Redistribution of funds is possible

In his Sunday column, “Shouting shouldn’t sway big decisions on the economy,” James McCusker critiques a March 4 protest at the University of Washington as being too narrowly focused, highlighting the injustice of tuition increases but ignoring where the funds would come from. McCusker seems to be confused about two things.

First, he is completely ignoring the demands of this protest and of the organization that called the protest, the Student/Worker Coalition. The SWC has proposed solutions to the tuition problem that don’t involve laying off third grade teachers or closing clinics. We can start by cutting from the salaries of top administrators at UW. President Mark Emmert makes almost a million dollars and lives in the presidential mansion for free while he OKs the layoffs of janitors and teaching assistants — perhaps these priorities should be reconsidered.

On the state level, the poorest 20 percent of the people in Washington pay 17 percent of their income in taxes, while the richest pay 3 percent. Even a small increase of taxes on the rich could make significant differences in the state budget shortfall. On the federal level, let’s redirect money from wars to education. As UW worker Steve Leigh puts it, “The money is there — it just goes to the wrong people for the wrong purposes.”

Second, McCusker doesn’t understand how change actually happens in the United States. These sorts of demonstrations are the only tool we have to gain advances. African Americans gained several rights through demonstrations and militant struggle during the civil rights movement. Without protests and strikes, workers would never have won Social Security, welfare, the eight-hour workday or the right to organize in unions. During the Great Depression, FDR approved the New Deal as a response to mass uprisings against the economic conditions — directly refuting McCusker’s claim that the “piñata model only works in times of solid economic growth.”

Amy Smith

UW student/SWC member

Seattle

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

State single-payer health care bill offers many advantages

I was excited to read in Will Geschke’s report (“Everett lawmakers back… Continue reading

Important national story missing from Herald

I couldn’t find a report in The Herald that the Trump administration… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s ‘Man-of-Steel’ shtick will make U.S. weaker

Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum will harm allies we need and won’t help industries here.

Comment: AG Bondi’s DEI memo more messaging than lawsuit threat

Talk of criminal investigations is intended to panic corporations into abandoning their DEI programs.

Goldberg: Why Musk, Vance went to bat for self-desribed racist

While a former Trump official is on the outs for doing his job, a proud racist gets his job back.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 12

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

Welch: State Democrats’ bill would undermine parental rights

The bill would allow kids as young as 13 to make mental health decisions without notice to parents.

Kristof: Child malnutrition lost in politics over aid cuts

A young journalist describes the scene in Madagascar where a nutritious porridge provides a lifeline.

Comment: Trump sticks with NOAA official who bent to his ego

We haven’t seen the last of Trump’s Sharpie-amended reality and it’s destabilizing effect on scientists.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.