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Show Daily Utah Chronicle. Friday, February 19, 1982 Jh Page Five DANNY (SWINTANA policy for economic recovery A second-bes- t Editor's note: The following column won third place in the "Chronicle" column-writincontest. g Dear Mr. President: I am replying to your letter soliciting supfor your "economic-recovery- " program port and your plan to accelerate the arms race. In your letter you state: We are. in the midst of the biggest political battle in our country in the last 40 years. I know the outcome will affect you directly. The battle I am talking about is between those who want to continue the welfare state built on high taxes, massive deficits and federal subsidies and those whoare forced to pay for it: you the taxpayer. I agree with you on the importance of this political battle. Without a doubt the outcome will have a profound affect on me, the great people of this nation and the millions of other inhabitants of this small fragile planet. I also agree that "our nation is in the worst economic crisis since the Depression." Presently, because of your "economic recovery" program approximately 10 million Americans are out of work and over 30 million live below the official government poverty level. However, I strongly disagree with you on the causes of our "economic crisis." You believe this "crisis" was brought about by spending the taxpayer's money on inflationary programs like school lunches, government Joans for college students, mass-trans- it and various other "social programs." Subsequently, funding for social programs was cut by 25 percent, with some programs being dropped outright. There is no question that some of these I programs were mismanaged, ineffective and. at times, outright abused. Obviously what we perceive to be soc;al problems cannot always be solved by throwing money at them. In any event our economic crisis has not been completely caused by throwing the taxpayer's money at the poor. There are other causes. To name a few: Tne monopolization of energy resourand their ces by the OPEC allies. It's interesting how the world almost ran out of oil in 1973. Now nine years and hundreds of billions of dollars later there is a glut of oil on the world market. of Europe and The came out The which United States, Japan. of World War II virtually unscathed and the only industrially intact great power, now has to compete economically with obsolete factories and equipment in a world market where the Europeans and the Japanese have come of age. If any one cause can be singled out, it would have to be the arms race. While the military-industricomplex has been busy men and money in Southeast squandering Asia, South America, the Middle East and various other bastions of freedom, the Europeans and the Japanese have invested their human and material resources on consumer goods. Subsequently, America makes the world's best fighter planes, nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, etc. On the other hand the Europeans and the Japanese make the world's best cars, stereos, televisions, cameras, ad infinitum. This horrendous waste of men and resources (over 1 00,000 men and over two trillion dollars since World War II) can be justified because we are protecting Amer al ica and the "free world'' from the great Russian Bear. In your letter you go on to state: As social spending has increased, our defense budget, in real dollars, has been cut year after year. Yet the Soviet Union, since 1970. has invested $300 billion more in its military forces than the United States. As a result. America's national defense is weaker than ever before in rela- tion to Soviet Union... am committed to rebuilding our defense system and the CIA to protect America's national security and restore the military balance which is essential to world peace. That is why I have asked for substantial increases in the defense budget over the next four years. George Carlin once observed: "Honesty is the best policy, dishonesty is the second-bes- t policy." You. Mr. President, rely heavily on Carlin's second-bes- t policy. The truth is, since the end of World War II, America has been, is presently, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, the foremost military power in human history. We, not the Soviets, maintain over 240 military bases in 34 countries around the planet. We, not the Soviets, have deployed close to one million men outside our borders to "protect American interests." We, not the Soviets, initiated the nuclear arms race by using atomic bombs on the Japanese even though they were surrendering! According to former Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, in a statement given before the House Appropriation Defense Subcommittee, Feb. 4, 1980: "By most relevant meesures, we remain the military equal or superior to the Soviet Union." Similar statements have been made by Gen. David Jones, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and others. Although we are No. 1 in military power, ratio- No. we are No. 20 in doctor-patie13 in infant mortality. No 9 in life expectancy, and, because of the enormous drain of human and material resources, we are fast losing what is left of our technological lead in consumer industries. The fact isthat military spending is disastrous to a nation's economy. Why, then, are you pursuing this reckless policy? The only logical answer that I can think of lies with a statement you made while you were a candidate: "There is no way the Soviet Union can win an arms race with the United States." don't mean to be skeptical, but with our having spent over two trillion dollars on the arms race thus far, and having threatened the Russians with nuclear annihilation on several occasions, it seems highly unlikely that the Soviets will roll over and play dead while we embark on the final stretch of the road to oblivion. Aside from the arms race, several people within your administration and in Washington are cause for concern. George Bush has publicly stated that nuclear war is winna-ble- ; several Air Force generals have made similar remarks. Even Utah's junior senator, Orrin Hatch, whom you have asked me to support, has told me personally: "Oh, there's no question we could win a nuclear war. All we have to do is spend more money." After Hatch made that statement, he caught himself. "But we are not planning to do that; we would never do that." Not that I would question the wisdom of our ever-wis- e government, but would we? - nt all-o- ut I Danny Quintana is a University law student. YOUR WEEKLY READER The following news items didn't happen this week, but they should have. ALEXANDRIA, Egypt The Rev. Billy Graham, while on a five-da- y evangelistic crusade here Tuesday, was converted to