Opinions - The Eastern Echo

How to Fix the Corrupt Influence of Money in Politics

By Austin Elliott · Monday, Nov. 12, 2018

The road to a democracy that works for all Americans includes complete transparency of political donations from individuals and groups, public financing of campaigns that empowers small donors, and overturning the disastrous Supreme Court decision Citizens United.

Why Voting Isn’t Enough

By Rylee Barnsdale · Friday, Nov. 9, 2018

November 6 held another historical election in the United States. Republicans took greater control over the Senate, while the predicted “Blue Wave” only somewhat hit the House of Representatives with Democrats taking over a majority of seats.

Money in Politics is the Most Important Issue Facing America

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018

Money in politics is the most important issue facing our country because it creates a disconnect between what is best for the people, and what is best for the politician. It also is involved in every issue facing America, from healthcare to climate change.

The Reckless Spending Argument has No Credibility

By Stewart B. Epstein · Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018

I am writing to respond to the frequent claim made by conservative-Republicans that Democrats in the Congress and in the liberal part of the news media support "RECKLESS SPENDING" by the federal government on programs that help people.

Don't Bash Donald Trump over his Obnoxious Personality

By Stewart B. Epstein · Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018

I seem to find myself in the minority in today's national Democratic Party.

Why I’m Voting for Democratic Candidates on November 6th

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018

This year, all statewide offices are on the ballot. Michiganders will choose a new governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and local representatives and senators among other elected positions. These make up the backbone of the state government and are extremely important in making key decisions that will affect Michigan for years to come. Since 2011 Republicans have controlled all of these offices. This could all change next week.

Why I Love the #MeToo Movement

By Sam Cooney · Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018

Though it began as an outcry against Hollywood, the #Metoo movement has spread to create positive change in many different communities. The National Domestic Workers Association gained more membership, from nannies to farmers, to demand dignity and fairness in their various domestic workplaces. Finally, victims can speak out and voice their pain to an ever more attentive and acting audience.

Strengthening Friendships One Meal at a Time

By Rylee Barnsdale · Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018

The term “broke college student” is one that the 18-25-year-old knows far too well. Not only does it feel like being in college leads to a loss of money, but to a loss of friendships as well. How can these relationships be rekindled? How does grocery shopping and cooking help bring friends closer together? And most importantly, how do you pull together a quick meal together when you’re on a budget?

The Laughter: The Brett Kavanaugh Hearing and American Rape Culture

By Rylee Barnsdale · Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018

When a woman comes forward to state that she was sexually assaulted, how often is she not believed? How often is she asked, “What were you wearing?” “Had you been drinking?” “Are you sexually active?” How often is she told she was asking for it? How often do we hear when a man is accused of assault or rape that “his career is over” and that he’s “a good boy,” even when he’s over thirty years old?

McDonald's Workers are Protesting and You Should Be Too

By Rylee Barnsdale · Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018

McDonald's employees in ten different American cities walked out in protest of both improving anti-harassment training of employees as well as a higher minimum wage on Tuesday. An article in TIME Magazine about the strike attributed the #MeToo movement as reasoning for workers coming out now about treatment of cases of harassment.

Advice to the Class of 2023

By Christen Ogden Pietraz · Monday, Sept. 24, 2018

Freshman year can be hard, but with this advice, new Eastern Eagles don't have to go through it alone.

#MeToo: An Account of RA Sexual Harassment

By Arica Frisbey · Monday, Sept. 24, 2018

A personal account of sexual harassment from a former resident assistant.

Opinion | Social Inevitability: ‘just deal with it’

By Olivia Grills · Sunday, April 15, 2018

You’re going to get people that disagree from a scale of ‘I don’t see it that way but I see your point’ and ‘you’re the devil and will bring the end of the world in your wake for believing that’. But there’s something troubling among the arguments – a distinctly pessimistic way of thinking: the belief that some of the most troubling things in life are simply inevitable and cannot be changed.

Seven self-care habits for finals week

By Dallas Gomez · Saturday, March 24, 2018

Here are some ways that you can remind yourself that you can do whatever you set your mind to, that you are stronger than you may think, and that it’s just as important to love yourself as it is to pass your exams.

'Elsagate' takes over YouTube children's app

By Gary Simmons · Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017

Recently, The New York Times had an article about an unusual trend on YouTube. The YouTube children app, which was first introduced in 2015, is supposed to be an app that can safely show families kid-friendly videos that are on the video-sharing site.

Politics at Thanksgiving: A tale of two parties

By Jack Swartzinski · Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017

Welcome back, I hope your holiday was filled with all the family fun and turkey it could be. No doubt you were asked some embarrassing questions about your social life or how college is going, but politics was probably another issue that was brought up. Perhaps reigniting all the sour feelings and bitter words from last year.

Rising emo-rapper dead at 21

By Tyler Gaw · Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017

The death of the rising star shocked fans when his manager found Lil Peep unresponsive in his tour bus. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 11 p.m., Nov. 15. The cause of death is thought to be a possible drug overdose, most likely from Xanax, according to CNN sources.

Governor candidate on gerrymandering in Michigan

By Jack Swartzinski · Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017

On Monday, Oct. 23, I asked Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for governor, “If you are elected to office, seeing how gerrymandering is working in our state and the super majorities Republicans hold in both congressional houses, how do you plan on compromising to fulfill your agenda?”

Governor candidate, El-Sayed on Gerrymandering

By Jack Swartzinski · Monday, Nov. 20, 2017

Last Monday, Oct. 23, I asked Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for Governor, “If you are elected to office, seeing how gerrymandering is working in our state and the super majorities Republicans hold in both congressional houses, how do you plan on compromising to fulfill your agenda?”

Letter to the Editor from IYSSE

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017

Students today are living in a period unlike any in history, with unprecedented levels of inequality, escalating military violence and the looming threat of authoritarianism. The average student in Eastern Michigan University's graduating class of 2018 will have lived their entire academic life — 17 years — with the United States at war in Afghanistan. The same student will leave college with an average of over $37,000 of debt. This generation of college students will have shorter lives, lower incomes and fewer opportunities than their parents and grandparents.