The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, December 08, 1978, Image 2
Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Friday December 8, 1978 Carter ready for mid-term conference By DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON — There was a time then the White House feared that the Democratic Party’s mid-term conference, scheduled for Memphis this weekend (Dec. 8-10), might be the birthplace of a dump Carter movement. But that danger disappeared when Camp David froze his potential challengers in their tracks. There was a time when the White House feared that the Memphis mini-convention might turn into a monster gripe session, with dozens of defeated Democratic candi dates and officeholders descending on the scene to blame their losses on Carter and his policies. But that danger was diminished by the modesty of the losses the Democrats suf fered in last month’s election, and by the fact that the President and his aides did all in their power to save those few Democrats who were defeated. With the dangers of political revolt and post-election recrimination effectively re moved, there is really only one quesiton on which Memphis can possibly shed some light. That is how much, if any, resistance Carter will encounter as he reshapes the Democratic Party’s domestic agenda from its traditional emphasis on social programs to a new priority for anti-inflation spending cuts. The President is dispatching about 100 top White Hosue and agency officials to Memphis — at their own expense — to defend his programs to the 1,800 or more grass roots delegates who are expected there. The one whose work is most critical to the turnaround Carter is attempting is James T. McIntyre, Jr., the director of the Office of Management and Budget. While the delegates are packing their hags for Memphis, McIntyre and his budget aides are busy in Washington feed ing memos to the President to counteract agency appeals from cutbacks in social pro grams. OMB has ordered these cuts to meet Carter’s goal of reducing the fiscal 1980 budget deficit below $30 billion. Public service jobs for the hard-core un employed and for jobless youths will be reduced by the OMB edicts. So will federal spending for health, education and alterna tive energy research. Many other programs will be forced to absorb the impact of infla tion without increases in their current funds. If Carter backs the McIntyre decisions — and there is every reason to believe that in most instances he will — the budget submittted in January probably will be the tightest in terms of real-dollar growth of domestic programs that any President has proposed since the Eisenhower years. Carter’s judgment is that this is exactly what the voters want in a time when persis tent, high-level inflation has eroded the value of the dollar and jeopardized most families’ ability to manage their own budgets. The question is whether the constituen cies of the Democratic Party that have tra ditionally fueled the demand for expanding domestic programs are now prepared to accept Carter's judgment and priorities. There are important groups of Demo crats — the mayors, the minorities, the unions, the teachers and the elderly — who want more from government, not less. All of those groups will be represented in Memphis. But the advance prospect is that if they want to challenge the changed direction of the administration, they will have to do it on their own. Most of the elected officials who have been spokesmen for their causes in the past will either be absent from Mem phis or muzzled by the fairly restrictive mini-convention debate rules. The notable exception is Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who is coming to debate the case for national health with White House aide Stuart Eizenstat and Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph A. Califano, Jr. But Kennedy’s stay in Memphis is ex pected to be brief, and his dissent is likely to focus on that one issue. For the rest, the opposition is being or ganized by people on the fringes of the Democratic Party: by socialist author Michael Harrington and his “Democratic Agenda movement, and by community organizer Wade Rathke and the loose-knit coalition of community groups which calls itself ACORN. If the dissent is confined to those quar ters, there is little doubt that the budget cutting philosphy will remain dominant in Carter’s remodeled Democratic adminis tration. (c) 1978, The Washington PostCompany Democratic Leader Byrd takes the test By CHERYL ARVIDSON WASHINGTON — Republican gains in the Senate will put Democratic Leader Rolx*rt Byrd s talents as a compromiser to their sternest test if any change is to be made in the Senate’s ability to stop bills from being talked to death. The filibuster is a timehonored tool whereby minority opponents take to the floor to talk at length to block legislation from coming to a vote, regardless of whether the bill has enough votes to pass. To deal with the filibuster, the Senate in 1917 adopted a procedure — known as clo ture — to limit debate and schedule a final vote if two-thirds of those present and vot ing want to end the talkathon. The two- thirds requirement was changed to 60 of the 100 senators in March 1975. Washington Window The concept behind cloture is simple. After the Senate agrees to a motion to shut off debate, the bill in question becomes the sole business before the Senate and each senator is limited to one hour of additional talking time. Eventually, the opponents will use up their allotted time and when no one else wants to speak, the bill gets its longawaited final vote. But in recent years, the late parlia mentary genius Sen. James Allen, D-Ala., found a way to keep cloture from doing what it was intended to do if opponents were really determined to stop a bill. Allen became the architect of the “post cloture filibuster,’’ taking advantage of loopholes in the cloture rule that fail to include in a senator’s one-hour talk limit the time consumed by quorum calls and roll call votes on procedural or substantive motions. When Byrd became Senate Democratic leader in 1976, he tried to close loopholes in the cloture rule to make the