the Islamic faith by two missionaries from Mecca. Graham's crusade was immediatelycancelled, and he has reportedly made plans to fly to Mecca from here. When asked about his conversion, Graham said, "I've in a always been fond of Islam, and it seems giving crusade embrace to needed this area of the world was the impetus the faith. I'm glad made the change." Graham calmed his I I of advisors, who were worrying about the coursehad evangelism in the United States, by saying that he converted nearly all the Americans he was going to until his own conversion. "Now have those "people to convert again. And you'd be surprised how the Baptist and Islamic doctrines SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig Jr. arrived here today and formally took command of the front-lin- e troops. Reagan appointed of the Salvadorian front during a Haig commander-in-chie- f special ceremony Monday at the White House. Haig enjoyed his first glimpses of sunny San Salvador. "Where am going to be in charge?" he asked repeatedly. Reinforcement officers are expected next week. Among them will be Col. Dan Marriott (L'tah).Sgt. David Stockman (White House), and possibly Capt. Maureen Reagan (Calif). WASHINGTON Economic analysts here have issued a list of states and their unemployment rates. Heading the list of states with rampant unemployment are Alabama and Arkansas, with unemployment figures approaching 75 not percent. According to one economic adviser who to be named, there's just about nothing todointho estates besides watching TV and drinking beer. Prostitution is reported to be the only industry which has iooii a turn upward in recent months. Those states holding down the bottom of the list are North Dakota and Oklahoma, both boasting unemployment his state government had advertised jobs in just about every periodical in the United States, from Boy's Life to Penthouse, and no one has applied for the jobs. "North Dakota is just not one of the most attractive states in the Union," the official said. It is rumored that North Dakota and Oklahoma are with Alabama and conducting secret negotiations fill the jobs. Alabama and Arkansas to procure workers to Arkansas have both suggested relinquishing their states completely and migrating to the other states. This may be the first time in U.S. history that entire states have migrated to other states. WAUGILINI, Hawaii Scientists at the Acme Research Laboratory have developed a new aerosol substance. The material will serve a dual purpose, according to professor Luther Idunitt. The new product may be used to polish cars which have begun to rust, and will also remove warts, moles and other uncomely bodily features. "This is a major breakthrough for modern society and just generally ugly people," Idunitt said. "If you have a neighbor who's particularly ugly and he makes your eyes water every time you look at him, just zap him a little of our new chemical and clear up your eyes." The product is scheduled to go on sale in solidified and spray form next June under the name Removezit. First lady Nancy Reagan is reported to have purchased a case for purposes of experimenting on her husband. "After all these years of waking up to him every morning, I'm more than willing to give it a whirl." she said. Bill Raines I I figures of -- 50 percent. It seems that there just aren't in those enough people to handle all the available jobs who of North Dakota, states. The assistant attorney general that told sanitation a reporters also serves as city engineer, "Daily Utah Chronicle" it en independent student newspaper published daily during fall, winter and spring quarters, excluding test weeks and quarter breaks, by the Th University Publications Council. Editorials reflect the opinions of the editorial board, and not necessarily the opinions of the student body or the administration. Subscriptions. 20ayear. 6 an academic quarter. All subscriptions must be prepaid Forward all subscription correspondence, including change of address, to: Business Manager. Daily Utah Chronicle. 240 Union, University of Utah, Salt Lake City Utah 84112 Editorial Board: Steve Francis, Lincoln Hobbt. Patrick Klingaman, Joan O'Brien, Jean Arment Orme. Bill Raines Editor-in-Chi- .. Associate Editor Patrick Klingaman Lincoln Hnbbi . Managing Editor Business Manager Copy Editor News Editor Asst New Editor Editorial Editor Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Pholoyraphy Editor Asst Copy Editors Ast Spoif. sditor Senior Appoints eral and a faith healer about the merits of triple bypass surgery? Or perhaps between a scientologist and a psychoanalyst? What about a continental drift debate between a geologist and a member of the Flat Earth Society? Or, finally, how would you kids like to see Carl Sagan battle it out with Madame Zora. the astrologist, LETTERS I Bambi's still dead Editor: The deer shown on the front of the Feb. 1 7 Chronicle was nof'put to sleep." It was killed. Darby Mitchell TF, English Department A lot of silly garbage Editor: The "Chronicle" welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Letters must be typed and double-space- d on a e line. Letters of 200 words or less will be given 74-spac- last week's important and debate between evolution and creation "science", let me suggest some possible future landmark events. How about a debate between, say, the surgeon gen In about the secrets of the universe? Seems to me that uniformed people have always believed a lot of silly garbage, and to dignify such ignorance with a public debate is a waste of time. I mean, anyone with half a brain could see through a creationist's arguments without half trying. So in the future, let's stick to science on the University campus and leave the rehqious stuff to the churches. Laura Kelly the wake of thought-provokin- g Steve Francis Robert McOmber Raines Joan O'Brien Kim Osborn Jean Arment Orme Anne Arway Reporters Bill Joe Baird John Jelte Karen Juell Tim Hayes Tony Tsakakis John Ned Kim Osborn Brian Wilkinson Senior Photographers Photographers Logos Backshop Foreman priority. All letters must include signature, valid mailing address and telephone number. The "Chronicle" reserves the right to edit for libel, propriety and space. Typewriters are available for use in the "Chronicle" offices. Union 240. Diane Sewell Mike Prater Dave Allred Mark Saal Kirk Million Matt Adelman Mike Johnson Paul Bearce Ruth Webb Lee Stenquist Jean Nolte Karen Smith dacftnop Msaistams .Traci O'Very Nedine Dtai Ric Hsllock Ad Representetives Accountant Typesetters Karen Vendell Traci 0 Very Office Staff Ron Varele . Julia Jenkins Sheila Hamilton Scott Pitt Karin Stone Debbie Veughn Lisha Youngberg Beth Budd Sandra Garcia Judy Alenander Peg McEntee Sue Jennings Christie Metcalf Erika Olcase |
