The views expressed on the Daily's editorial page on Thursday advanced several flawed arguments with regard to student support for the millage and participation in the election that we, the College Democrats, must address (Students wrong to push millage on property owners, 11/05/2009).

The millage would have helped fill the gap in K-12 education funding that the state legislature created with its drastic cuts to the budget for this fiscal year. Tax revenue has fallen due to the state of the economy which, combined with the Republican-controlled Senate's decision to block any new revenue sources, made program cuts inevitable. Educated students are the foundation of Michigan's economic recovery. Michigan's students will not only create a more capable workforce but also spur the growth of new industry in the state.

As University students, we recognize early education as a stepping stone for higher achievement. Andrea Siklosi's letter on student election participation was, therefore, fundamentally flawed. First of all, she is simply incorrect to assert that the millage would not have affected University students. Many students rent houses off campus — the millage would have levied a tax on these properties and landlords would have passed it onto tenants as a rent increase. Her reasoning reflects a fundamental lack of understanding of basic economic principles and housing realities at the University.

But in any case, it’s ridiculous to suggest that participation in the political process should be contingent on paying taxes. By Siklosi's logic, students probably should not have the right to vote at all, because they do not contribute a significant amount to total tax revenues. Additionally, her piece implies that votes cast by wealthier people (who typically pay higher taxes) ought to be weighted more heavily than votes cast by people of lesser economic status. This backward logic is absurd. Our country decided long ago that the franchise should not be conditional on wealth or property. It’s tragic to see that some students on this campus have forgotten our nation's history of restricted voting rights.

We are disappointed that the millage failed to pass and students in Washtenaw County will suffer substantial cuts in their education as a result of the voters' decision. But policy debates aside, we are insulted that this editorial page would carry pieces tarnished with such absurd reasoning.

College Democrats is a group of students who are interested in Democratic and progressive politics. We are unashamed about any of our activism and we will continue to support efforts in Ann Arbor and throughout the state of Michigan.

Samuel Marvin
Chair of the University’s chapter of the College Democrats