Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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\ Perot Former presidential candidate criticizes, hints at new campaign Presidential hopeful H. Ross Perot once again garnered airtime for his views and took the opportunity to criticize the economic strategies of candidates Bush and Clinton on Tuesday's "Good Morning America." In the interview, Perot said both the Bush and Clinton plans were soft and said "the American people can smell shams and finesses." ~..?? .u? i; J - _ i ciui, even in cuuci/-.ing me uuiei canuiuaies, nas a serious creoibility problem. But all this week Perot has hinted also at an eleventh-hour return to the campaign. This is coming from a man who teased the public during the months of the primary season, asked volunteers to put his name on the ballot even before he announced his candidacy in June, and left millions hanging at the announcement he would leave the campaign in August. At best, Perot is an amateur in the political arena. If you considered the election campaign a boxing match with the primaries as training and election day as the final round of the fight, it is plain to see that Perot would have to throw in the towel sometime. Like the worst amateur boxer you could imagine, Perot has the rhetoric of a Muhammud Ali and the punch of a Mickey Rourke. He missed the training of the primaries and then he wants to step in the ring. He waits in the corner until the third round, jumps into the fray, takes a couple of light jabs to the ego, and scurries out sometime in the 5th. Now he wants to get his licks in the last round. Perot doesn't deserve to be the referee ? or even one of the girls who announce the rounds. Even these people stay for the whole fight. Everyone in this country has some knee-jerk reaction making them think they can run the country, but not everyone is a billionaire, and not everyone has $100 million to spend on a presidential campaign. Many criticize candidates because thev are Dowerless to do anv ? * A J thing else. Perot had the means to change politics in America forever and bring into power a group of people who felt they were denied representation. He could have been the leader of a new political movement, but he chose to squander the opportunity and turn his back on the American people. America has no more use for turncoats. WHO ? US? "XSaltcock Editor in Chief Greg Rickabaugh Managing Editor Patrick Villegas Copy Desk Chief Jay King News Editors Chaa Bray i a * j. i. wagenneim Viewpoints Editor Jack Dunn Features Editor Lee Clontz Sports Editors Nancy Salomonsky Tim Thorsen Photo Editor Stephanie Newlin Graphic Editor Ryan Sims Cartoonist Paul Jon Asst. News Editor Melissa Tennen Asst. Features Editor Jennifer Fuller Asst. Sports Editor Rob Rodusky Asst. Photo Editor Lea Clayton Asst. Graphics Editors Kristin Buehlman r* uregory rerez Asst. Copy Desk Editor I\im Everitt Student Media Coordinator Jim McKellar Production Manager Laura Day Asst. Production Manager Jim Green ( Faculty Advisor Erik Collins ( Advertising Manager Renee Gibson ( Graduate Asst Brian McGuire , The Gamecock will try to print all letters received. \ Letters should be 200-250 words. Full name and professional title, or year and major if a student, must be included along with address and phone number. ( The Gamecock reserves the right to edit letters for style, possible libel or space limitations. The ? Gamecock will not withold names under any circumstances. m fiewpc PRESW? ////// I UA^KliT C rurwn i i LIKE H1M51 \ ^ "agent of change" is subtly misleading. The candidates would like us to believe they are working in our best interests, but are they? To be an "agent," you have to be hired by someone. The question is, who's doing the hiring? Looking through the list of campaign contributions, almost every special interest group has a stake in the outcome of this election. NOW, NRA, Exxon, AFL-CIO, UAW. After a while, these political action committees begin to look like a bowl of alphabet soup. While campaigning Monday in the Pacific Northwest ? home of the timber industry ? President Bush said the nation's environmental laws were too stringent on industry. Earlier this year, Mr. Bush reversed his decision to protect thousands of acres of land that are home to the spotted owl in favor of the timber industry. In my heart, I believe the lobbyists representing the timber industry threatened to stop the flow of lucrative financial contributions President refle At the midpoint of our term in office, it is appropriate that I reflect a little on what has been accomplished since our term began last spring, and also how much there is still to be done in response to student desires and needs at the University of South Carolina. It has been a busy time for student government over the past six months as we have addressed many concerns which students have brought to us ? from parking to safety to funding for higher education. While we may not achieve the results we would like to see, I believe we have been successful in bringing stui Iont pnnr?ome t/-\ tKn a/1 * ?-v iotroU/-a*-v ar\/l ?? uvm w/iivcino iu uiv^ auniiiuou cuiwn clilU in gclilling decisions which are advantageous to all of us. Regarding higher education funding, we formed a coalition of student body presidents from state-supported institutions, and through rvnr 1 oo/loro Kin n/o nmra oKln * /a ?v? ^lll/~??r, UU1 1VUUV1 omp ww v>ut auiw i\j MVt liiiuiVJlhN Ui dollars in tuition expenses by convincing the General Assembly to reduce our funding by 3 percent rather than the proposed 7 percent of the formula. Yet, we will not rest. In January, we will take our crusade to the hallowed halls tcross the street and do what we can for higher education and the citizens of the state. Regarding safety, we have called upon the Ttayor and the city of Columbia to place pedesmm?-. ^/Z7r~r~~. Is the end near' The world is supposed to end October 28. In case you haven't heard, Jesus Christ is supposed to pop up on our mere-mortal planet in about a month. No more Halloween this year. Goodbye, Christmas presents. So long, spring break. Adios, graduation. No more life, the universe and everything. The pious shall be saved and the sinners will go bye-bye, right? Says who, you ask? Well, there's a van tooling around Columbia now, proclaiming the Rapture is on its way. This little red and black mini-wagun u iv.?vc pacivs quite an oibcuai ui religious literature, bullhorns, and posters, spewing salvation like some A-Team/700 Club spinoff gone horribly awry. Little people wearing "Rapture '92" t-shirts, holding signs and waving banners are shooting up out of the woodwork. They are everywhere, occupying USC parking lots or yelling at me about sin from the steps of the Capitol buildChange means At the heart of the 1992 presidential campaign is the word "change." Do our beloved candidates mean a change of administrations or a change in our governing policies? Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bush are campaigning to be "the agent of change." But that title )ints ent bush seen feeling \ / l Elf LATE LW. ? iRapture proponents COLUMNIST ing. Don't get me wrong, here. I don't poke fun at J.C. Then again, I wouldn't say I'm overtly religious, but I know there's a point where we as humans can't explain everything. We have to plop our faith somewhere. What I'd like to know is how these folks seem to be in on God's big arrival. How the heck did they get their hands on this press release? These people seem to be promoting this Rapture thing like Christ is running for president or something. Sad to say, but it looks like Bill Clinton has more clout in this town than J.C. when it comes to soapboxing issues. removal of spt I l COLUMNIST into Republican coffers. By using the guise of "jobs, jobs, jobs" the PACs have been able to manipulate our highest elected official. It all comes down to saving one job: Mr. Bush's. Governor Clinton is not exempt from PACs either. All during the primaries, Mr. Clinton courted labor unions for their vote and their money. In the end, Clinton won the support of the largest labor unions, the AFL-CIO, the United Auto Workers, and the National Education Association. Not only do they guarantee the labor vote, they guarantee the contribution of corporations like Ford, Chrysler, and GM. During the primary season, Paul Tsongas said "money is the mother's milk of politics." For too long, politicians have sucked on the taxpayer's nipple, and now a way must be found to wean them off PAC money. Elections have become well-orchestrated shows comprised of soundbites, issue papers, and slick commercials. But how do candidates cts on S.G. acc GUEST COLUMNIST trian crossing signs and flashing walk/don't walk signs at various points around campus. Also, we are revising the lightways map and preparing a proposal for more call boxes on our campus. Furthermore, we intend to support an expanded RPO (Reserve Police Officer) program because the recent attacks on campus will not and cannot be tolerated. Finally, we have assisted with the development of a groundbreaking policy on sexual assault which will be responsive to the needs of victims as well as those of perpetrators who commit these crimes. Regarding student funding and services, we * .J 1 1-1 n?vt |/iwviucu a Muuciu uiicuuiu uoiu anu DOOK at no expense to any of us. In fact, we have added to the benefits of our activity fee by providing this service. Also, we have made great strides with area businesses and are preparing agreements to bring in more revenue for the stu- 1 dent activity fee account through advertisements. Also, we have assisted with the develop- : ment of a new medical insurance policy, and we ; are developing a heasurer's workshop video to . ^, v"*7"" iV^ri 4\m\M\ y preach on campus I've noticed in this place that, for some people, religion is quite a serious matter. Being from out of town, it's quite a change from the everyday secular apathy of home. In fact, back in Oldsmar, Fla., one of the most peculiar "religious" debates was over whether it was acceptable to name a newborn "God", (i.e., God Smith. God Wilson. God Hildebrandt.) What would be so wrong with T? I-:j uiai : is u a sm iu name youi mu in nonor Oi the Maker? I've known enough Jesuses in my time (Pronounced hey-zoos), so why couldn't this work? And that person's child would later be known as "the son of God." What more could one ask for? As for the Rapture, I truly hope it happens. Peace, love and happiness for all the beautiful, God-fearing people. As for me, I'll probably be waving bye-bye. At least I won't have to worry about final exams. \. rat . ecial interests pay for all these items? Simple, PAC money. Real "change" will never occur as long as PACs have their "invested" interests. Something must be done to stop this legalized bribery. The loopholes in the laws must be closed to prevent the PACs from sinking legislation. It's a Catch-22. How can we get the Congress to eliminate PACs when they are so dependent on them? In this upcoming election, we must clean house. We must rid the House and Senate of the "porkbellied politicians" by electing fresh faces who can nass this vital leg islation before the vultures sink their talons into them. Only by getting an "untouchable" breed of leaders can real change be achieved. What the "change" candidates are speaking about has little to do with our future. We have become desparate for change. By listening to these false prophets rant and rave about our failures, they seek to work us into a blinded frenzy so that we check the first box we see. We must rely upon the politicians, not the PACs. But fi rst wP miict (met r?nr nu/n instincts in choosing an "agent of change." The best "agent of change" is within our hearts. omplishments assist student organizations with their finances. Regarding issues surrounding campus minorities, we have combined the most representative minority affairs cabinet in the history of student government. This has enabled us to be more receptive to the concerns of all minorities, including over 1,100 international CtllHpnfC PlirthAlTnAI'P U/P ho*rn n n f Or! ,\ UVUUVI.W. X U1U1VIU1V/IW, " ^ "UVt (IJ'pv/ituvu ClilU confirmed the most representative judicial board in years. Regarding off-campus students, we are developing an events hotline to inform community students and involve them in campus events. A lcn nrm/ thnt U/A nro in nnr npill i *WV, nv/f? w?*v*v ?? v ujv. 111 v/ui uwf* UWUUltdMtW Conference Student Body Officers Conference, we have formed the Southeastern Conference Student Body Officers Coalition. We will be the host of the first-ever conference of this organization here in Columbia in the fall. Finally, we have created a permanent representative position for graduate students within the executive cabinet, and we have appointed more graduate students to university committees than ever before. Yet there is much to be done at Carolina. We are working on many issues which will affect and benefit everyone. -Tom Young, Jr. is Student Body President