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Show 2 THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, Oct. 13, 1988 ram c ylATtiTYTtlfTfl Americas Voters Are The Losers Who Won The VP Debates? The League of Women Voters. At least they have some principles, and the courage to stand by them. The way in which the questions were answered, or not answered (to be more accurate), makes me believe that neither VP candidate stands for anything. For that matter, the same was true in I. We are getting fed rehearsed answers, no matter what the question, and sadly the news media and the public allow the candidates to get away with it. It may be better to hear the rehearsed answers, anyway, because some of the unrehearsed ones are astounding (and scary). When Quayle was asked about foreign companies buying U.S. companies and real estate "on the cheap" (our huge trade deficit has devalued the dollar so much that our companies and real estate are seen as a bargain) Senator Quayle, in his wisdom, explained at length that he thought this was Bush-Dukak- is it provides jobs when Japanese companies buy U.S. companies. The Japanese are the managers and get the profit. We are the workers and get the low paying jobs. Thanks Dan, but no thanks. While Bentsen may have "won" the debate, he wasn't much better at answering the questions. If our parents ever asked us a question and we gave them an answer that had nothing to do with their question there would be hell to pay, but our candidates, with all the family values they keep telling us about, cant be straight with us. Its a strange business, this political process-smi- le and lie for the television camera, and above all, won't bore you with the facts. good I Well, tonight its II. Bush-Dukak- is For those of you with a sense of humor it should For others, like the be a real League of Women Voters, who really care about the issues, it will probably be a disapknee-slappe- r. pointment. Rhetoric Coming From Both Sides With all the rhetoric floating around about faced here is a misunderstanding in the the tax initiatives on the November ballot, it lic mind as to how government works puband has become commonplace to hear one side where it gets its money. or the other compare apples with oranges. Utah has more than 500 separate taxing What is disconcerting, however, is the entities, in addition to the state itself. One growing number of people who insist on look at a property tax assessment should comparing apples with immersible pop-u- p give some indication as to the complexity of toasters! taxation and this concerns only one type of Everyone (on both sides) is pushing their tax, let alone the many other ways governown personal agenda, and the complex na- ment has of assessing taxes. ture of these measures has created a mounDifferent taxing entities have different tain of confusion. Rather than thinking things sources of income through different taxing through, though, a frighteningly large chunk structures. For example, the school lunch of the population is choosing sides based on program receives funds collected from taxes - emotions alone. The penchant of people on both sides of these issues to refer to THE initiatives as if three unrelated measures were one animal may be part of the problem. They are not. Each is designed to deal with separate issues, without any connection with the other - - two initiatives. Another problem is the apparent confusion the public mind concerning what the initiatives might do. Somehow there is a blurred, d vague, understanding of tax limitations, tax rollbacks, tax rebates, tax credits and even tax hikes. in clear-as-mu- assessed on hard liquor (which, by the way, will not be impacted in all three initiatives pass the slightest even if voter scrutiny). It may take a bit of mental gymnastics t find any connection between alcohol lyna school lunch, but thats the way the law is structured. The story is similar with many areas of government. Different programs receive revenues from different tax sources, so any assessment of impact on those programs would have to take those sources into consideration to be deemed valid. To talk about "a six percent cut" or "a 13 percent cut" or any other number misses the point - the state budget is not one nebulous mass which can be whittled at as if it were a "lump," but an interrelated complex of functions which is similar to a living organism. Cutting away a piece of the "intestines" may impact both the "liver" and the "stomach," but would not severely injure the "lungs" or "heart." The real perception problem when it comes to impacts, though, is trying to second-guess what the state legislature might do. While no politician in his or her right mind would dare suggest overturning the initiatives if they become law, priorities would' have to be set by the legislature and some programs would no doubt have to be cut. Exactly which programs would get the axe or how much trimming might be done is anybodys guess hence, the confusing, contradictory figures which seem to surface almost daily. The upshot of it all is that voters need to become more aware of what this tussle over taxes is all about. Even if you think you understand the issues and even if youve already made up your mind how youll Vote -find out as much as possible about taxes and the tax structure. This election may be one of the most important in Utah's history ... it deserves a little more attention than some people are giving 3 XZ 3 Candidates Are Nice People Utah politicians come in all shapes and sizes. Just like the rest of us. But there the resemblance ends. Weve had the opportunity here to deal with many of