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Show 2 The Ua-- na Times West VaSay News, Thursday, July 23, 1834 Editorial1 Utahns leave imprint on national Listening to America policy report, join call for alternative to big government agenda D.C. -The viewpoints and ideas of Utah citizens played a major role in the development of a Listening to America policy report unveiled today, joined in a nationwide call for an alternative to the big WASHINGTON, government, ly high tax, agenda current- regulatory being pursued in Washington. The people in Utah have played a key role in shaping policy recommendations that reflect the views of people whopay taxes, not just spend them, said National Policy Forum (NPF) Chairman Haley Barbour, whose organization released the Listening to America report here today. They helped us create a dynamic dialogue focused not on the ideas of a select few experts, but on the opinions of mm and women who face the consequences of government policies in their daily lives. Utah citizens contributed their voices to the Forums policy development initiative at a public meeting on federal lands issues, led by U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, U.S. Sen. Malcolm Wallop (WY), and former Commodities Futures Trading Commission Chair Wendy Gramm on Dec. 15, 1993 in Salt Lake City. More than 177,000 Americans have participated in the development of Listening to America. Fran education to welfare, health care to jobs, we have beard a consi- nent in their battle for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Barbour said. He said those who spoke out offered not only criticism of federal policies, but also suggested effective local-levand community based solutions to critical problems. The introduction to the report summarizes some of the ideas advocated in Listening in America. Economic policies that would stimulate growth through lower taxes and reduce the deficit by less spending; Education reforms like school choice and more parental involvement in community not federal control of schools; Trade policies based on el -- open markets and free trade coupled with global competitiveness unburdened by excessive taxes and regulations; A commitment to a strong national defense and foreign . policy; Emphasis on strong law enforcement, tough sentencing, and criminal control to control violent crime; Support for specific, not a targeted reforms government-ru- n health care to solve the prosystem blems facing health care without destroying the system that gives us the finest medical care in the world; Regulatory reform and balanced environmental protection policies that are bas ed on science and risk assessment and do not necessarily burden the economy; And welfare reform and other social policies that empower individuals and in- crease their opportunity, responsibility, and self- esteem instead of offering incentives for dependency and illegitimacy. The councils will continue refining policy recommendations in the coming months. The Forum plans publication of a more extensive, publication in the spring of in-dep- th 1995. Listening to America is available to the public, free of to charge. Call request a copy. so-call- ed refrain: individual freedom and individual responsibility are far preferable to government power and government responsibility; let us solve our problems ourselves," Barbour said. The National Policy stent Forum: A Republican Center for the Exchange of Ideas is it a organization non-prof- launched in 1333. At more than 60 public forums in communications across the country, concerned citizens expressed a sense of betrayal by their government, often characterizing it as an oppo MAGNA TIMES USPS 325-58- 0 8980 West 2700 South Magna, Utah 84044 J. HOWARD STAHLE Publisher BONNIE STAHLE Advertising Manager Office Manager Layout GARY BLODGETT Editor KENT GOBLE Sports Editor - Feature Writer DEANNA JONES Arts Entertainment Editor Production Manager & SHARON LINSCHOTEN Staff Writer STACEY T. CASE Staff Writer RENEE Contributing Writer DALE SIMONS Sports Columnist DANA JONES Layout Published each Thursday Subscription $15 per year $18 per year out of state Second class postage paid at Magna. Utah 84044 Postmaster Send change of address to: Magna Times 8980 W. 2700 So. Magna, UT 84044 (801) 250-565-6 or FAX (801) 2505685. Letter to Editor gress against the National Endowment for the Arts. Recent action has been taken in both the House and the Senate to punish" the NEA for questionable and of-arts performances that have received funding from the Endowment. One of most recent occurrences, of which I am sure you are aware wrejvw' perfor- mances at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. I must say (hat such perfor-mances dismay and offend most of us involved in the arts. Such a performance would never be allowed or in any way be sponsored by the Utah Arts Council. Such events, however, must be placed in their proper context The grant received in Minneapolis did not come directly from the NEA. As is the case with the great majority of the questionable artistic endeavors mentioned in Congress, the funding was granted by a local organization that in turn received its funding from the NEA. The NEA was not involved in the grant selection process. It reminds me of a story I beard where someone was being held accountable for a donation made to a political campaign that was in turn spent to promote a very questionable and possibly illegal a violation to the activity original intent of the donation. It seems as if the NEA is being used as a subject for ' political grandstanding. Although maligned, sometimes deservedly so in the past, the NEA truly is doing wonderful things. NEA dollars are helping fund thousands of local arts organizations throughout the U.S., including over 100 in Utah. Utahs organizations range from the Utah Symphony to small community groups meeting in local schools, civic centers, and firehouses. These artistic organizations are found in nearly every Utah community. For many of our communities, these groups and the events they sponsor are the lifeblood of economic development and the center of our cultural identity. The Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City delivers over $1 c2on weekly to the load Dear Editor: of Mabe December 5, 1990, Gary approached Carol Mabe from behind at her work place. He On the morning beat her with an metal bar, washed the bar off, and placed it with others in the back of the warehouse. Gary Mabe returned to the area, noticed Carol Mabe was still breathing, and used an pipe wrench to beat her about the head until she veteran was dead. A homicide detective and the coroner said it was the worst beating they had ever seen. Gary Mabe was convicted of second degree murder and a first degree felony and sentened to five years to life. The judge recommended that Gary Mabe remain in prison without the possibility of parole. Yet after serving less than three years, Gary Mabe he is could be released