Democrat?
[Reply]