Author Archives: dave cieslewicz

One reason that the Supreme Court’s decision ending race-based preferences in university admissions probably will be less significant than it might seem is that, for the vast majority of college applicants, it simply won’t matter much. That’s because most colleges accept most of those who apply. It’s only a relative handful of schools that areContinue reading “Why the Affirmative Action Decision Might Not Matter”

I’ve found the Madison public schools’ new superintendent. Her name is Katharine Birbalsingh. The British educator, 49, has developed an international reputation for a no-nonsense approach. She was the subject of a lengthy interview in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend. Here are some inspiring excerpts. Ms. Birbalsingh herself is of mixed heritage, withContinue reading “Madison’s New Superintendent”

There’s an age-old debate within the Democratic Party. Literally. With regard to Pres. Joe Biden’s age I’d say my party falls into three camps. Those who worry that his age will doom his candidacy and so they want him replaced on the ticket, those who think his age hurts him but don’t see any alternative,Continue reading “Biden’s Age Matters”

Legislative Republicans have an idea that’s not half-bad. A proposal is floating around the Wisconsin Legislature to require the UW to grant automatic admission to any Wisconsin student who graduates in the top 5% of their high school class. They might not intend it this way, but it looks like that could be a significantContinue reading “Consider Automatic Admissions on Merit”

With his line item vetoes, Gov. Tony Evers may have just created a new supplemental budget process to take place this fall. Evers did a nice job of wielding his veto pen. It may be the most masterful and bold use of the veto since Tommy Thompson was lauded with a headline in the GreenContinue reading “What To Do With $3.3 Billion”

Gov. Tony Evers is pouring over the $99 billion budget sent to him by Speaker Robin Vos. My guess is that he’ll sign it, maybe this week, with some clever line item vetos to nudge the document closer to what he wants, but he won’t veto it altogether. What isn’t in all that paper isContinue reading “What Happened to AmFam?”

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Independence Day than to reprise the Harper’s letter. Issued three year ago by a group of distinguished scholars, writers, scientists and artists and published in Harper’s Magazine, it was titled, A Letter on Justice and Open Debate. In normal times a statement like this might haveContinue reading “America is About Classical Liberal Values”

We have a classically liberal Supreme Court. In three and a half major cases this term SCOTUS’ decisions made America better. As a classical liberal, I support the Court’s decisions in three of these cases and I kind of support the fourth (hence the half). But before I get to that it’s important to noteContinue reading “Why I Like This Supreme Court”

It’s pretty simple. To see how simple it is let’s take this short quiz. When the issue is abortion Democrats win. If the issue becomes affirmative action they’ll lose. If you’re a Democrat which issue do you want to emphasize? If you answered affirmative action, we’re into social promotion here at YSDA so you getContinue reading “Keep Focus on Abortion, Not Affirmative Action”

Now that the Supreme Court has done as expected and shot down Pres. Biden’s loan forgiveness plan, this is a good time to review the arguments against this ill-conceived scheme. It’s the furthest thing from progressive. On average those with four-year degrees earn $1.4 million more over their careers than those who didn’t pick upContinue reading “SCOTUS Right on Student Debt”