Spring Semester Wrap Up

It is hard to believe that the spring semester is drawing to a close once again. I think it is important to reflect on what we have done as an organization this year and look forward to what is in store for the College Conservatives in the year to come.

 

The fall of 2012 was a busy time for us as we tried to motivate the campus with the numerous elections in November ranging from the President of the United States to local positions here in Watertown. The cabinet of the College Conservatives became specially certified to register new voters in Watertown. In all, we were able to register approximately 200 new voters in our district alone.

 

We also felt it was important for the group to be engaged in the conversations happening at the national level by watching the presidential and vice presidential debates. Every event featured packed classrooms of students and other Maranatha family becoming informed voters!

 

The spring semester was a slightly different story. A number of issues had to be overcome in the group including problems with our blog, The Manifesto. After finally getting back online we have been able to begin posting new articles about what is going on in our country. We were able to award a winner in our blog contest which was very encouraging.

 

As the year is winding down, the new cabinet of the CCMC for the 2013-2014 school year has already begun preparations for events and meetings for the College Conservatives. We are looking to expand our uses of social media as well as the different ways members of our group interact with one another and engage in the meaningful political discussion.

 

It has been a wonderful year to serve you in the numerous ways we have and we look forward to partnering with you in the future as we seek to keep the Maranatha family informed.

 

 

For His glory,

 

Adam Tyler Burton

Political Involvement

This week’s blog post is a collaborative post brought to you by our five cabinet members. Each cabinet member is passionate about politics and political involvement. Enjoy reading their responses to various questions designed specifically to answer the question of why or how someone should be involved in politics.

What is the biblical basis for political involvement?
Josh Moore: Scripture teaches that the Christian’s citizenship is found in heaven (Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:19). However, this does not mean that Christians ought to totally withdraw from society and neglect their earthly citizenship. In Romans 13:1-7, God specifically addresses and ordains the institution of civil government. Christians are to be “salt” and “light” spreading the gospel throughout the world. If God has gifted a Christian in the area of politics, then they should certainly see that as an opportunity to further the gospel. Every Christian should be involved in politics through praying for elected officials (I Timothy 2:1-4). Christians should realize the importance of being involved politically through praying for their country and government; and electing leaders who will seek to honor God.

What is the importance of voting?

Lauren Green: Voting is the most basic way we can be involved in politics. I firmly believe each American should make an informed vote every time they are given the opportunity – whether it’s at the local, state, or federal level. Voting is our chance to exercise our individual power as part of this government.

 All the strength of the American system rests on voting. As a representative democracy, the American government only works properly when citizens actually participate. Obviously, when citizens don’t vote, elected politicians aren’t an adequate representation for the people. “Taxation without representation” left early Americans livid, and that’s part of what led to our revolutionary war. To ensure lasting liberty and freedom for citizens, we must remain a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” and that only happens when we vote.

What is the importance of local politics?

Adam Burton: When we think of political involvement, our minds tend to naturally rush toward the national elections that get widespread news coverage. But consider just how much of an impact local politics has on your everyday life: what textbooks are chosen for your schools... Local: When the roads get plowed after heavy snowstorms... Local: The fire and police departments... Local. These are just a fraction of what cities manage that affect how you operate your lives. Being politically active at the local level is crucial in how these matters are resolved. Plus, with the traditionally low-turnout associated with local elections, it is even more important that we become active participants in the community around us.

 

How much influence can I have on the national political scene?

Matthew Stiemann: Different people will have varying amounts of influence on politics at the National level. How much influence someone has, depends on how much work one is willing to do. 

The following are three ways which allow you to have an impact. Each one takes a little more work on your part, but each one will also give you a greater amount of influence.

First of all, vote. Keep in mind that a handful of voters decided who was going to be President in 2000. Never underestimate the power of a single vote—even on the National scene. Voting is having an influence.

But if you want to have a bigger influence on the National scene, then stay up to date on National issues and contact your Congressmen/women and Senators when key issues are being debated. Write letters to them explaining why a particular issue is important to you. When doing this, make sure you have done your research, avoid radical rhetoric, and make it personal to yourself (i.e. show them exactly how the bill they are considering will help or hurt you or a family member).  The effect of a well-researched, well-reasoned, personal letter (as opposed to a quick e-mail) is huge.

