Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

1. It’s Election Day! Go vote!

2. Millage to Fund Area Schools on Ballot

The State of Michigan, which provides 90% of Washtenaw school funding, cut funding by $525 per pupil and next year’s stimulus-less budget is expected to cut school funding by another $600 per student. Proposal 1 would rase property taxes by $2 for every $1000 of taxable value (note: not the value of the house).

The millage is opposed by Citizens for a Responsible (read: selfish) Washtenaw and Ann Arbor Citizens for Responsible (read: stingy) School Spending. You don’t have to be a cryptographer to figure that one out. One of their primary arguments is that “threats from Lansing to drastically cut school funding are just that…school funding is a top priority”. Evidently, they don’t know Mike Bishop.

3. 2 Contested Council Seats

Two of the five Ann Arbor City Council seats are contested today. Incumbent Sabra Briere will face-off against “independent” challenger Mitchell Ozog in the first ward, while the fourth ward contains a match-up between incumbent Marcia Higgins and Michigan Student Hatim Elhady. Responding to her challenge from a student, she said “City Council is not a game”. As if the fact that a person under 50 was running implied that it was.

4. Nightmare at Elm Street

The traditional halloween Elm Street block party ended with a group of students throwing bottles at a moving car and then brutally beating a 19-year old man. His offense? He tried to drive on the street. On the street! Can you even believe it?

5. UN vs. Iran vs. US – This’ll end well

The UN, through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has proposed that Iran ship 70% of its enriched uranium overseas to be processed and returned as fuel for its research reactor. This plan would ensure that uranium is not of a high-enough grade to be used in a nuclear weapon. Quite typically, Iran is screwing us around with some government ministers saying the proposal was a possibility and others saying that it is not. Still no official response but it appears that Iran is pushing for new talks. Now we’re getting somewhere…

6. Football

After a spectacularly horrific 38-13 loss to the (previously) 1-6 University of Illinois on Saturday, players are looking for answers. Daily Sports Editor, Ruth Lincoln doesn’t have any, which is slightly better than Donovan Warren’s answer which was taking “a look in the mirror”.

Adding to our problems, Brandon Minor still has a high ankle sprain, Greg Banks sprang his foot, and Martavious Odoms has an injured knee.

In fairness to Warren, he’s a great player who has 10 pass-break-ups and 3 interceptions this season.

7. Strong Economic Report

Good News:

Manufacturing grew at fastest pace in 3 years

Construction spending rose

Sales of previously owned homes rose for 8th straight month

America’s banks are stable

The Dow rose above 10,000

Bad News:

We wasted all that money on the stimulus.

8. Community College Plan Might Not Be Enough

The economic recession has hit Community Colleges particularly hard. Because most of their funding comes from the State, this year’s budget crisis has devastated their ____. For example, California cut $840 million for Community College. At the same time, enrollment is rising as displaced workers looking for educational advancement at a good price enter the already packed halls. Last year, 12% of 18 to 24 year-olds were enrolled in Community College. A massive increase over the 10.9% who attended just two years ago.

President Obama has called for an investment of $12 billion in these 1,200 institutions that educate more than half of our undergraduates. The money would be used to expand facilities, and establish online classes, both of which would help deal with the influx of students.

9. Local Elections are Important

Seth Buchsbaum makes a valiant attempt to get college kids to care about local elections. He notes that “these issues affect the lives of everyone who lives in Ann Arbor, students or otherwise” and “elections, especially local ones, are decided by a tiny percentage of the electorate”. Unfortunately, he’s preaching to the choir.

10. And…Funny Halloween Costumes!

A Mustard Container. That’s not a typo.

A Jar of Milk

MCard Girl