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Show ' 'Before I built a wall I 'J ask to know What I was walling in or walling out." Robert Frost, American poet (1874-1963- ). 3DH0BMI Sunday, November 6, 1994 The Daily Herald Rhetoric may have killed entitlement reform plan The deceit and demagoguery that's passing for dialogue on the campaign trail this fall may have jettisoned a historic opportunity to curb America's appetite for entitlement spending. That's the blunt assessment of Sen. Robert Kerrey, the chairman of the Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement and Tax Reform. When the election dust settles on Wednesday, it's Kerrey who will have to survey the damage done by candidates who have proven they care more about polls than political bravery. In congressional races across the country, beleaguered Democratic candidates have finally rediscovered an old formula for success: Tell voters that the vaguely worded GOP "Contract With America" will lead to cuts in Social Security and other dra-coni- an entitlements. Republicans are responding to these attacks by pointing to a recent memo by .Budget Director Alice M. Rivlin stating that entitlement cuts are needed to balance the budget in the near fuboth ture. In their quest for Democrats and Republicans are ignoring the fact that Rivlin was right. Like the "no new taxes" promise that came back to haunt former President George Bush, these candidates have drawn a line in the sand on Social Security and other entitlements: No New Cuts. While that pledge is playing well on the campaign trail, Kerrey worries that it will undercut the work of the entitlement commission, which will release its final report on Dec. 15. "The memo didn't hurt, but the reaction to the Rivlin memo has," Kerrey told our associate Ed Henry. "People are now hardening their positions (on entitlements) and saying, 'Read my; lips!... Vote for me, I won't do anything unpopular!"1 In his first extensive comments about the memo that sent Shockwaves through the White House, Kerrey became one of the few Democrats to rally behind Rivlin. "I think (her memo) was a very honest presentation of truth," he said. "It's not unusual for us to run from the truth. ' ' Lost in the uproar over the memo is the; fact that it is sprinkled with references to 1996, and shows an early split among Clinton's advisers about the Rivlin bebest strategy for is paved lieves the road to with honesty and deficit reduction. The reaction to the memo shows that other advisers think empty promises are easier to sell. Now that the White House has run from nearly all of the "Big Choices" that Rivlin laid out, Clinton has lost the moral high ground to pursue that coilrse. While it's unclear which course is better for 1996, there is no Philadelphia Inquirer The conference in Casablanca that just brought together hundreds of Arab and Israeli businessmen and government officials was unprecedented. It li netproduced a frenzy of make "let's war" working, replacing with "let's make a deal." Arab-Israe- It concluded with a call for the establishment of a Middle East and North Africa development bank and a regional tourist board, and encouraged the creation of a regional chamber of com- merce. and opBut beyond the timistic pronouncements, it also highlighted the political and economic hurdles that remain before the Mideast can become a common market. deal-maki- First, Arab nations indicated that they won't really get down to business with Israel until their outstanding political issues are resolved. So they declined to completely end the direct Arab boycott of Israeli goods before a final peace is reached among Israel, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians. (The conference did endorse the ending of a secondary boycott.) Saudi AraThen, in an recountries oil bia and other Arab adminClinton fused to fully back the eye-open- istration's proposal for the Mideast development bank. These countries are hurting financially from low cil prices, mounting debts and bills from the Persian Gulf War. They don't want to be held responsible for capitalizing uttm "WE FORECAST IOCKS BLEAK k RG... IS KfclNCUMBENIS... CUNHi Jack Anderson Syndicated Columnist sraiaa doubt that a failure to reform entitlements is the worst course of all for future generations. "Unfortunately, people take positions (during a campaign) that they later regret, and then they're locked into a position of being afraid to reverse it," Kerrey said. "Once they take these positions they don't like to change them three months later. Maybe three years later or 30 years later, but not in three months," when the 104th Congress convenes. But no amount of campaign promises can change the crux of the entitlement dilemma: If nothing is done to reform the system, entitlements will of the account for nearly federal budget by 2004; entitlements and interest on the debt will consume all of the government's tax revenue in 2012. two-thir- CURRENT ELBCB0M ELECTIONS! SIMPSON MHTOSHSE?! 1 it l -- i csa THAU -- .11111 vkflSBwr r LQttCffS ds "The biggest problem is that this is not something that's really going to be serious for another 10 years," says Kerrey. "And the action that you will have to take then is going to be far worse than what you have to do today. Ten Today it's relatively pain-freshake will their from now people years heads and say, 'Why in God's name didn't you do that in 1995 when it was e. easy?'" Yet the facts have done little to dissuade even the most prudent lawmakers from abandoning reason in favor of fearmongering about Social Security. This was underscored last weekend, when Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, parachuted into a community hall in Scranton, Pa. , to stir up support for Sen. Harris Wofford, who's struggling to fend off a challenge from GOP upstart Rick Santorum. D-N.