The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 06, 1991, Page 3, Image 3
Honor
State Legislature sends message
with vote on lobbyist's money <
The South Carolina State Legislature sent a powerful message ?
this past week when it voted to allow lobbyists to pay for their \
meals. This message to the people of this state should have been a
banner headline ? We are as corrupt as ever.
After the national scandal caused by lobbyists bribing S.C. legi- tl
slators for votes, this tarnished political organization could have d
reformed itself, bringing respect back to South Carolina politics. a
Instead, the House voted 54-53 to repeal a six-week-old ban on ^
accepting meals from lobbyists. The new "reform" package allows e
lobbyists to buy meals and drinks for legislators up to a limit of
$25. What difference does that limit make if a lobbvist could con
ceivably pick up the tab for a state lawmaker at breakfast, lunch r
and dinner in perpetuity? r
There are four ethics proposals being debated right now, but all
are weak attempts to limit campaign contributions. Alas, there is r
more than one way to get a politician's favor. Limits on campaign r
budgets and the like will only push the lobbyists into more crea- i
tive ways of greasing the wheels of government. 2
One way is to buy meals for lawmakers. This is a great way to
show a politician that the lobbyist really cares about them and
their welfare. t
The State Meal Plan for Underprivileged Politicians will color e
the judgment of any state representative toward the lobbyist's \
issues. Perhaps after this past year's scandals, our august legisla- s
tive branch decided to legalize their graft to avoid further a
controversy.
South Carolina is fast becoming a national joke for its corrupt r
politicians. All South Carolinians should be outraged at this latest
action by the House and should write their respective state lawmakers
to complain. The good news is that 53 members of the
House voted against the Meal Plan.
However, the measure did pass with a majority vote. Now that (
the State House has done this, they might as well go all the way (
and allow direct cash contributions to each legislator's personal (
self-improvement fund (with a limit of $10,000 per bribe, of i
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POWKlEP LI6HTB?-THAM-AIRCR^^
I
The Gamecock 1
1
News: 777-7726 Advertising: 777-4249 ^
Kathy Blackwell robyn Thompson f
Editor in Chief Managing Editor tl
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Lucy Soto Kathy Heberger ?
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Steve Johnson Renee Meyer v
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Aaron Sheinin Tige Watts ^
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Octavia Wright Patrick Villegas a
Assistant Carolina Life Editor Assistant Sports Editor Q
Chris Silvestri Julie bouchillon
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Eric Glenn Wayne Williams i
Darkroom Lab Technician Comics Editor p
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Ed Bonza Erik Collins ii
Director of Student Media Faculty Adviser I
Laura S. Day Ray Burgos c
Production Manager Assistant Production Manager t
Renee Gibson Kyle Berry i<
Advertising Manager Assistant Advertising Manager
a
Carolyn Griffin v
Business Manager js
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Letters Policy: The Gamecock will try to print all letters received. Letters should >
be, at maximum, 250 to 300 words long. The writer must include full name, pro- r
fessional title if a USC employee or South Carolina resident, or year and major if
a student. An address and phone number are required with all letters sent. The
Gamecock reserves the right to edit letters for style, possible libel or in case of P
space limitations. The newspaper will not withhold names under any U
circumstance.
?J &
USC students
We are experiencing a traumatic time in our
ration's history. The event of war in the Persian
julf is undoubtably one of the most memorable
ind alarming incidents in our lives. Whether we
ire students, faculty, staff or administrators, all
)f our lives have been touched by this war in
;ome way. *Please
remember that we are all affected by at
his conflict. Whether or not our involvement is in
lirect with friends, loved ones and colleagues cu
ctually serving in the Middle East, most
Americans are experiencing significant levels of
mpathy and concern. ^
Furthermore, many Americans fear being ad- F*
tersely affected by the effect of a sagging eco- 35
lomy which has resulted in the loss of employ- ne
nent opportunities for many in our country. ^
I want to take this opportunity to offer a re- he
ninder that no matter what our level of involve
neni, or wnat our opinion about tnis nation's co
nvolvement in this war, we all need to respect cu
ind support each other as members of the Car- ^
>lina Community. ^
Please remember that this highly sensitive
ime makes us prone to exaggerated and height- yc
ned emotions. We are all likely to be more an
'olatile, and thus, I encourage each of us to be Q
ensitive to the needs and frustrations of those
iround us. Now, more than before, we need to yo
Taxes shouldn'
Some advocates of tax increases have appaently
seen a golden opportunity in the Persian
3ulf War, as evidenced by Congressional talk
)f a "temporary" surtax on income. This
loesn't necessarily imply that surtax supporters
ire using the war to their own advantage.
