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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS |MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017
Josh Jackson selected No.4 overall by Phoenix Suns
OPINION
Liston: Both major political parties need reform
KANSAN.COM
- RYAN LISTON
@rliston235
Illustration by Gracie Williams
Politics can often seem like a whirlwind of debauchery and corruption. Currently, with President Donald Trump's ongoing Russia scandal, the Republican Party may seem particularly rotten. However, the Democratic Party is not wholly perfect either.
On July 11, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted screenshots of an email conversation he had with publicist Rob Goldstone indicating that the Russian government wanted to provide damaging information regarding Hillary Clinton to the Trump campaign. To me, this spells out collusion in bold letters.
A few days after seeing the frenzy caused by these tweets, I read a CBS News article about former Clinton White House aide Alexandra Chalupa seeking out damaging information on then-candidate Trump from the Ukrainian government. This was not a breaking report, but it was the first time I read about the situation. To me, this again spells out collusion; although, the Ukrainian meddling seems less severe and less-connected with the Clinton campaign.
Nonetheless, neither of our political parties should be turning to foreign entities in an attempt to beat the other in elections.
Collusion, while likely one of the most corrupt acts by either party, is only one issue that the parties need to address. The Democratic and Republican Parties both need major reform.
On the Republican side, falling in line behind a candidate that is so blatantly sexist, incompetent and narcissistic is deplorable. During the primaries, Trump was roundly criticized even by members of his own party. Yet during the general election, most Republican opposition faded even when Trump was at his worst. The GOP supports a man who threatens the free press, attacks women on their looks, mocked a disabled reporter, labeled Mexicans as criminals and frighteningly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his strong leadership when discussing the killings of Putin's political enemies and of journalists who criticized Putin's regime.
Instead of leading to any retrospection, President Trump's actions have emboldened some other members of the Republican Party to act similarly. One of the more extreme examples of this manifested when Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte — then a candidate for Montana's House seat and the eventual winner of that election — body-slammed a reporter.
On the Democratic side, the Democratic National Committee seemingly put its weight behind Clinton during the primaries in an attempt to stop Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders from winning the Democratic nomination. Leaked emails show that the DNC strate-
gized ways to weaken the Sanders campaign.
The Democratic Party also places heavy emphasis on higher education, which to many Americans is financially unattainable, and environmental issues that some people rightfully worry will put them out of work.
Sanders himself pushed for a reform of the Democratic Party with his "political revolution." He hoped to make the party's platform highlight income and wealth inequality, job creation from converting to renewable energy, and a general focus on growing the country's middle class.
On both sides, politicians rely heavily on wealthy donors and special interests to
get elected and push their agendas. This reliance on big money takes a politician's focus away from everyday Americans and encourages them to court donors who can aide their political ambitions. Consequently, the problems and issues that most Americans face can take a back seat to the will of corporations and wealthy individuals.
The onus of creating a political system that works for everyone is not just on the major political parties; it is on all of us. We need to be active and passionate about the issues that we face.
We must vote for politicians who we believe will institute necessary changes to their parties. We must
vote for politicians who place an emphasis on campaign finance reform and making the government work for the people. We must vote for politicians that we trust will act ethically when campaigning and when governing instead of undermining our democracy.
Reform comes from a demand for change. We cannot wait for years before calling for such reform. We need to make it clear now that the current political climate is unacceptable, and that we will not tolerate cut-throat politics anymore.
Ryan Liston is a junior from Laurence studying journalism and political science
Kansas Athletics announced that a $300 million renovation will be coming to Memorial Stadium, which will include an indoor practice facility and infrastructure upgrades.
ternoons have been spent cheering for the Jayhawks through thick and, unfortunately, a lot of thin moments. But, it's impossible to argue that the stadium doesn't need improvements.
It's the seventh-oldest stadium still used by an FBS team. It shows signs of wear across its exterior. It's severely outdated by contemporary standards.
It's undoubtedly time for an upgrade.
This is a great move for all interested parties. For the fans, it's going to enhance the game-day experience for the die hards who trek down the hill to see the Jayhawks play. For the players, specifically future recruits, it becomes a more inviting and
thing else at the University.
Discussing college athletics finances is a great way to find out that someone has absolutely no idea what they're talking about. Kansas football isn't going to use $300 million that otherwise would have gone to improving the School of Education or updating equipment in the School of Journalism or whichever department you feel is underfunded.
Things like the Williams Fund and private donors are main sources of income for supporting Kansas Athletics projects. It's understandable that seeing a huge sum of money being spent on football facilities could cause a stir, considering the financial straits the University might be facing in some areas. The reality, though, is that this money will be completely disconnected from the rest of the University.
Football is a massive tool for recruiting (both athletically and for general students), alumni relations and income, and if you don't see that then you simply aren't paying attention.
Alabama is a perfect case study for this. A gold standard for college football, the Crimson Tide's on-field success has generated an unconscionable amount of money
and publicity for that school. It's unrealistic for Kansas, or really any program, to think it can reach Alabama's level of success, but it's clear that improving football will improve the University in other areas.
Again, you need to spend money in order to make it. Putting money into the program now, or at least in the near future, will show dedication to the program and is going to help bring in more high-level recruits over time. The football team needs to get better, and this move will
help in that pursuit.
Most of the arguments against the spending come up baseless and sound unintelligent. The money isn't being stolen from other University programs. Memorial Stadium is nearly 100 years old - it needs to be repaired and updated.
And if your argument is based around asking why you would spend $300 million to help a football team that won two games in the last two seasons combined, take a moment and think critically.
Why wouldn't you spend money to try to improve the program? What else would you do, just ignore the disaster and let the team fall into irreparable ruin? That notion is ridiculous and poorly thought out at best.
The cost of this project is a small price to pay for improving the team, and subsequently the University, over time. Don't get caught up in the price tag or the view from your ivory tower. Trying to better the football team is better for all of us who support the University.
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