scheduled for a parole hear18-in- ch 18-in- 15-ye- ar ing on August OPEN LETTER TO UTAHS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION I have a growing concern ecooomy. Similar stories can As director of the Utah thatl share with many others be told in Logan, Springdale Arts Council, I ask you to involved in the arts in Utah Moab, Park City, and celebrate the success of the and throughout our nation. It countless other Utah comNEA in communities involves the public stance being taken by. many in Con- Letter to Editor 12, 1994. NRAs (National Rifle Association) CrimeStrike is joining the family of Carol Mabe in opposition to the release of Gary Mabe, their stepfather. A member of the Mabe asked, My munities. Most of the comthroughout our nation by mother family cannot be paroled munity theater, festivals, and voting for the full 1995 budget from her grave, so why arts shows you enjoy in your estimate of $140,950,000 and should he get paroled from own hometown receive NEA by voting against the proposhis cell? Gary Mabe never dollars through some source. ed cuts. has told he killThe NEA has made Lets not cut the hand that ed his anyone why admits but wife, Card, wonderful strides over the provides millions of so, according to past few years in better Americans with quality, doing did ring mainstream America It inspiring artistic events. published reports, and hekillin it the a that made way demands much from the The proposed cut of over ing (me of the most brutal organizations it grants fun-tb- e $7 million in the NEAs Intermurders Salt Lake City ding The truth is sometimes disciplinary Arts, Theatre, could recall. authorities mistakes are made. I flunk and Visual Arts Programs demands that the Justice sa Ronald Rea-said it best, will decimate thousands recommendation that however, in estate tnectb-a- of - worthwhile artistic judges in Mabe remain prison made during his presidency: endeavors across our nation. Gary without parole be upheld. Too "Artists have to be brave; including many in Utah! they live in tbe realm of ideas There are many Utah arts often the wheels of justice and expressions and their organizations that could turn against the innocent Too ideas win often be procease to exist if these cuts often brutal, violent crimes go virtually unpunished. Too vocative and unusual Artists were to become reality. often honest Americans do stretch the limits of Thank you again for the not know what the system understanding. They express support you have shown the is doing. And, too often no ideas that sometimes are unUtah Arts Council and the one believes anything can popular. In an atmosphere of arts in Utah. This matter is be In fact Rice Univerdate. liberty, artists and patrons of vital importance. The Utah are free to think the un- Arts Council and the Utah sity sodologist Stephen L. thinkable and create the arts community asks for your Klineberg has said that ... people no longer believe audacious. They are free to support. that government can do make both horrendous Sincerely, anything about crime (New mistakes and generous York Times, Feb. 9, 1992). celebrations. Whore there's Bonnie Stephens It a disgrace that is liberty, art succeeds. In Director ruthless murderers like Gary societies that are not bee, art Utah Arts Council Mabe should even be condies. sidered for parole. People have little faith in the government to do what is needed to slow violent crime. People have listened to the empty but promises for decades those promises ring hollow just days before a vicious murderer could be released after serving less than three years for murder. What about the police? We all know the police cannot be everywhere all the time. Police need more manpower, more equipment but more importantly police need a justice system that will not release criminals back out on the streets before the police officers have completed the paperwork. The result? The result is the shared outrage of citizens, victims, police, prosecutors, and others who watch armed violent criminals increasingly threaten our lives, families, and individual freedoms. But something can be done about crime, if laws are ser-fensi-ve LAFF law-abidi- enforced and proven crime reduction methods are used. can We brutal stop murderers like Gary Mabe from getting parole. And we can correct the bankrupt criminal justice system that allows violent, convicted criminals to walk our streets. NRAs CrimeStrike is working with Utah activists and surviving family members to accomplish both. NRAs CrimeStrike has a rich history of pushing for meaningful criminal justice reform and helping victims of crime overcome a justice system more interested in protecting criminals. NRAs CrimeStrike is putting its resources into attacking violent criminals, and The attempted paroles of convicted killers in New Jersey, Nebraska, and Texas were thwarted with the help of CrimeStrike. Three Strikes and Youre Out legislation is the law in California and Washington state because NRAs CrimeStrike aggressively similar pushed for it legislation is being considered or has passed in Georgia, Oregon, and New Mexico. Texans voted in favor of a billion dollar prison building effort with NRA CrimeStrike s support. And, NRAs CrimeStrike helped pass needed victims rights constitutional amendments in states. five In Utah, CrimeStrike worked with activists to place a proposed constitutional amendment for victims rights on the ballot this year. On the federal level, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted the NRA-backe- Chapman d Amendment to the House crime bill increasing prisons pending from $3 billion to $13.5 billion. Nearly 90 percent of the U.S. House of Representatives agreed with the National Rifle Association that the best way to combat violent crime is to build more prisons. To stop Gary Mabe (prisoner ID. 820918), NRAs CrimeStrike is asking people to write fax and call the parole board at fax (801) a 261-648- 1, phone (801) 261-646- 4, address: Utah Board of Pardons and Paroles, 448 East 6400 South, Suite 300, Murray, UT 84107. The parole board must receive your comments by August 9. Petitions are also being circulated by local gun clubs, firearms dealers, and CrimeStrike volunteers. Please note: A Utah Supreme Court decision requires the parole board make available to the inmate a copy of the correspondence, the names, but not the addresses of anyone opposing the inmates release. Demand that the parole board keep brutal murderers like Gary Mabe in prison. We do have the power to take back our communities. Lets start by keeping convicted killer Gary Mabe in prison. Sincerely, Elizabeth J. Swasey Senior Policy Counsel CrimeStrike (A division of the National Rifle Association) facias all means, lets SEND him to Washington! Its ONE way of getting him out of town! By its working. OPINIONS? CONCERNS? Write a letter to the editor! Letters must be signed but anonymity may be requested. SENDLLI I ERS TO: Edita, Magna TimesWV News, 8980 West 2700 South. Magna, UT 84044 |