- "If we lose the Senate to the Santo-rum- s and (Oliver) Norths... we will lose the most important social program of the century!" Moynihan, who is a member of the entitlement commission, told an excited group of more than 100 senior citizens. "It will only be there if senators like Harris Wofford are there to save it. " After this election season, it looks like Moynihan and Wofford are doomed to get what they wished for. Summit highlighted political, economic hurdles in Mideast By The rrir the bank. It seems incredible that the Clinton team hadn't cleared the idea with the Saudis before pushing it at Casablanca. Even so, the oil countries' reaction is a timely warning that the funds once available to grease peace treaties are gone. The United States can no longer ofrewards Isfer the multibillion-dolla- r rael and Egypt have reaped for signing their peace treaty. Economically strapped Jordan was disappointed that its signing last week earned it no such bonus. And Syria is no doubt watching the Saudi and American pinch-penn- y attitude with interest, since its new commitment to peace is motivated heavily by a desire to find a place in the international economy. The United States was successful at mobilizing international donor funds for Palestinian development (although little of this money has so far reached Gaza because of Yasir Arafat's ineptitude). Now U.S. and European officials had better start thinking seriously about whether and how Mideast regional development funds can be mobilized through existing banks, and how businessmen can be encouraged to invest there. If big money isn't available, smaller projects and investments will be needed more than ever to get people employed and economies moving, and to keep those fanatically against peace from making inroads among the Arab poor. Police on power trip I'm writing because I want to question I am going to get right to police priorities. the point. My personal opinion is that policemen are on power trips I'm not saying all are. They seem to be worried about people doing drugs and people getting loud and having fun. They should be worried about a lot more serious crimes, such 'as people killing people, people raping people, and also people kidnapping innocent children. The thing I think everyone needs to realize is that people are doing drugs, but they are doing it to themselves; they know the consequences of different drugs. They also know they can hurt themselves or ruin their lives because of these drugs. But people are not choosing to get killed by another person or to be raped or kidnapped. So, why is it that when someone commits murder, they get a few months in jail, they plead insanity, and they are out shortly after? That makes me sick! They, should be punished the same way they hurt someone else. However, when someone deals or does drugs, they are sentenced to prision. But they choose to do it, and the people that buy from them are also choosing to do it. Yes, drugs can kill, but people are doing drugs knowing it can harm mem. People aren't walking outside knowing they are going to be killed or kidnapped; that is my whole point. I just wish policemen would get their priorities straight. I never said drugs were good; I just said users are choosing to harm themselves. Michelle Haycock Independence High School Anti-hunt- er ignorant After reading Mr. Snow's letter, I must respond with "a few observations of my own. When I read Mr. Snow's letter, I read the ignorant rantings of a hypocrite. Since Mr. Snow did not speak against eating meat, then I assume that he enjoys a steak, prime rib, Sunday pot roast or even a Big Mac. If this is the case, then he is a hypocrite. Mr. Snow is not righteous, because he buys his meat in paper or plastic wrappers, ignoring the fact that someone else does the killing for him. The problem is that our society has insulated us from the realities of life. Anjmals are part of the food chain, and some animals are sacrificed for the survival of other animals, including man. If you do not understand the "food chain," watch the nature shows on public television. Guess what, nature is a lot more cruel than a hunter's bullet. Mr. Snow, and others like him, igno-rantjudge hunters as evil, while forgetting in order for them to eat their "Sunday that, ' ' an animal has to die. roast, pot At least hunters are willing to harvest the animals themselves, and acknowledge the animal's sacrifice. Mr. Snow, and others like him, should not pretend that they are righteous because they don't harvest their own food. If Mr. Snow would like a reason to hunt, here is one. Wild game is a "lean" meat that is free from the "hormones" and "antibiotics" that are injected into the meat we buy in the supermarket. If you are concerned about heart disease and cancer, then you should be eating wild game. Since Mr. Snow quotes the prophets, let's go to the scriptures, back to the beginning. At the time that the Lord sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, he gave them something to cover their nakedness. What was it? The answer is in Genesis 3:21. "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." I wonder where the Lord got the skins. Hunting is not for everyone. If you choose not to hunt, that is fine, but don't anti-hunti- ly pretend that you are righteous for that decision. The reality is that everyone must eat to survive. If you eat, then some plant or animal is sacrificed for your survival. I believe that it is a lot more honorable to understand the realities of life than it is to pretend that we are not a part of the food chain. James R.Johnson Orem Our students in peril Schpols should provide all students with a sound basic education. Unfortunately, 10 to 20 percent of the students are picked on or labeled, starting as early as kindergarten. Many of these students do not become morally strong, honorable