Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Opinion: Hookup culture both dominates and diminishes self-worth

By Ally Graham · Monday, June 3, 2019

The gaining popularity of hookup culture is altering our generation in more ways than one. Is this careless, fun outlook taking millennials down a road of empowerment or a slippery slope to a depressive state?

Opinion: Warren's student debt forgiveness proposal is good for America

By Austin Elliott · Friday, May 31, 2019

Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveiled last month her plan for student loan debt forgiveness and universal college. With obvious benefits for lower and middle-class families, the plan also shows promise for some of America’s most struggling families.

'There is no planet B' climate change activist sign

Opinion: We need to take dramatic action on climate change

By Heather Weigel · Friday, May 31, 2019

A tornado tore through western Ohio and into the issue of climate change. It has shone a light on the need for better disaster infrastructure and proactivity for combating climate change.

Limiting screen time is essential for healthy living

By Ally Graham · Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Our phones have become an incredibly powerful tool, but with that power comes great risks and dangers. Too much time consumed on your phone can be harmful mentally, emotionally and physically.

Ypsilanti correctly decides to remove Peninsular Park Dam

By Marcus Lawniczak · Thursday, May 23, 2019

Ypsilanti City Council voted to remove the Peninsular Park Dam. The financial and environmental problems it has created made this an easy decision, but ambitious future plans should be taken with a grain of salt.

Friendly fire: a Michigan Republican’s case for Trump impeachment

By Heather Weigel · Thursday, May 23, 2019

Justin Amash (R-Mich.) has said what Democratic Party leaders have been reluctant to say regarding the Mueller report: that President Trump has committed impeachable offenses.

Vaccines -- A Necessity, Not an Option

By Ally Graham · Thursday, May 23, 2019

With the rise of the anti-vaccination movement, more people’s lives, especially children’s, are at risk now more than ever.

Michigan GOP continues to disregard the will of the people

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, May 21, 2019

The Michigan GOP has disregarded the will of the people with its new budget. With cuts to the Department of State and Attorney General’s office, it’s clear that Senate Republicans are playing politics.

Echo-Chamber Danger

By Heather Weigel · Friday, May 17, 2019

Experience with a somewhat toxic, now defunct student organization pushes a former campus leader to reconsider how campus organizations, especially of a political nature, ought to be structured. Placing emphasis on a marketplace of ideas and stressing intellectual and ideological diversity may be valuable changes to improve the atmosphere of campus organizations.

John Hickenlooper campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa

Too many Democrats are running for president

By Austin Elliott · Wednesday, May 15, 2019

With so many Democrats running for president, what are the disadvantages? Some candidates may be ruining their political potential in 2020 by launching a bid for the presidency.

Smash the patriarchy sign at the Women's March in Washington D.C.

Infringing on women’s reproductive rights

By Ally Graham · Tuesday, May 14, 2019

With anti-abortion bills and movements on the rise, it’s important to stay educated about abortion and to continue to dispel any misinformation. Above all, we must protect a woman’s right to choose.

Gun control laws are not effective

By Paul Gerdes · Friday, May 10, 2019

I recently read an opinion piece called "Why We Need Gun Control Now" by Ally Graham, in which she claims that she wants an open conversation about gun control. So that's where I come in. I am pro-gun myself, so I’m more than happy to discuss the issue.

Bernie Sanders at a Campaign Rally in Madison, WI.

Allowing prisoners to vote is not a radical idea

By Marcus Lawniczak · Friday, May 10, 2019

At a CNN presidential town hall on Monday, April 22, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders argued that American citizens behind bars should be able to cast a ballot. Many in the mainstream media pounced on this statement by the presidential candidate, claiming it to be radical and far-left. But the reality, something the U.S. legacy media is not always in accordance with, is far different.

Policy Over Glamour: Pete Buttigieg for President

By Austin Elliott · Wednesday, April 17, 2019

The Democratic Party is set to have a historic primary season, as 18 major candidates have already announced their run for the White House. The party has also amassed the most diverse primary field in history, with more women and minority candidates than ever before. But in a time when urgent problems plague the nation, identity politics is not enough.

Strong Female Leads in Hollywood: We Still Have a Long Way to Go

By LaDaisha Greenfield · Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Last year was a prominent year for showcasing diversity on the big screen. Movies like “Black Panther” and “Crazy Rich Asians” have not only broken records at the box office but are also critically acclaimed for breaking racial barriers on the big screen. But what Hollywood seriously lacks is strong female leads that portray women as more than just a man’s sidekick.

Increase in Parking Citations Shows Negatives of Privatization

By Marcus Lawniczak · Wednesday, April 17, 2019

In December 2017, Eastern Michigan University’s Board of Regents approved a 35-year contract with LAZ Parking, officially privatizing campus parking. The decision, which resulted in a one-time $55 million payment to the university, led to a major increase in parking citations. Continued privatization is a dangerous path for the university to take.

Letter to the Editor: Enbridge Line 5

By Ryan Duffy · Wednesday, April 10, 2019

I respect that people are passionate about the environment. As Earth Day nears, I want to add my voice to the mix.

Anti-LGBTQ Laws Put Brunei Under Boycott

By Ally Graham · Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Brunei, a small country in Southeast Asia, is being boycotted worldwide following extreme anti-LGBTQ laws including punishments such as being stoned to death for being gay.

Line 5 Needs to be Decommissioned Sooner

By Marcus Lawniczak · Tuesday, April 9, 2019

On March 28, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order nullifying approved construction of a tunnel encased oil pipeline underneath the Straits of Mackinac. Once completed in seven to ten years, Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline would have been decommissioned.

GM Owes Communities for Closing Plants

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Despite making over $8.1 billion in profit after taxes in 2018, General Motors is planning to close five plants in the United States, including the plant in Detroit-Hamtramck. The decision to cut costs was made to save the company $6 billion by 2020 and the company plans to open new plants in Mexico.