Finally, if you really want to have an influence on National politics, check out your Congressmen/women’s schedules. Find out when they are holding a listening session in your district. Meeting your Congressmen/women face to face will have the greatest impact of all.

How can I be politically involved this summer?
Holly Buell: There are many different ways that we can stay involved in the political scene. I think there are two major ways that you can stay involved in politics over the summer. The first is stay informed. Find different news cites and sources to read throughout the summer. There are many different blogs and mainstream news websites that can give you short summaries of what it is going on in the world around you. Staying informed may seem like it takes a lot of effort, but it doesn't. 15 minutes of news a day could keep the ignorance away. Find ways to stay informed and aware this summer. The second would be to look for political opportunities where you live. It is easy to think about what is going on politically at a National level, but we should not overlook State and Local political opportunities. Look for ways in which you can get involved in your own community and make a difference. Maybe if you have a week night open you could even go to a city or town hall meeting. Find out what is happening in your community and make an effort to help out and get involved.

Scott Walker

Kyle Kutz is this year's winner of the Maranatha College Conservative Chapter blog contest! Enjoy reading his thoughts on Walker's next budget.

Walker's Next Budget: Not So Conservative

by Kyle Kutz

When Governor Scott Walker took office two years ago, he instantly took on the massive battle of fighting the state's $3.6 billion standard deficit. Before Walker took office, the state of Wisconsin had never once seen a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) sit on the state's Joint Finance Committee, whose main responsibility is to review all state appropriations and revenues. Walker instantly assigned 5 CPA's to the committee, who assisted in the battle against spending. These CPA's quickly converted to using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). (On a side note, all businesses are required by law to abide by GAAP, while there is no requirement for our state and federal government to do so. Is our debt problem starting to make sense?).

As part of Walker's many reforms, the most notable was Act 10, which limited the bargaining rights of unions across the state and helped cut the state's expenses by millions of dollars. Today, Wisconsin has lowered its GAAP deficit to $2.2 billion, as well as accumulated over $350 million in its “rainy day fund.”  All this to say, Walker appeared to finally be the responsible, fiscal leader that this state desperately needed.

So why my sudden concern? Under Walker's current biennium budget proposal for Fiscal Years 2013-2015, Wisconsin takes an old and familiar path: one that consists of more spending than revenues. Some positives that should be mentioned are the tax cuts proposed by Walker. Walker has proposed lowering three of the middle tax brackets, which will greatly benefit the middle class. However, this cut in revenue is not accompanied with similar spending cuts. In Walker's own Budget in Brief, proposals are made to completely wipe out our “rainy day fund” by the end of 2015, as well as return our GAAP deficit to $3 billion. Over the next 2 years, spending will increase by 7%, while revenues will increase by only 3.5%.

After shrinking government significantly over the past two years, Walker now wants to hire 710 new state full-time employees. This no longer sounds like a conservative, responsible approach to me, and other conservatives have shared their fiscal frustration. This clearly appears to be a politically driven “election budget.” The good news is that the CPA's in the Joint Finance Committee now get their chance to fix the budget. As our state process allows, amendments will be made and problems will be addressed before the budget gets approved by the Republican majorities in the Senate and Assembly.  However, we should ask ourselves this question: Where was Scott Walker's conservatism?

Election Results

 

Tuesday, April 2nd Election Results

Here are the results from Tuesday’s state and local government elections.

• Supreme Court
• Pat Roggensack wins with 57% of the vote.
• Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Tony Evers wins with 61% of the vote.
• Mayor
• John David will serve his third term as mayor of Watertown winning the election with 3,312 votes.
• Watertown Municipal Judge
• Ron Ziwisky wins with 57% of the vote.
• Alderperson Dist. 7
• Augie Tietz wins with 61% of the vote.
• Watertown Unified (3 seats)
• Kate Lapin and Rob Buchanan have both been reelected, and voters added newcomer Steve Kauffeld.