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Page 6 - February 22, 1985 Opinion THE GAMECO|J< | . Expensive S.C. legislators need to budget travel money If you want to know where your tax money is going, just ask South Carolina lawmakers. It seems that this year, traveling was the in thing to do ? and according to figures obtained from the State Comptroller General's office, lawmakers traveled first class. More than $1 million was reimbursed last year for food, travel, lodging and time to South Carolina legislators. Just when these same lawmakers raise sales taxes a penny for education, you find out they spent more than $1 million of South Carolina's money on travel. Perhaps they enjoy living the "good life" but must it be at our expense? The state of South Carolina paid out $1,069,943 to lawmakers, covering expenses associated with their work in the General Assembly. The total included $739,972 for meals and hotel expenses. It seems a bit ridiculous that a group ol citizens involved in running the state could spend so much money on travel. Perhaps they stayed at the Marriott Hotel when they were on business. The average amount spent in the House was S6,535 and $5,641 in the Senate. With 52 weeks in the year, this means Mouse members spent $125 of taxpayers' money every weekend. This kind of money may not mean much to lawmakers, but to those who dish out their salaries and spend even more lor their travel, it gets a bit expensive. Three lawmakers claiming the most expenses were Rep. T.W. Edwards, D-Spartanburg, and senators James Waddell, D-Bcaufort, and Ed Garrison, DAnderson. Apparently, these lawmakers worked harder than anyone else in South Carolina's Senate and House last year. Edwards said the expenses came from serving on I 1 state panels and eight panels of national legislative organizations. Garrison claims the expenses are justified. One lawmaker said his expenses were high because he spends two, three and four times in Columbia a week and those expenses ac^l up. Another legislator said he rents an apartment in Columbia beeause he spends so much time in the eapitol. It must be nice to have a job which includes rent payment, along with travel and food expenses. | Though this may be more than a part-time job, expenses would not be that high if legislators used a little common sense and put a maximum price tag on their more than maximum expenses. The expenses incurred from their positions are cerl:unlv iiicfifiprt hur if l'ju/muL.>rc i?jh ,l?t.<1.,. budget for the state, they can also determine a budget for their travel expenses. One million may be a small amount to South Carolina legislators, but for taxpayers, it is a high price to pay for services rendered. Marisa Porto, Wire/Opinion page editor The Gamecock The Gtmecock welcomes letters and guest Editor in Chief editorials. All letters and guest editorials must be Leslie J Ounson typewritten, triple spaced on a 65 space line. Managing Editor Letters should be no longer than 300 words and John Oeiner 0U85' editorials should be limited to one news Copy Desk Chief worthy subject no longer than four typed pages. I Ann Farmer Letters and guest editorials MUST be signed with News Editor name, telephone number, mailing ad Ron Brackett dress, class standing or faculty position and ma A?t. Newt Editor i?r Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but the writer's Gregg Lasky name nl8V be withheld upon request if the cir Entertainment Editor cumstinces warrant. Andy Duncan "serve the right to edit guest editorials and Asst. Ent. Editor letters Robert O'Connor Address letters and columns to: Opinion Page i Sports Editor Editor. The Gamecock. Drawer A. USC, Columbia, ! Tracy Muson S.C. 29208. : Asst. Sports Editor j ; joe Sitar; General Manager Ad Manager i WirejOpinion Editor Ron Emler Oou9 T'"eblood Mar.sa Porto Adviser GraduHe Assistant i 0,11 n...? Fholo tflltor "??='? nun Duiiiaiian Joseph Garnet* | Asst Photo Editor Newsroom Advertising ; Joe Bicker 777 7181 777 4249 ! Business Office Production 777 3888 777 2833 m- * 1 i ??????? - vm\ msNio\ Animals hav To the editor: In reference to the article "MUSC's Purchase of Pets for Research Causes Controversy," both Berkley and Newberry counties deserve commendation for their efforts to ban pound seizure. Pound seizure is the practice of releasing pound animals to research facilities lor experimentation purposes. Although leu siates actually mandate pound seizure, many socalled "shelters" and pounds, including Columbia City Pound, voluntarily release their animals to research institutions. Many are former pets, and as scientists point out, are under severe stress in the alien environment of the lab. I'll is can alter body chemistry and affect the outcome of the study. At an anti-pound seizure conference in 1982, Dr. Donald Doyle, Golden Rule is To the editor: A good atheist friend and fellow USC s believe in The Golden Rule ? and he pi Lincoln had only The Golden Rule for a As a cermony-loving Episcopalian, sh for directly asking God to help him follow without routing his requests through an God be offended by mere man? Should atheist friend for trying to make it alone But if my friend fails ? he'll still see a he down to him. Bloom County NO OCNeML.. m ReSPeCTfULLY i OBJECT 70 mese NEWS BLACK- UN. OUTS ON YOUR KCRbT 5WTri? YOt FLIGHTS.. Y?5 5/R. 51R? OH NO, 56Ct | 5IR - \ SJR? j ? 3fll lilpjl#Bloom County he sfrino rucb# 1... W&ION ^ mu 0 ,, Jfejl ? .VM ST? Letters e rights too, a I.os Angeles surgeon, stated: "The use of former pets is actually counterproductive to the proper development of concern and compassion for one's patients. The though; occured that if one botched surgery, it did not matter since the subject was only a dog that would be killed after class. Surgical dexterity is actually an innate skill that must be perfected by observation and work alongside an older, more experienced surgeon on meaningful patients." All animals have basic rights, including the right not to suffer needlessly. Alternatives are a\ ail able and include computers, (the University of Texas has replaced its entire dog lab with computers) robots (a dog mannequin called "Resusci-dog" is available to veterinarian schools for practice of - important creed Except for the in' tudent says atheists theatrical productic actices it. Likewise, most other rommu creed. except to be "Gold ouId I fault Lincoln In fact, why car The Golden Rule? "Prayer in School y church? And can teachers of it every we not admire my i? God is very busy. Iping hand reaching 06N6RAL . COUtP 'HOCP OH A )NQ ? ni lin 4 ill 11 i. k iA A A/9i iww J [____ Coooyo (''OJJ So'v<?? \ Jgl < gf J reaaer says* ( CPR) and videotapes of actual surgical procecdures on real patients. Unfortunately, these alternatives are often ignored due to the scientific community's resistance to change and easy access to pound animals. More time, money and effort must he poured into alternatives so that sentient, unconsenting creatures are no longer victims of research. Columbian1 should he aware that they hold the power to repeal pound seizure in Columbia. With the precedents set by Newberry ^1 I Berkley for encouragement, we too can come that much closer to a better, I iiivi v v\'iii|/l?^3i\rilUi<. \>ui 1U I V11 illllllclIlN and animals alike. Aleta Bollinger English senior , student says spiring ceremony 1 love ? surpassing most I ?ns ? and the social value of all church and I nity get-togethers, what do we really nAl I d en Rulers ?" i't the Golden Rule be the answer to the I" hassle? Let the students remind the day ? and especially before all exams. James Galloway Special studies student by Berke Breathed "I m I 1 I /v aPAm.apeAcmrn I W LH\nv\j i/T\UflsjI C"K I i ^ FASCIST POOP.'... I '< 1 ^ I pi N-I | 7) i 1H> 1 s \i( i ^ ' "* | r by Berke Breatreol * I .yo not cm, even hurtle II \ r , . i ONeseiF into a pan pet ion Am \ J|// #?rc// 5CRemm UKe /? / 7M r/ mp expect ure [ ' I I / 70 MM MY MOfie StNSe 1 1 # THM fT PIP 0 FORe. " [ 41 < j n |1