Still, it is hard to shake the suspicion that
;ome of them are using legitimate political concerns
to nnsh more nf the had emnnmirs that
:haracterized this past year's budget agreement. c
It might seem odd to complain about some r
>eople being taxed while other people are being c
dlled. However, given the reluctance of Ger- c
nany, Japan and others to share more of the fi- \
lancial burden of war, it is an issue that must . v
>e confronted. g
The question is whether we should slap addi- 1<
ional tax shackles on a feeble, sputtering ecolomy,
or raise revenues by stimulating growth
>f the tax base (i.e. the Gross National c
Yoduct). *c
si
No credible economic theory supposes that n
igher taxes increase GNP. The revenue raised, i
f any, would surely be less than proponents ^
laim. If we therefore reject the case for higher ti
ixes, what could we propose to stimulate the qi
conomy and raise revenues? ji
Increase government spending: We've been Cl
loing that already. Can you recall the last time
t actually decreased? Why do you suppose we a
ave a deficit? Higher spending is now more a p
lallmark of our political culture than it is a ma- si
roeconomic strategy. fc
LETTERS TO TH1
^ sert, one way
Critics slanted ?f suPe ii
Losing Grou
by ideology
The article i
^o the editor: ers have con;
Yo! Your favorite here! Today's groups of An
luwiugitai uiuiA/uumuuii. on average an
Statistical interpretation yields in IQ tests tha
uel for much speculation about It goes on to
tie way the world is. Ideology in disagreemeni
tie form of bodies writing letters means."
D the editor, marching, protesting, Concerning
anguishing in prisons, voting, and says, "This I
;oing to wars makes the world blacks and wh
lappen. * out the tei
It is ideology that gave "the America's eg!
vhite man" (whatever the hell that and the unequ
s) his most serious mistake: the lents are distril
;uest for an origin. Rather hilar!- Murray is i
>usly, many blacks simply invert chitect of th
le prevalent ideology and declare Therein lies tl
kind of supremacy based on tation of his 1
rigin. nately, my en
How valid is this? How valid step which I a
re the Eqyptologists who say sertion. And t
leethoven was a Negro and it was sity of their id<
Africa that gave "birth" to the
Vest. Where did all of this incred- Englii
ble "civilization" disappear to?
listory is a very convenient speies
of fiction. And normative fic- /\03.rtJ
ions tend to enforce current ideo- r
Dgical practices. ti nnrj o
In my previous letter, the editor HvvUij
pparently neglected to include the
vord "North" in front of African. To the editor:
Jnrth African mltiirp io miir-h Hif- VnHnc IrnH
W1UI i L111VU1I WUAkUAV/ lj 1UUVU Ull iVUUUO, XV U VJ
erent from that of below, the Thursday, Jan.
Sub-Saharan" variety. Whether Sarafina (nan
forth African culture is "black" slain in the 1
whatever the hell that is) or not is children massa
n ideological issue that many peo- held in the
ile avoid, or worse, practice Columbia,
inknowingly. This stellar :
My quoting from an article on Mr. Mbongeni
durray and Hernstein did not as- sented by the
must unite <
Dennis Pruitt
Guest Columnist
tempt to use discretion and tolerance in jud
g others' actions and discussions that may o
ir as a result of the Persian Gulf Crisis.
The Carolina Community is a unique, carii
immunity in which we all trust and believ
tus, I hope we will all keep the promise
;ace foremost in our hearts and minds. I al:
k that should you or someone you know be
ed of any kind of assistance or support in d
ing with this difficult time, that you will set
lp, or see to it that the individual seeks help.
There are many services within the universii
mmunity which are available to students, f;
lty and staff including a variety of counselir
d support groups wherein fears and difficu
s can be confronted and abated.
If you live in a residence hall, please s<
iut RA or RHD, as they will be happy to ler
ear or to direct you to other resources here
irolina.
If you are a commuting student, please S(
ur academic adviser, ask a professor or ii
t rise becau!
Arthur C. Mayer
Financial Columnist
Lowering interest rates: Assisted by w
:redit demand, the Federal Reserve has aire;
nade some nrnaress in Inwerinw hr?rrn?/
t o-?w ... W f?w.d
osts. But with inflationary pressures and a f
lollar, further declines are unlikely. Moreoi
vhy would firms with weak balance she
vant to borrow more money when so f
growth opportunities exist? Who would wani
end them?
Other: This category includes cutting tax
orbing regulatory excesses and other unfa:
>nable initiatives of the Reagan era. Althou
jch policies have been shown to stimulate e<
omic growth and raise revenues (witness l
980s), Democrats, the media and other stati
ill sack any such proposals in the Administ
on's backfield. House Majority Leader Fol
(id others have vowed to invoke a virtual ch
had if Bush again tries for a capital gains I
ot.
So much for economic growth. Consider
moment the role of class warfare in econon
olicy. Tax increase advocates used it with c<
iderable success in 1990, but it can only go
it by itself. Class conflict is divisive by natu
E EDITOR
? ?
or another, any kind mittee of the Car<
:y." Murray's book Union and sponsore
nd (1984) simply ciation of Africanime
social programs dents at USC. Tho
than good. didn't attend it miss<
nentions, "Research- I really enjoyed i
jistently found that about this group of
lerican blacks score African young peop
out 15 points lower tunate that Sarafina
n groups of whites." showing. Neverth
sav "there is much dynamic!
t as to what that As an avid follow
tion in South Afric
his work, Murray glad to see so n
book is not about energy by these you
ites, it is mostly ah- live in a country tha
tisions between the performance thai
ilitarian philosophy I realize that we
al way in which ta- States are having to
)uted." own impending cor
considered the "ar- War in Saudi Arabia
e Reagan vision." peace and a quick re
le ideological orien- conflict However, 1<
work. Most unfortu- a country that itsel
itics have taken the the brink of war tht
ivoided: absolute as- lives of many more
here lies the neces- pie in that region,
jological shrillness. Many in the U.S.