Senate’s debate-limiting procedure meaningful once again. However, Howard Baker, the new Republican leader, rallied his GOP forces to hold firm against any change. Although there were only 38 Republi cans at that time, they voted as a bloc and got enough help from conservative south ern Democrats to wage an unbeatable filibuster. Byrd was unable to muster the necessary' 60 votes to invoke cloture and finally had to pull the proposed rules change off the agenda so the Senate could move on to other business. In the November elections. Senate Re publicans gained three more seats and reached a total of 41. If Baker can keep his forces solid again, the GOP alone has more than enough votes to stop a cloture vote on any proposed change in the filibuster rule and kill the rules reform effort. If Byrd wishes to close the loopholes and end the “post cloture” filibuster, he will have to strike an acceptable deal with Baker. In 1976, Byrd’s best efforts at com promise could nqt satisfy the minority, which is always edgy about its debate - rights, and Baker has even more bargaining chips this time. Ironically, the real loser if Byrd and Baker fail to reach an agreement on a change in the cloture rule will be the dem ocratic process. This whole system of government is based on a majority vote. In the Senate, that means 51 votes should pass a bill. The present rules are being used to effectively force that figure to 60 for controversial legislation — the number of votes needed to invoke cloture — and even that fails to guarantee a final vote. If the “post cloture filibuster” is allowed to rage with no constraints, the American public will find that a determined handful of senators could block even the most broadly supported piece of legislation be fore the Senate. Opponents argue the “extended debate” of a filibuster is needed to stop bad legisla tion. Byrd’s reply is terse: The way to stop bad legislation is to put it to an up or down vote and let the majority rule. x O' 3 A *80°' oqq) Greetings From Your Local Selective Suffrage Board Tax credit voting By DICK WEST WASHINGTON — Campaign spend ing, according to post-election computa tions, hit new peaks in this year’s congres sional races. Yet the turnout at the polls remained deplorably small, again representing less than 40 percent of the eligible voters. The lesson here is clear: we can no longer leave it up to the candidates themselves to arouse the electorate enough to go to the polls. Although big spenders may be able to buy enough votes to beat their opponents, lavish outlays evidently have little impact on suffrage per se. In other words, while a well-financed campaign may influence the way some vot ers who vote vote, it provides no ballotcast ing stimulation for voters who don’t vote. If, as many political scientists believe, present voting patterns are inimical to the democratic process, something should be done to provide more voting incentive. I’ve been giving this matter a lot of thought and may have the answer. As every taxpayer knows, presidential campaigns are now financed from public funds that we consign to that purpose on our income tax forms. So why not take this process a step be yond and use the tax form to encourage voting? Specifically, why not allow a tax credit for Letters to the Editor taxpayers who exercise their franchise in national elections? Tax loopholes have become America’s most powerful motivating force. They can induce people to insulate houses, contrib ute to charity, drink three martinis at lunch and otherwise behave in ways that are counter to their basic natures. People, in short, will do almost anything for a tax break — maybe even vote. What I’m proposing, in effect, is a re verse poll tax. Whereas some of us once paid taxes for the privilege of voting, we would now collect refunds for taking the trouble. The size of a tax credit necessary to incite majority voting would have to be deter mined at congressional hearings. In the tales of vote-buying that I’ve heard, $5 was a frequently mentioned fig ure. But that money went to people who probably would have voted anyway. The concept of rewarding someone for the act of voting, rather than for voting for a particular candidate, presents an entirely new statistical challenge. It will be argued, no doubt, that anyone who won’t vote without tax incentives doesn’t deserve the right to vote. I look at it this way: Voluntarily voting is our most precious heritage and is worth preserving at all costs. For if the tax credit fails to flush out the slackers, the alternative may be a voter draft. Dorm activity fee needs challenging Editor: How just is a mandatory activity fee? If you live in a programmed hall, you are required by your dorm to pay an activity fee. This fee is applicable to social, educa tional, recreational, and other activities. Are you aware that the fee, although mandatory by your dorm, is not required by the University? We have recently be come aware that there is an option in this matter. If you feel, as we do, that one should have the right to pay and participate or the privilege not to pay and not partici pate, then direct your grievances to your dorm council. Organize a group of fellow residents with similar grievances, and present your opposition to this “represen tative body.” We feel certain from past experience that we are not alone in opposition to this fee. Organized opposition cannot be ignored. — Cherri Marsh, ’79 Carloyn Kresta, ’79 Mitzi Micheli, ’80 Linda Roderick, ’80 Stephanie Moy, ’79 Vickie Tenhet, ’78 Uniformed voter Editor: Hey class of’82, are you satisfied with the representatives you have elected? What? You say you don’t know you have any? Well you are not alone. The election was barely publicized, the responsibilities of office were unknown, and some of the candidates did not even show up for their speeches. As a freshman this year I have had to adjust to many new experiences. I have learned about dorm living, organizing time, and what not to eat in Sbisa. But I do not know what a freshman senator is much less what his duties are. Why not form a group to gather informa tion on the candidates stating their pro posed projects and listing