them over the past couple of weeks as we prepared our Vote 88, which will be published as part of next weeks issue of your Green Sheet. I sent out a letter a few weeks ago inviting each candidate for office from U. S. Senator on down to your local representatives to the State Legislature and school boards to submit a 200 word statement along with a photo. The purpose was to give our readers an opportunity to get better acquainted with the men and women who want to represent us. There were 92 in all, from all parties. We set a deadline and a wo d limit, highlighting the deadline in bold face type. Given the scope of the project, we needed to allow sufficient time for typesetting, preparing the photos, etc. a staff we jokingly planned a lottery as to how many of the statements would reach our office prior to that deadline. As We also girded our onslaught that would our office Thursday at the noon Our most enjoyable hand-deliver- loins for the surely reach last deadline. experiences with the candidates were generally those who are running for state house and senate seats. Most of them are not what you think of as smooth politicians. Those who are incumbents certainly dont deserve to be called some of the names youve heard brandished about by those who dont appreciate their efforts. The candidates are, for the most part, very nice people who are willing to give up a heck of a lot of time to help see that our democratic form of government has a chance to work. Some of them appear to be more at home with the press than do others, but seemed virtually everyone genuinely interested in putting his or her best foot forward. Only one or two came in with the attitude that they were doing us a favor instead of the other way around. You see, theres no charge for this service. Almost every one d adhered to our limit. that all school board candidates easily met the deadline. While we received about play wont allow me to tell you which was which. Then of course there are those that simply dont appear. 200-wor- But Im just referring those who bothered respond. to to As I write this, were still shy about half of the responses we had hoped to get four days beyond the deadline. As you read this, it will be too late for those who pushed the request aside without doing anything about it. Our readers will be shorted an the opportunity to compare candidates in those races that dont generate other media attention. Thats why I accepted the late statements for as long as I dared. It wasnt for the candidates. It should be noted It does make you wonder though about how serious some of them are about giving you the kind of representation they all claim they will. They all say they want to listen to you, but heres a chance for them to talk to you with no expense and many of them declined. Or at least didnt bother. As Green Sheet sports writer Bob Burkett commented, "Apathetic voters deserve pathetic candidates." Milestones editor Ethel Bradford followed that up "Elections with, are like pregnancy. They go on for so long that you dont care how it comes out, just so its over with. Enuf said. -- First of all, no one on either side of these complex issues is advocating a tax increase - and politicians with any designs in that direction should banish the thought immediately if they want to avoid armed insurrec-tip-- n. Second, there's a big difference between the tax rollback proposed in Initiative B and the tax limitation advocated by Initiative A. When someone says "How did the library (or any other property entity) support itself two years ago?" the answer is simple with property taxes. Initiative B which deals only with income, sales, motor fuels and cigarette taxes would turn back those taxes to 7 ed - - pre-198- levels, while Initiative A would reduce the levels of property taxes - a different source entirely which were not affected by the actions of the '87 legislature. Tax rebates and tax credits are also being confused in this campaign of double-speaThe tax rebate is the check most Utahns received when the legislature voted to return part of the tax overpayment. A tax credit, on the other hand, is proposed by Initiative C for parents who choose to remove their children from the public school system to educate them at home or enroll them in private -- k. schools. Probably the real problem which has sur- - Murrayites Not Snobs Regarding Joseph N. Nemelka Jr.s response (Oct. to the letter signed by some Murray residents (Sept. 29) giving objection to annexing the Bennion area, Mr. Nemelka expressed a feeling of snobbery as the reason for the objection to the annexation. I would hope that we can recognize the difference between expansion for the sake of empire building, and expansion in response to neighborly requests from good and honorable people. I, for one, value the friendship and contribution to the community from the residents of our nearby neighbors. I wish it were a simple matter to realign and extend our boundaries to cover all the requirements to equally benefit all concerned. However, the many considerations become very complex. It would be my hope that no attitude of sleight or snobbery exists among the residents of Murray, and that our good neighbors, such as Mr. Nemelka, will know that that is not the reason Murray City has difficulty extending her boundaries. 