Spiros Papleacos the troops in the M
sh graduate student those in South Aft
our continued si
- j j *11 struggle that will n
held Still a11 people are free o
# called apartheid.
notice
[OS, kudos, for the LOVCj 110
24 performance of YYlllcl"
led after a woman III 11 SI- ^J1 '
976 Soweto school
ere in South Africa) To the editor:
Koger Center in i cannot see how ;
find enough hatred
show was written by to want a war. I d<
Ngema. It was pre- troops; in fact, I W2
Cultural Arts Com- come home safely.
luring war
- structor with whom you feel comfortable to direct
you to a resource, or visit the Office of
Off-Campus Student Services in the Towers.
If you wish to seek help directly, simply look
in the campus telephone directory or call our
ASKUS line for assistance.
The overall health and welfare of Carolina
c" students is a primary concern at Carolina. The
Persian Gulf Crisis may have a traumatic effect
lg on each of us, but as supportive individuals and
,e community members we can help each other in
0f coping with situations which create fear, uncerso
tainty, anger, anxiety and sadness.
in *
e- Admitting a need is a sure sign of strength ?
?k not weakness One must aHmif * w f?or
?- ? w 1IWU Ul AViU
before he/she can begin to conquer it.
ty Our legacy as Carolinians challenges each of
a" us to be sensitive and to support each other in
this unique and difficult time. I know we can
and will support each other in word and in
deed, and that each of us will keep the individu;e
als stationed in the Middle East close in our
id thoughts,
at
I wish each of you, your families and all
se members of our community strength, and I wish
i- peace for all our nations.
se of gulf war
thwarting a national consensus.
The Gulf War, however, could unify the electorate
behind a new tax increase. With fourfifths
of the population supporting Desert
Storm, who would mind if we confiscated more
? money from "the rich" or from "greedy" oil
companies? Class warriors may feel they can
^ ride the coattails of taxpayers' patriotism.
Although advocates claim it would only be a
mS "temporary" surtax, a review of the growth of
rail government during this century fuels skeptic,eT'
ism. Past crises have always spawned "tempor;ets
ary" measures that somehow keep on going and
ew going.
110 For example, the World War II top income
tax rate of 90 percent endured until 1964, when
es, the Kennedy tax cuts were enacted. Our Con5h
gress can't be expected to willingly relinquish a
gh perceived revenue source in an era where new
:o- spending is political life-blood,
the The realities of war demand that we support
sts the Commander-in-Chief and give him the rera
sources necessary to prosecute Operation Desert
ley Storm. However, the economic realities ? a
iss strained budget and an economy in recession ?
ax demand a policy of revenue increases through
renewed economic growth.
for President Bush must act quickly on the
lie domestic front to kill the idea of a war tax, and
>n- get the economy moving again like his old boss
so Reagan did. It would be nice if we left our
ie, troops an economy to come back to.
? '" ^
1 I i i i H.i.i.i.1.1 I 1 Y.. 11I II! j 111I I11111 r I I i I I M M M 11,
Dlina Program emment has used propaganda to
a Dy tne asso- make the Iraqis seem like things
American stu- rather than people,
se of you that They are people and many of
sd a treat. them were drafted. Their troops
t. I am ecstatic Reserve to die anymore than
talented South ours (j0. How can anyone feel like
ile. It is unfor- war ^ a solution? It's nothing but
! had only one another problem,
eless, it was Supporting peace is not flag
burning and spitting on troops; it's
er of the situa- wanting our troops to come home
a, I was very their bags rather than in them,
luch joy and j remember something that was
ng people who sa]^ at a protest I attended,
t would outlaw
.they put on. Someone stood up and pointed
in the United out that if everyone (no matter
deal with our how old, rich, important or anyiflict:
the Gulf thing else they were) y/as eligible
i. And we want for the draft, there would be no
solution to the more wars. If George Bush feels
it us not forget the need to prove he's a man, then
f is almost on let him go out on the front line. I
it will cost the don't think he'd see things quite
innocent peo- the same way.
are supporting People must choose to save
iddle East, but what we have. War is never a
na aiiu nccu ouiuuuh.
ipport. In a "In the past it was possible to
ever end until destroy a village, a town, a region,
f the terrorism even a country. Now it is the
whole planet that has come under
Sheldon Rice threat. This fact should fully com;m
sophomore pel everyone to face a basic moral
consideration: from now on it's
t war, only through a conscious choice
' and then deliberate policy that hu0"y?|JJ
manity can survive" ? Pope John
Make that choice and do someany
person can thing about it. Love is the only
in themselves real solution.
Dn't blame the Hope C. Peebles
int them to all Electrical engineering
1 feel the gov- sophomore