their respon sibilities. This pamphlet would inform the voters. It would also create fair and intelli gent voting by reducing those votes based solely on popularity or good looks. Voter apathy is bad when the people are informed. Blame is to be placed elsewhere when no information regarding the candi dates is available. — Sandie Winnie, ’82 Readers’ Forum Guest viewpoints, in addition to Letters to the Editor, are welcome. All pieces submitted to Readers’ forum should be: • Typed triple space • Limited to 60 characters per line • Limited to 100 lines Top of the News CAMPUS Account statements wont arrive Bill Lancaster, Texas AficM University budget and payrollsenicts manager, announced that faculty statements of account from the teachers’ retirement system in Austin will not be available this semes ter because of a p>ap>er strike. The statements are normally distributed in November of each year. Lancaster said he does not know when the statements will be available. STATE Tower election results certified Final tabulations made I hursday by the State CanvassingBoardii Austin certified the election of Sen. John Tower, R-Texas, over Rep Bob Krueger, D-Texas by a 12.227-vote margin. The canvassingofthe Nov. 7 U S. Senate election had been delayed because Krueger's staff had conducted a recount of the close race. That recount had not changed the final figures too much from the first preliminary count where Tower led by about 12,000 votes. Olson to head insurance board Rep. Lyndon Olson Jr., D-Waco, was apix)inted Thursday by Gov. Dolph Briscoe to head the State Board of Insurance in Austin. Olson replaces Hugh Yantis whom Briscoe had appointed after the resigna tion of Joe Christie last year. Yantis was forced to step down when the senate failed to confirm his appointment during the special legislative Elsie the cow may he in trouble Borden, Inc. and a San Antonio milk marketing plant recentlycame under fire when the companies refused to open their business records to Agriculture Commissioner Gil Dozier. He said the association between the two companies was being investigated for possible anb- competitive practices. TYae San Antonio company. Southern Milk,had just become the marketing representative for Baton Rouge areadair farmers. Dozier questioned a Ixaard member of Southern Milk about measures that might protect farmers against extensive useoftheirmi to produce cheese and other dairy goods that bring the farmeralower price than milk sold in liquid form. He also questioned its anticipated $1.2 million yearly earnings in Louisiana and the possibility that farmers would have to pay additional charges for the shipment of surplus milk to distant markets. He added that he may request an order compelling the company to disclose the business records. WORLD Smoke damages Notre Dame More than 200 Montreal fireman brought under control a fire Thursday that gutted a chapel and for a while threatened the Notre Dame church, a landmark in the city’s old quarter. Parish priests say the church was damaged by smoke and six inches ofwater on its floors. It will be closed to tourists and worshippers for at least a week pending a frill assessment of damages. District Fire Chief Lucien Seguinsaidan arson squad would be called in to investigate the cause. Oil prices to go up next year Saudi Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani has reported that members of the Organization of Petroleum Exerting Countries have “agreed not to freeze oil prices at the Dec. 16 Abu Dhabi meeting” and that oil prices will go up next year. He mentioned no figures, however OPEC states say prices will probably be raised by 5 to 8 percent at the Abu Dhabi conference with an increase to be implemented gradually. Propaganda charges defended South African President John Vorster Thursday opened an emergency session of parliament by defending the government against charges it secretly spent $73 million for propaganda purposes includ ing a pro-government newspaper and a chain of black movie theaters. He insisted that South Africa was simply countering the unconven tional methods of its “enemies” with unusual methods of its own. He conceded to the packed Assembly that because the funds were not debated publicly, the government ‘realizes that a heavier responsibil ity than usual rests on its shoulders to ensure that the special funds are used to the best possible advantage and with the greatest responsibil ity. Vorster added that if allegations that the government is using the funds to further its cause, then “action must be taken against the bodies and persons concerned.” A&NtI )od bee -= vas lei*, inc United I0SCOV s and the- ;alk alxti i oassy in Z' in the uschev v ee was se ennedy, ee are go i about a ig both si huge ho ly to fill i iven if tl ed up th ing befor fy then, )l of con* her draii complete mpics. ince 195 isv has ped, 1 Iding bui let aparti 'he top f ir by fire wded con in embas: itly comp Iding rem the two en it rain: hit buildi iscow is i ing bids fi one and ts a full-b Actually, ;otiating t isies simu ibassy in iet emba: In a typica th sides I ist start \v 1 neither i Mdings are ■Since worl in Washing American w< uction co ticularlv i JSoviet cm notoriously fcndards ai: Jat the Sov: [overnight The Battalion LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are subject to beinf* cut to that length or less if longer. 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Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor K Managing Editor Liz.' 1 *' Assistant Managing Editor .Andy"® Sports Editor Davids City Editor JamieAii Campus Editor Stetf News Editors Debbie IW Beth Calhoun Staff Writers Karen Rog Patterson, Scott Pendlf Sean Petty, Michelle Scudi Diane Blake, Lee Roy Lesi Jr., Dillard Stone Cartoonist DougGrtl* Photographers Ed Cuts Lynn Blanco Focus section editor Gary Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the University administration or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is a non-prof 11 ’ supporting enterprise operated l»J as a university and conwwnitij nt’^PV Editorial policy is determined by Furnished Efficienc Bedrooir No Escalal Fuel Adj Profession (24 HOUR Satun