6) Beverly Smith Murray Liked Quayles Responses There must be two Republican candidates for vice president, because nothing else could explain the difference between the media description of Dan Quayle and the man who debated Lloyd Bentsen Wednesday night. Dan Quayle presented himself as a knowledgeable, senator who has some strong convictions. He explained himself well and made Make Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen look rather foolish, especially on defense and foreign policy. What baffles me is how the media can so thoroughly ignore Quayles record in the senate. Ije has accomplished far more in his 12 years in the senate than Bentsen ha3 in 18 years. He passed the Job Training Partnership Act; he had the courage and level-heade- d YOUR GUYS A SBSKP - it. assertiveness to win the only amendment to the INF treaty; he is responsible for some of the more significant reforms in defense procurement; he has fought for a balanced budget amendment, a line item veto, and enhanced recession authority of the president. After the vice presidential debate, there shouldnt be any doubt that Dan Quayle is qualified to step in as president. What strikes me as odd is how little attention has been paid to Lloyd Bentsens complete disagreement with Mike Dukakis on the major issues. During Bentsens 1970 Senate campaign, he ran all over Texas complaining about the plague of that was ruining the nation. He would tirelessly campaign against big government, big labor and liberals. As the most liberal man to run for the presidency since George McGovern, Doesnt Mike Dukakis qualify as an " Above all the presidency requires a man of principle. Dan Quayle has taken a beating from the press, but he has held to his principles. How principled can Lloyd Bentsen be if he is willing to campaign for a man whom he disagrees with on nearly every major issue? Finally, as I see it, this shift of emphasis from n to is simply a ruse to direct attention from the obvious dominance of Bush in the presidential race. "ultra-liberalis- "ultra-liberal?- Bush-Dukak- is Quayle-Bentse- 6. Pro-Unio- n To Wayne Owens: Now we all know that you are a n man, you would not deny this. Not only does your voting record confirm this, but your campaign donations as well. But I have a question for you. g of Why do you not allow companies? How come you want to force everybody to join a labor union? Is it not their right to join or not to join? You liberals are always talking about pro-unio- double-breastin- individual rights. Please explain. Because everybody tells me that you are such a given us absolutely no reason to trust them. T have not followed any treaties signed by the countries. They have been the aggressor in century, (Eastern Europe, Africa, Central Amer and they are, despite the desper pleading of the American Communist Party foreign threat to this country. I condemn Michael Dukakis, Wayne Owens r Kennedy and all the other liberal members' Congress who forget the past, and continually v against a strong defense. No one can argue the f mat Reagan has handled the Soviet Union w of Grenada, starting to leave in Angc and Afghanistan. We have signed the first tre; that actually reduces nuclear Th advances have come through our present policy peace through strength. I Indo-Chma- ), eyreut Todd Larsen g, racketeering. Chris Isaac Condemns Defense Stand Brian Allen Owens Too good Morman, mission president and all, could you please explain this quote from one of your leaders? "How much love is there in starving your neighbor because he will not surrender his manhood and his individuality, and allow a labor union to direct his labor? Mighty little love, mighty little of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in any such rule. I hope to see the day when no Latter-da- y Saint will join a Union unless the Union eliminates that clause from its rules. I cannot see how a Latter-da- y Saint who is a member of such a union can get down on his knees and pray for God to inspire and bless him, to bless the Saints and protect them, and then be a party to allowing one of his own brethren to go year after year without employment, because that brother will not surrender his manhood and join a union with him." From Gospel Standards by Heber J. Grant, Deseret News Press, Salt Lake City, pages 135-1,3Utah 1941. Truth hurts, right Wayne? I challenge any one who disagrees with my claims to look in the Congressional Record and see for yourself how Congressman Owens voted on labor violence and labor double-breathin- 10 statements very early, indicating the candidate sat right down and dealt with the matter, about two dozen more came in on time. The rest of those you will see next week were late. My sense of fair There is an old saying that fits the present situation with the Soviet Union. "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it." Those words should be read and listened to by Michael Dukakis and Wayne Owens. Although we must be ready to accept change, that does not mean that we have to help usher it in. Michael Dukakis wants to go back to the good ole days under Carter when the United States was weak, and the Soviet Union expanded. Democrats like themselves refuse to believe the "War Hawks" in Congress, who believe that although the Soviet Union is changing, we should not be too trusting. When it comes down to it, the Soviet Union has from readers for either Letters to the E or As I See It. Lelters should be confin a length of about 250 words and not co libelous comments. must They be si and must be received in our office no than 10 a.m. Tuesday for publication week. Longer correspondence may be use As See It commentaries on a able basis. Primary considerationspace will tx en to those submitted by people with e; tise in the topic about which they wril brief description of that I expertise mav company the submission. All submissions are subject to editini space and clarity. They may be addre' to. The Green Sheet, P.O. Box 7187 ray, Ut. 84107. |