Opinion

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OPINION

Queer spaces in Wisconsin are in danger. It’s time to go to the gay bar

By Phillip Jacobs | Mar. 20

On Sunday, March 9, Wisconsin’s queer community suffered a great loss: This is It — the oldest gay bar in the state and Milwaukee’s unofficial drag hub — shut their doors without warning. This is Its' sudden closure may have come as a tragedy to queer Wisconsinites, but it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. If we want queer spaces stay open, we need to start showing up where it counts. In other words, let’s head back to the gay bar. 

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OPINION

A fresh American surge in cycling: Why you should tune into the Tour de France

By Owen Puckett | Mar. 20

With multiple Americans now poised to make real impacts in the Tour, there’s never been a better moment for U.S. fans to give cycling a chance.

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OPINION

Letter to the Editor: UW-Madison leadership must defend Columbia and U.S. higher education

By Matthew T. Hora | Mar. 19

Editor’s note: Letters to the Editor and open letters reflect the opinions, concerns and views of University of Wisconsin-Madison students and community. As such, the information presented may or may not be accurate. Letters to the Editor and open letters do not reflect the editorial views or opinions of The Daily Cardinal.

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OPINION

Democrats need to reconnect with voters. Bernie Sanders’ approach is the best option

By Owen Puckett | Mar. 13

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders offers the best roadmap for Democrats to restore connection with voters and revitalize democracy in the aftermath of the 2025 election. 

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OPINION

Seniors, it’s time to face reality. But that doesn’t mean it’s over yet

By Ella Dunnigan | Mar. 13

Seniors — in about 20 days, you’ll be returning from your last spring break at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. All of a sudden, it’ll be Monday, March 31, and in about six weeks, we’ll be in our caps and gowns as official alumni of UW-Madison. I know what you're thinking — you don’t want to think about it. But it’s time to face the music. So how should you spend your time?

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OPINION

Beyond the blame game: Understanding the 'independent' Trump voter

By Will Collins | Mar. 6

Why dismissing voters as beyond help won't heal America's political divide.

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OPINION

Broken promises, fractured alliances: Trump’s rebuff of Zelenskyy sets a dangerous precedent

By Amina Haniieva | Mar. 6

February 28, 2025 — President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to strengthen United States-Ukraine ties while securing resources for American industries. However, soon after it began, the meeting devolved into a verbal sparring match. But this meeting isn’t just another headline; it marks a global shift with real consequences. 

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OPINION

Conservative influencers are reshaping masculinity. We all pay the price

By Blake Martin | Feb. 27

In recent years, charismatic and hyper-masculine gurus have taken to the internet to peddle advice on all things men’s wellness. But beneath the surface lies the bizarre. The influencers responsible for shaping men’s digital wellness culture have the power to change what it means to be a “real man” in the eyes of those looking up to them. With that kind of power comes influence that shouldn’t be ignored.

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OPINION

Tax cuts for the rich, cuts for the poor: The GOP’s new budget shorts America’s poorest

By Owen Puckett | Feb. 27

The message is clear: America’s wealthiest individuals and billionaires will enjoy increasingly cushy tax breaks, while our nation’s poorest citizens bear the brunt of funding cuts that threaten to fray the safety net to the breaking point.

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OPINION

Cardinal View: Trump’s NIH funding cap is an existential threat to higher education

By The Daily Cardinal Editorial Board | Feb. 20

A slash in funding by the National Institutes of Health will jeopardize the future of scientific discovery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and other research universities.

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OPINION

Executive takeover is here. This is a constitutional crisis

By Aidan Cummins | Feb. 20

What’s so different about President Donald Trump this time? This time, he is backed by a well-oiled political machine with the means and the motives to ensure you end his current term with less rights than you started with, and our constitution is in crisis because of it. 

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OPINION

The Grammys have lost credibility. It’s time to rethink their influence

By Safa Razvi | Feb. 13

For the past couple of years, the Recording Academy has been subject to criticism, scrutinized for snubbing deserving artists and failing to recognize talent in diverse musicians. If the Grammys truly aim to honor the best in music, they need to start recognizing the artists responsible for shaping the industry.

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OPINION

Last call at Paul’s: Buy a book before Madison loses a literary landmark

By Owen Puckett | Feb. 13

Madison’s beloved Paul’s Bookstore is closing its doors after 70 years. In its final days, take the chance to experience the magic of browsing its overstuffed shelves – before it’s too late.

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OPINION

Madison is a pedestrian’s world. It’s time to share the road

By Blake Martin | Feb. 6

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my four years here, it’s this: Madison is a pedestrian’s world, and everyone else is driving in it. Here, crosswalks are nothing more than a loose suggestion, and drivers hoping for a gap in a constant stream of students are invisible. But, on campus, we need to do a better job of looking out for each other, and we can start by sharing the road.

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OPINION

TikTok is back. Let’s bury it for good

By Blake Martin | Jan. 30

Less than 24 hours after U.S. servers went dark, TikTok crawled out of a shallow grave, leaving users with mixed emotions. While some have celebrated TikTok’s unexpected return, others have noticed that something about the app seems different, and in some cases, more heavily censored. If young Americans want to imagine a world where they can stay informed without reliance on social media, censored or not, it’s time to bury TikTok for good.

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OPINION

Trump causes political disruption, creating more uncertainty than ever for America

By Maya Morvis | Jan. 30

President Donald Trump's early decisions as president set a troubling precedent, signaling a future of divisive policies and uncertain leadership for America.

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OPINION

When the game becomes a gamble: The silent crisis of sports betting in college

By Owen Puckett | Jan. 23

Sports betting apps are reshaping the college experience, turning excitement into exploitation. It’s time for universities to step in and stop the harm.

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OPINION

When looking for clubs, don't seek comfort

By Safa Razvi | Jan. 23

Like many other students, when faced with more than 1,000 clubs to choose from, I wanted to stay in my comfort zone — giving major and career-oriented clubs first pick. But if my experience working with The Vault has taught me anything, exploring the unexpected can lead to fantastic results.

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OPINION

Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Education is a dangerous gamble for Wisconsin

By Maya Morvis | Dec. 5

The Department of Education forms the foundation of Wisconsin’s education system. Trump shouldn’t dismantle it.

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OPINION

SAFEwalk hasn’t helped women feel any safer, just uncomfortable

By Lillie Sunby | Dec. 5

SAFEwalk works by sending students in pairs to a person’s location to walk them anywhere on campus at night so they don’t need to go by themself. It seems like a great idea — free, convenient and meant to protect students walking home alone after dark. But after spending two years on campus, I’ve found that despite the university's efforts to promote SAFEwalk, students still refuse to use it.