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Show PACE 4 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY OCTOBER 6, 1986 LET'S WORK FOR A TAX HIKE NOW Education it's time is now beyond the financial realm of students, and somebody did something about The coming budget cuts and tuition hikes will ultimately make students pay. And they'll pay doubly; through a limit in the quality of education and through their personal finances when they can ill afford it. It's everyone's responsibility to improve the quality of life. People can't leave it up to scared elected officials to make decisions for them, or only the rich will get an education. What of the student who can't afford an education but who has always had an overwhelming desire to learn? If we get enough people in society who fail to reach their potential; society itself fails. If only rich elitists get an education, we're back in a feudal society. President Reagan feels it's the student's responsibility to provide his own education. We disagree. We do believe a student should do everything possible to support himself through college, but the lack ot fund', shouldn't limit his ability to reach his full potential. It is the responsibility ot us all to help educate the willing. Money for education is the issue. In no small measure, the lite ol our society is at stake. Those v ho have a belief in higher education have the responsibility to insist on a tax increase from taxpayers to help the potential leaders and achievers of tomoirow continue in college. Today's taxpayers have the same responsibility to educate the futuie as those befoie them. Today's tudents ask for no more. We don't need any moie budget cuts ,hat cut the student out of the opportunity to succeed. We must begin today to ensure the future. The Legislature meets in January to decide our destinies. We must take a stand now. Without more tax money, budget cuts and tuition hikes won't stop. We can't afford to give up, and we can't wait for others to make our decisions for us. It is up to society to educate its future and it's up to students to insist on this. Let's strenuously remind our elected representatives of the need for quality education, and lobby vigorously for a tax hike. We urge all students to take part in the fight by contacting Monica Moe in the Student Center at 7766. The mere sum of $10 a month or whatever minuscule amount the taxpayer might pay in a tax hike will not even come cloxe to what it will cost society if we continue to cut education. We can't afford to learn tliose costs, and neither can our future. mi i NEWS AND VIEWS OF SOUTHERN UTAH STATE VOLUME 81, NUMBER Editor l)ds Kr, liner Asoci.ite Editor Ann Hollmuer Copy Editor C.reg Prime Photo Editor Rith.ird Enjleman Sports Editor (,reg Miles COLLEGE 4 CEDAR CITY, UTAH 2 Entertainment Ed'tor Paige White Senior Staff Writer Kris Johnson Production Manager Gavin McNeil Advertising Representative Kellie Jensen Faculty Adviser Larry Baker Hit' Uunnh'rhird is published eat h Monday ot the academic vear bv and for the student lvd ot Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in anv manner with the College's The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbtrd department ot communication are (lit opinions oi the publication s individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views ,ind opinions ot the institution, lac ulty staff or student body in general The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion ot The Thundvrbtrd as a single entity Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number Only the name will be printed Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing pm ileges Letters must be submitted b noon Friday for inc fusion in the following wet k s dition ihuinkrhinl editon.il and The 9T8-4- , IT VON r TU -- R- ONE Am- - F EEi--o- ne leg- ThWJlC YoU iriCK V rv i Is it F V.jt "v i T I a drug plague or just media hype? 'Access' is a recurring column through which members ol the campus community may address themsehes to topics of concern andor interest. GAVIN McNEIL is a junior art major who is 'The Thunderbird's' production manager. Is there a plague of drugs sweeping the nation, or has the news media panicked the nation over a problem that has been in existence for 20 years or more? Many critics are saying that the mass media has blown the drug problem out of perspective by dramatizing the junkie's plight. It is becoming increasingly difficult to pick up a magazine or newspaper without reading a drug related article. These publications are filled with uc h tales as Drugs in America," "Drugs at Work," "Drugs in School," "Drugs in Athletes, in Movies Stars, at Home, in Dad, in Mom, and It's Scaring the Kids." It seems that the only one who has not been overcome by this epidemic is the family dog. But, let's wait and see. -- Mmismmj THE STUDENT CASHIE- it. Cedar City UT Ivertising ottices in SUSC Library 103 Mail at SUSC Box 7758 801) Each dav at 5 o'clock the procession of drug-crushe- d lives parades across our tv screens. We see the rich, poor, famous, and obscure poisoned by drugs. We see our favorite celebrities and athletes in trouble. Heroic reporters go undercover to show xmerica horrors by sneaking around in filthy back alleys, following a drug task force while it invades another shooting gallery. The camera zooms in on the reeling eyes and the trembling hands of the addict as he is being frisked and handcuffed, then freezes on the syringe lying at his feet. So what's wrong with showing the dangers of drugs? Obviously, the drug dilemma is a serious one. It would be absurd to say that it doesn't exist. However, the probTenVbecorhes'dpparent when one looks at why and how the media is looking it. Basically, it is dramatizing the "moments" because it makes good copy and good ratings. It seems that the media always have one critical headline that demands the public's immediate and undivided attention. So the press covers it, and recovers it, then focuses on it, comments on the effects of it, follows up on the public's reaction to in America knows it, until virtually everybody exactly how everybody else in America feels about - ,ir rrr-- i r - - .1 t ift Everybody knows how everybody else feels about everything. it. This critical headline has taken on a variety of subjects in recent history from exploding spacecraft, rock music labeling, terrorism, acid rain and drunk drivers to the various health problems experienced by Ronald Reagan. Each subject is exploited to its fullest potential. The end of a story is signified by a drop in copy sales or ratings. Instead of asking who and how people are taking drugs, the press needs to ask why. Why are we taking drugs? Why does a college basketball player, with a brilliant career ahead of him, die of a cocaine overdose? The real question that should be dealt with is "Why are all these people addicted to chemicals?" Of course this question isn't as seductive or exciting for the readers and viewers, but the answer will solve the problem. Let's get to work on it. |