Arianna Huffington, political analyst and author, visited Dartmouth on Thursday as part of a national campus tour to promote her latest book, "Pigs At The Trough." After speaking to an audience of students, professors and area residents about America's shortage of principled and visionary leaders, Huffington spoke to The Dartmouth about her views on other current issues.
The Dartmouth: What do you feel are the three most important domestic political issues?
Arianna Huffington: One, tax justice. It's clear that the system is deeply unfair. Companies use tax shelters ... they avoid paying over $70 billion per year. They are abandoning their country and being rewarded. Two, education. We read story after story about schools that have to close before the term is over, of crumbling buildings. Three, the war on drugs. If a student [on scholarship] is caught with drugs, you can lose your funding. There are 500,000 non-violent drug offenders in jail.
TD: You have expressed concerns about the influence of special interest money on American leaders. Do you feel that term limits -- such as a single six-year term for the president -- would address the problem?
AH: Minor improvements. There is a systemic failure that we need to address. Massive campaign contributions lead to bad public policy that would not be there.
TD: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's advisor Richard Perle resigned today. How do you feel about this?
AH: Fantastic! I wrote my column about him. It is such a disturbing thought. It's part of this disturbing phenomenon: privatizing public service.
TD: How do you feel about the Bush administration's decision to bypass the United Nations?
AH: The administration's decision was not based on clear and present danger. In the end, that's what is missing from the case.
TD: Now that the war against Iraq is underway, what do you feel the domestic long-term effects will be?
AH: Disastrous. The spread of anti-American sentiment is profound; we have succeeded in uniting our enemies against us. We see the opportunity costs of our obsession with Iraq; India and Pakistan are detonating [nuclear delivery platforms] tit for tat, and North Korea broke off the last communications [with America].
TD: Your "Detroit Project" has linked fuel consumption to terrorism. What vehicle would you recommend for an American family of four?
AH: First of all, every family should be free to choose whatever they want, but put pressure on Washington and Detroit to improve efficiency. Hybrid technology exists for SUVs and cars.