or spiritual. School should be a place where students can feel safe. Negative attitudes by school officials make students feel insecure and worthless. As long as school boards allow, or encourage, schools to apply for state or federal grants, they are asking for government involvement. Some such government programs are: Education 2000, Strategic Planning and Centennial School. Grant money can only be used for what is stated in the grant. Many of the grants are for experimental programs that are pushed through the educational network. If school districts cannot use the grant money for what is really needed, then it is no good to them. Nebo District did pass a good Healthy Life Styles policy, but, is it being followed? Myself and another person volunteered to be on the Payson High School advisory committee where we discovered curriculum from the adult roles class that violated every part of the new policy. When this was brought to their attention, we were kicked off the committee, as have been many other people we know throughout the district. An idea that came from the education network is the Citizenship policy; also, all of this psychological testing and evaluations that ask personal questions about your family. Some of these psychological tests are some are handed out done by the schools by the PTA and some are surveys they say are being made by the gifted and talented classes. All of this, and much more, is part of Outcome Based Education that comes through the education network. We need to get back to the basics. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD. We need to elect new people who know what is going on. You do have a choice. Debbie Hendrickson Payson self-relia- Release cartoonist As one who has been involved with cartooning throughout my life, I feel I must comment on 7der Holman. First, my credentials are as follows: Started by drawing cartoons for the children's section of the Salt Lake Tribune; cartoonist for Provo High's student newspaper; cartoonist for the BYU Daily Universe (one of missiles backfired, the my were literally stopped, and the stupresses dent editor had to resign); extensive publishing experience, plus, as a professional illustrator for many years, I prepared cartoon briefings for the Army and the Air Force, and was a columnist for national Treasure magazine featuring cartoons for my own and other's articles. Degree in Commercial Art. Secondly, have enthusiastically I fol- lowed the careers of such locally-producluminaries as Steve Benson, Val Bagley, Mid Calvin Grondahl. Unfortunately, they have all occasionally crossed the line that ation point and having once received a rejection slip that suggested I take up plumbing. I must agree with other readers, respectfully offer some constructive criticism, and specifically say that the lad who is submitting. Elder Holman not only needs art lessons, he also needs to study the basic principles' of humor and not be so quick to publish his firft agonized ideas. Then, while the aspiring funnyman is paying his dues to learn the profession, the editor of the religion page needs to give Elder Holman an early release from his mission. BoydM. Jolley American Fork Defend abortion laws ; The Utah Citizens for Alternatives to Abortion call upon Gov. Michael Leavitt to: keep his promise to defend Utah's abortion; : laws. Abortion is violence. At the National; Prayer Breakfast in February 1994, Mother; Theresa said that abortion is wrong because j it teaches people to solve their problems' Utah through violence. How can the State of teach: we if in education excellence achieve young people to solve their problems; through abortion? Every year in Utah there are approxi-- ; mately 6,000 abortions. Most of those abpr-- ; tions are not emergency medical abortions most of them are birth control abortions.' How long can the State of Utah do nothing; to stop the slaughter of the innocents? Last week, we gave a presentation, on abortion at a local high school. A young! woman with cerebral palsy contributed td our discussion, expressing her opinion that, abortion kills. As we watched a video show-- ; ing the broken bodies of aborted babies,, the young woman cried out in uninhibited grief: "Oh no, oh no, God, no. " The State of Utah and the Governor of Utah need to do the same thing just say ! . NO to chattel abortion. L.Halleh Cynthia American 1;or 'Great.. .how are you?' DearRenee: ; - j j I enjoy your column each week, but espe-- j daily so this week. As a scared, seasick; young woman emigrating to the states, I was asked by an American lady, how I was. About to confide in her, she quickly shut meJ up by saying, "My dear, you must learn thai; 'How are you' in America is a greeting, not ' an inquiry." Humiliated, my answer to that question for the last 40 years has been "Great!,' regardless of my health. It seems to work; although I have heard muttered, "Lucky ; you." Muriel Thole Orem Students seek stamps ; Our class is collecting canceled postage stamps for math. We need one million ; stamps. Could you please put our letter in your: newspaper? We are asking people across America to help us. Please don't peel them off. Just tear or cut the corner of the enve-- j lope. j Thank you for your help. Mrs.Fagan's34Cas Cedar Ridge Elementary HOOS.Roseta Columbia, MO 6520 1 ed first-cla- humor from making separates light of sacred things. Hopefully, as professs sionals, they are all continually their skills and overcoming the temptation to get a laugh regardless of taste. With the above background as my observ fine-tuni- ng Letters policy Send letters to: Editor, The Daily Herald P.O. Box 717, Provo, UT 84603-0- 7 1Z Letters must be signed FAX and include the writer's full name, address and daytime telephone number. Preference is given to letters that are typed, doubly spdeed and less than 400 words in length. J |