The Signpost Wednesday, January 29, 1992 Vice President Smith stranded in Russia; returns home safely ANNA GATRELL Staff Writer of The Signpost When Vice President Smith left for Europe last October, little did he know that he would end up stranded in Russia. Robert Smith, vice president of Academic Affairs at Weber State, also chairs the Regional Accreditation Commission through the northwestern United States. Last October, Smith had work to do for the commission in Germany and Healthcare access issue a priority for democratic candidate Anderson BY TINA TRITSCH Asst. news editor of The Signpost United States Senate Democratic candidate Doug Anderson, guest speaker at Weber State University, addressed healthcare and four other key issues he feels need to be tackled in the coming election. Anderson said he feels it should be a policy of government that everyone has access to healthcare. "For the past twenty years Congress has had a deaf ear. Two and a half times our total defense budget goes to healthcare. Yet there are 30 million Americans without healthcare," Anderson said. Controlling medical malpractice costs, restructuring Medicare and Medicaid, and the restructuring of delivery systems, such as HMOs, were several of the ways to reduce the costs of healthcare. "Utah is the last pocket of low cost labor. We need higher wages in this state. Productivity is the answer. We need to invest in human capital," the Senate candidate said as he discussed employment, his second issue. Anderson said the "middle class squeeze" is a problem he plans to challenge. Anderson talked of a new structure to tax breaks. He said the tax burden on the middle class is on the rise, espe We have Wedding Sets so special they've been copyrighted. Come in and see what a difference fine design makes. Imaginative styles . . . for those who want more than you can see at any store In the mall. 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Anderson said he wants to invest in the future by improving education. Anderson said the best way to decrease the $4 trillion federal deficit is to build our way out. "Can we cut our way out? Can we tax our way out? We can't. We have to build our way out. We must be willing to make an investment," the Senate candidate said. After explaining the five key issues Anderson felt strongly about, he addressed two issues he opposes. The two issues were abortion and gambling. Anderson said he does not feel abortion will be an issue in the coming election unless a pro-choice candidate emerges. He said he agrees with current Utah law. "I believe we have to protect life. It is most important to protect the most vulnerable form of life." "1 am opposed to gambling simply because my mom taught me it is wrong," Anderson said. When asked how he felt about Utah being considered the last Aryan frontier, Anderson said he believes passionately, strongly about civil rights. " I value diversity. We should Eewelry - South Ogden - 627-0440 Frl. 10-8. Sat 10-5 visiting and getting acquainted with one another." After his six day stay in Lithuania, it was time for Smith to head home. "I was supposed to get picked up early the next morning and catch the first plane to Moscow," Smith said. But his flight was delayed because of fog. Finally, in the late afternoon, a plane was released to Moscow. With no phones working at the airport, Smith had no way of letting anyone know where he was. "I thought with the time change, by not be in the mode to think, act, and look alike. We should celebrate diversity. If two people believe the same way, then only one is thinking. I like a lot of different ideas. That's the kind of society I want to create, to develop," he said. When asked about David Duke, Anderson said Duke will get what he deserves. "The American people should not stand for Duke's racist attitude. We cannot dismiss him and not consider him a threat," he said. Lastly, Anderson said his generation has given up on government. He said people need to gain control of Washington. "Government, political leaders have failed us. I can't do that. We have an obligation to not give into cynicism. I worry a lot that the younger generation won't have an American dream," Anderson said. Anderson currently resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and four children. He went to Utah State University and received his Ph.D. from Harvard. He is actively involved in the Democratic Center for Executive Development. Attorney Olympic Wheelchair Athlete Best Overall Wheelchair Athlete in the World. the time I got to Moscow it would be several hours until my plane would have arrived here. When I didn't show up here, I hoped people would know something was wrong," Smith said. He had missed all the connections west, so he decided to stay the night in a hotel room provided by the Soviet airline and call first thing the next morning. "It turned out that Pan Am called our travel agent here as soon as I didn't show up for my flight in Moscow. So, for 18 hours, every PHONE (continued from page 1) the veto was partially psychological. He said he wanted everyone to stop and notice what was happening. "It was the best possible solution," he said. A major concern was that the bill did not address how funding for the emergency phones would be obtained, Stewart explained. Monday, Student Senators ; DEBATE (continued from page 1) titions this season are as follows: Millsap and Shu received six team awards. Wayne Rasmussen and Russ Rampton have received four team Qot a hot news tip? Cattthe news deskat their new number: 626-7507 A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE January 30, 1992 Dong Heir Austad Auditorium Thursday 10:30 one was wondering where I was." The next day was spent going from airline office to airline office, trying to find a seat on the next available flight home. "The agent was really nice and gave me a business class seat for tourist fare, so I got home. But it was still athree-and-a-half hour flight home as a result of the layover in Moscow and the delay in the Villanez airport." Smith went on to say, "1 would love to go back to Lithuania, but I think we need to bring some of their people here." unanimously approved the am-mended bill. A presentation will be given to the President's Council notifying them of the current emergency phone system and changes that are needed, according to the ammended bill. s in addition, Arnett will be responsible for working with Buildings and Grounds, WSU Police and President's Council plan to update or overhaul the existing emergency phones. A request will also be made to President's Coun- awards. Rampton has also won four individual awards. Lillian Recksiek and Dawen Daley have won three team awards this season. Recksiek also has received four individual awards. Ginger Mikkelsen and Jeff Stevenson have also received two individual awards.