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Show Page il THE HERALD, Frevo, Utah, Monday, February 1, 1982 Dinions 'tMnurymu t&fw The Herald, its readers, syndicated columnists and cartoonists discuss vital issues HuwvrM pjussua?- - li.il The Herald Comments Head Justice Offers Alternative Chief Justice Warren E. Burger may have signalled a future trend in proposing that more non-crimin- al lawsuits be taken to arbitration because of an overload of state and federal court cases. the 'Addressing American Bar Association in Chicago. Burger said that from 1940 to 1981, the number of cases filed annually in federal district courts jumped from 35.000 to 180,000. 1 Despite periodical increases in judgeships under omnibus legislation, Burger said it is clear that "the federal and state court systems are m Mr. Harrison is aware that for 50 have turned years, as a nation,-wout backs on "free enterprise" and gradually embraced socialism. Through bureaucrats, social planners and Keynsian economists passing regulation upon regulation, high .taxes, and deficit spending, we have changed the system. Not many years ago the U.S. produced more than half of all manufactured goods in the world, including 50 percent of the steel, and most of the autos. We had the highest per capita income in the wo-l- d. Today we produce 13 percent of the steel our auto production is in shambles, and I understand last year we were ninth in per capita income. The segment of our economy nearest to free enterprise we have is farming, and we still produce more food than we need. U.S. agriculture products are the largest exports we have. Of the $1 trillion debt you men- tioned about has been spent on foreign aid, mainly to keep socialist and communist countries afloat, including Russia Poland. Nicaragua etc. Example under the Czar, the Ukraine was called the "bread basket" of Europe. Since the communists took over, it can't even feed Russia. They have had crop failures every year for more than 60 years always due to the weather. The U.S. sells them millions of tons of grain on "credit," money guaranteed to the grain cartel by American taxpayers. This is part of the national debt you decry. If we hadn't given so much of our one-hal- f to communists we would not have to spend $200 billion (your figure) to get prepared to defend ourselves against them. Bureaucrats think they can spend our money better than we can, as of it for they take almost one-hataxes and spend it as they feel fit. mostly where it will give them the most power. They tell us "society" is responsible for the weakness of mankind, that man is not responsible for his actions, that if man is not willing to work for it, he is entitled to the good life anyway. No wonder our moral fabric is in decay. These social Planners have fought for abortion on demand affirmative lf action programs, homosexual rights sex education for our children etc., and you want to blame free enterprise for all our problems. You mentioned in your letter about the postal service, but you didn't seem to understand the postal system is still a government monopoly. The Congress created a corporation to take the heat off the Congress for high rates and poor service, trying to blame someone else but it is still a government monopoly. Many segments of our economy are monopoly, operated by cartels and international bankers. "American Opinion" magazine in its scoreboard issue claims the U.S. is 60 percent to 70 percent down the road to socialism. If this is true, and I believe it is close, then you are blaming all our ills on the 30 percent to 40 percent that is still free enterprise. Surely you can't be serious. D. Lynn Crook 438 S. Center St. Santaquin Freedom Didn't Cause Woes Editor, Herald; How can anyone conclude that the problems of our socialized postal system are the result of failures in free enterprise or capitalism, or that the social programs of the past few decades which produced our state with its huge bureaucracy, larger entitlements and astronomical debt were anything but a drift to socialism or communism? How can anyone be so naive, as G.T. Harrison to blame free welfare enterprise and capitalism when their enemies have been the very ones sniping away at us for so long? Unless the trend is reversed we'll soon have complete socialism-communisor some other total dictatorship where there will be no enterprise but by the state and no freedom anywhere. Can any rational person want that? Edmond P. Hyatt 1615 Carterville Rd. Orem Road Endangers Children Editor, Herald: A stretch of road American 900 East 1100 East poses an extreme safety hazard for our school children. Many Barrett Elementary School students walk along 300 North to Fork and '. in 300 North between school and, with the building of the new American Fork Hospital in the area the automobile traffic flow has greatly increased along this road. School children either must waik along the narrow shoulder of the road in the mud and slush, .getting splashed on by passing cars, or they must walk along the edge of the road and force motorists to stop and go around them. I am aware that the road in question is still a county road, but if the city can annex the area for the new hospital into the city, they certainly should be responsible for the road leading to the hospital. Something must be done to make this road safe for our children before there is an accident, and it is too late. I would appreciate vour printing this letter in The Daily Herald. Thank you. Dixie Lvman 475 N. 1200 E. American Fork Will BYU Sell Timp Lodge? Editor. Herald: Hello, out there, all you who have so enjoyed your stay at the Tim-p- a nogos Lodge in Provo Canyon; are you aware that Brigham Young University is contemplating selling it to Robert Redford? It has been said that there is no opposition to this sale. them." The chief justice made it clear he wasn't suggesting arbitration as a replacement for the courts. People cannot be denied "due process." His idea is expansion of arbitration as an alternative to complement the judicial system. He believes that with a predicted new upsurge in civil cases, quicker results often can be