Major parties need push from third candidate

from the April 10, 2004 Oshkosh Northwestern

In a recent editorial, you stated that a Democrat challenging Gregg Underheim "means that the critical issues of the day will be aired and discussed. We disagree. We believe that both major parties have given our state a structural deficit, out of control spending, assaults on our environment, tax breaks for the wealthy, tax increases for average people in the form of fees and tuition increases and a corrupt political system not capable of reforming itself. The Democratic governor and the Republican legislature are not willing or able to deal with the critical issues facing our community and state. A Democrat rubber-stamping Gov. Doyle will be as bad as Underheim rubber-stamping John Gard.

We believe that serious and critical issues will be aired and discussed only if a Green Party candidate enters the 54th Assembly District race. We are asking UW Oshkosh professor Tony Palmeri to be that candidate.

Palmeri has been a positive voice for reform in our community. On campus, he has been a voice for faculty and student rights. We don't know of anyone in the community who speaks to the Green values of social justice, protecting our environment, and respect for grassroots democracy as effectively as Palmeri. He has the leadership abilities necessary to take on the corrupt status quo in Madison.

We encourage members of the Oshkosh community to contact Tony Palmeri and ask him to run in the 54th Assembly District.

Only with Palmeri in the race will the voters get a real discussion of the critical issues facing both the state and local area.

Paul Schmidt and Justin Mitchell, UW Oshkosh Campus Greens