achieved when individuals or companies agree to arbitration in- stead of traditional court suits. Already arbitration is employed successfully to some extent, notably in labor cases and in the commercial field where the American Arbitration Association supplies competent arbitrators. It seems logical the technique also could be applied with good results in such cases as child custody, adoptions, landlord tenant disputes, and distribution property of either with an individual arbitrator or a panel. In the latter in- each contending would party appoint a member and a third would be named jointly. Burger said that to be effective; arbitration should be final and binding," with no provision . for further stance, review or sanctions against those who prolong the dis- pute." Since the Chief Justice heads the federal court system, it would seem appropriate that he set machinery in motion to refine the expanded arbitration idea and recommend specifics. What we don't need arc overlays on the court system or another bureaucracy ... and obviously that isn't what Burger had in mind. His idea seems timely. Both, . public and courts doubtedly will be un- watching for further development of the plan. m Lobby Against Tax Liquormen - Socialism Culprit Creeping Editor treasure Herald: burdens placed upon Jeff Mapes WooHhach I think I should answer G.T. Harrison. He blames all our problems on "Free Enterprise." I am sure in- - capable of handling all the It you do oppose it and sun want the use of the lodge, it may be well for you to let the president of BYU know. If all of us make our feelings known, we may still be able to enjoy this facility longer. Please call or write him. Loraine Watkins 1141 E. 600 S. Alpine Utah 84003 WASHINGTON "Mr. President have pity on the working man" is the name of a popular song by Randy Newman. It has also become the chant of wine beer and liquor producers who are trying to convince President Reagan not to increase federal taxes on alcoholic beverages. Running scared because of talk the Reagan Administration wants to double excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco and gasoline, lobbyists believe their strongest argument is the fact that such taxes hit the common guy the hardest. "We want to show them it is not going to be politically painless to impose an excise tax on wine and other alcoholic beverages," said Arthur Silverman Washington representative of the Wine Institute the lobbying arm of California winemakers. The industry with the aid of such influential congressmen as Rep. Jack Kemp is promoting the idea that the Reagan administration can't afford to raise taxes on the working man and woman to reduce huge budget deficits caused in part by large income tax cuts ior coiporaiions arm the wealthy. Although stressing the impact on the average citizen, alcohol producers are worried that increased excise taxes will slow their growth in sales. Doug Metz, general counsel of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America said that when Great Britain increased excise taxes on alcohol in 1978, sales actually dropped to the point that the government wound up with less revenue. "The immediate effect of a thing like this on an industry like ours is just devastating," Metz argued. Since excise taxes are collected at the production level, an increase in the tax is magnified by the time the consumer purchases an alcoholic beverage Metz said. The biggest "sticker shock" would come in the purchase of hard liquor. A $6 bottle of whiskey would go up to $9 if the excise tax is doubled, Metz said. By comparison, he added a $3 bottle of table wine probably would k only go up by 12 to 15 cents. A of beer could go up by about 32 cents. The political impact of the insix-pac- dustry's lobbying has already become apparent. At his Jan. 19 press conference, Reagan was asked if his tax plan would hurt "the little guy." "Well, I don't think we're going Reagan said adding that speculation on such tax increases is based on "things that have been to...," talked about widely so far. in the media, and they have not heard from us what it is we're talking about or what we're planning." However, United Press International reported that the president has asked the Treasury Department to analyze some possible increases in excise taxes. And the latest issue of Newsweek says the administraton the ion may exempt beer theory it is the preferred beverage of the working man from any tax increase. That news sent Silverman of the Wine Institute into high gear marshalling his arguments that wine is also a drink for the masses. "Everybody thinks about these boutique wiheries and how Ronald Reagaand his friends drink expensive wine ... but a lot of lower income people use the product too." Silverman said. . Lee Roderick - People Still Care About Others Some years ago WASHINGTON in downtown Washington I was late for an appointment. The light was barely turning from red to green when' I Hurried into the street. At that instant a woman behind me screamed and I froze. A car had sped through the caution light and now shot past, not more than 12 inches from my abdomen. I yelled a perfunctory "thank you" to the woman and ran to keep my appointment. Only after sitting down and seeing my hands trembling 10 minutes later did I stop long late-mod- enough to realize that that anonymous woman had instantly become one of the most important people in my life. Somehow I thought of that woman as I stood today looking from our office building on 14th Street to the bridge of the same name, barely a mile away which was the scene of unspeakable horror the other day. At this moment divers still are going into the Potomac's icy waters to bring up bodies from the Air Florida jetliner that lies there. The lessons of air safety, weather-proofin- g and rescue coordination that will arise from the crash of Air Florida Flight 0 have yet to be clearly defined. But another lesson perhaps ul- timately the most important already has been recorded in the hearts of millions of Americans who watched the televised rescue attempts. The lesson is simply that people still care about people, even to the point of risking their lives for total strangers. I for one will be ever grateful to Lenny Skutnik for what he taught my children as they and I sat transfixed in front of the TV cheering on the rescuers. Skutnik. 28 is one of those federal bureaucrats we journalists enjoy maligning in our stories. Yet. on Wednesday afternoon of Jan. 13. Skutnik became an instant hero in everyone's book. He wasn't even part of the official rescue team, just a guy whose car was stopped in the backup cf bridge traffic when Flight 90 went down. But as Priscilla Tirado floundered too weak to grab a helicopter line and about to sink to an icy grave. Skutnik risked his own life by diving into the water and hauling her to safety. When questioned .later by reporters Skutnik didn't offer any fancy explanation. "Nobody else was doing anything " he said. "It was the only way." Five passengers survived the crash. Officials say they owe their lives to an unidentified sixth passenger, a man apparently in his mid-50- s who gave his life for them. A paramedic explained that the sixth man was "clinging to the wreckage" with the others and was the first to grab the flotation devices dropped from the helicopter. Instead of using the devices he passed them to his fellow passengers. Then he repeatedly passed a helicopter rope to the others, who were taken safely to land. We went back for the sixth man.'' explained the paramedic. "He was not there. He had gone under." How many of us would have reacted as did Lenny Skutnik or the sixth man? It is probably hard for most of us to think of ourselves as certainly it is potential heroes hard for me. Yet I believe that in a crisis many of true you reading this column would show - remarkable bravery. Another obvious lesson from the 90 is how capricious the hand of death seems to be. Why should those five survive and the other 74 passengers die? No mortal can answer such questions. tragedy of Flight Those of us blessed to be alive as others die can only be grateful for the time we are given. And we can use that time in a way suggested in the family Bible of the late U.N. Secretary General, Dag Hammarskjold. Written in the Bible was advice to this effect: When you were born everyone around you was happy and you cried. Make your life such" that when your end is near, those around you will mourn and you alone will be without a tear to shed. Then you shall face death calmly whenever it comes. Washington Window Will President's Federalism Work? Bv HELEN THOMAS UPI White House Reporter When WASHINGTON (UPI) the Reagan administration began - and budget director David Stockman was riding high, he declared that the federal government "owes the people no services." In terms of Uncle Sam's role, that appears to fit in with President Reagan's political philosophy. Since 1966. President Reagan has war against a been waging strong central government, and Washington. One aide said that since he first began seeking elective office. Reagan "has repeatedly discussed his dream of returning revenue resources and program responsibilities back tu Uie and local governments." If Reagan was applauded for anything in his State of the Union address it was his consistency of his beliefs. He has often stated his hope of dismantling the social programs that date back to the New Deal. Furthermore, he believes he was elected to do that. all-o- He has proposed shifting the burden of 40 programs including food stamps, the basic welfare program, education, transportation and community development to the local level In the process, he would turn back to the states revenues from excise taxes and a share of windfall profits on oil for a certain period of time. The programs would begin in 1984 when his term ends, and would last only until 1991. Then the states and local governments would have to shift for themselves and to work out their own resources. revenue raising Close to the end of the decade, would have Washington focused mostly on national security and all its ramifications. But also under his plan the federal government would retain, for the time being, control of programs for the elderly, taking over all Medicaid costs and administration of Social Reagan Security. Reagan says there would be "no winners or losers among the states" in terms of finances. His rationale for the massive shift of responto local governments is that they would be better run and the people would maintain closer control. Much of Reagan's thinking has to do with the freedom of the individual and free enterprise, and he sibility believes such programs only In hamstring that freedom. to lift the Washington he has moved regulations and restraints that he believes have hampered business. At a briefing where the ground rules were that the speakers could not be identified, an administration official was asked: "Why should any governor or mayor endorse" taking over the entire Aide to Families with Dependent Children program. "From what I understand, it continues financing in one form or another until !y88 and then you pull the plug." His reply was that there was "plenty of cushion" and the people could decide what they wanted to support when the financing is phased out in a decade or so. But there was some realization of why Washington wound up with the programs in the first place, dating back to the Great Depression anil the need for a national effort to hen? the jobless. "Let me just say that ... one of the reasons some of these programs were taken over by the federal government was the concern that certain states were not addressing welfare needs. And one of the things that has been accepted by all of those to whom we've talked is, while still giving tremendous flexibility and opportunity for the states to revise (the welfare and food stamp programs) there is ample opportunity for both improvements and also protection for the truly needy." "I think we ought to recognize political reality ... The poorest state could opt out of a program," saying it would be up to the state legislature and governor to make the decision. But he added, "I don't believe that you are going to see the states pull out of vocational educa tion. |