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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1982)
opinion Battalion/Page 2 January 22,1982 o< Reagan vs. Nadar on ‘over regulation’ By HELEN THOMAS United Press International WASHINGTON — Since he took office, President Reagan has been trying to wipe out what he calls “over regula tion” by the federal government and red tape that hamstrings business. “Throughout our country, helpless people, children, the elderly, the dis abled and millions of other innocent con sumers are being denied the protection of their national government,” he said. He has placed Vice President George Bush in overall charge of the watchdog operation to rid the government of ex cess regulations, waste, abuse and fraud. But consumer advocate Ralph Nader has written Reagan that his administra tion is displaying “a brand of anti consumer extremism that would make the people of Nixon and Ford adminis trations blush with shame.” “In the name of government intru sion, your administration has launched an unprecedented assault on regulations designed to protect consumers against unsafe automobiles, hazardous consum er products, shoddy merchandise and deceptive or unfair business practices,” Nader charged. In his letter to Reagan, Nader said that in the name of “regulatory reform” there will be “more American casualties from dangerous products, more ripoffs, and more anti-competititive price rises for hardpressed American consumers to suf fer from.” But Reagan has contended he has a “mandate” to eliminate excessive govern ment regulations. It has been a burning issue with him to free the economy from most governmental restraints to permit a wider play of competitive forces. Every few weeks, he issues a report on the strides his appointees are making in cutting down the paperwork involved in carrying out the regulations that have be come a part of the system for some 40 years. Assistant White House press secretary Mark Weinberg said, “The president be lieves that much federal regulation is wasteful and unnecessary and that the consumer’s best protection is not a grow ing federal bureaucracy but a free and competitive economy.” Weinberg said the administration will not hesitate to issue and enforce regula tions where there is a real evidence of need.” One case in point, Nader said, is the requirement that American consumers “be exposed to the costs and risks of $50 billion Alaskan Natural Gas Pipeline, while the corporate owners of the pipe line reap the profits.” He said that protective regulations in the automobile field have been dropped along with many proposals to increase air safety, including reducing the number of hours pilots can fly from 70 hours a week to 40 hours a week. Nader said that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been severely affected by a 30 percent reduction in its staff. In terms of regulation, he said, the commission has eased rules governing safety on power lawnmowers, and shelved plans for fire safety regulations on upholstered furniture. A number o local merch can be repla ie Book Ih the nutrition and food safety area, Nader said the administration had de railed proposals that would have im proved nutritional labeling, approved a sweetener about which numerous ques tions remain, slashed the woman-infant- children feeding program for low in come pregnant women, and cut back on school lunch programs. And that goes for Tippecanoe, tocf' as Nader commended the administration for blocking further increases in milk price supports, but criticized the admi nistration for approving sugar price sup ports which he said will raise sugar prices by 25 percent in the stores. “Catering to the demands of the drug industry, the administration has prop osed to eliminate the patient package in sert program which would provide con sumers with information about the attri butes and potential hazards of frequently prescribed drugs,” Nader said. by Dick West United Press International WASHINGTON — While similarities between the current recession and the Vietnam War may not be readily appa rent to the untrained eye, a parallel does exist. In each case, one must look back into history to find the points of origin. Richard Nixon, you’ll recall, used to assert that he inherited the war from Lyndon Johnson, who claimed he caught it from John Kennedy, whose associates blamed events during the Eisenhower administration. And so it went. Pursuing that line of reasoning, I once traced the genesis of the war all the way back to Millard Fillmore. So it is now, to some degree, with the recession. When it is suggested that his economic policies brought on the slump. President Reagan is quick to affirm that the condi tions that produced the downturn already were locked in place when he got here. On one occasion, Reagan blamed “sev eral decades” of misguided actions for creating the situation he is now trying to correct. On another occasion, he said the ill-advised course had been followed “30- odd years or so.” Thirty years would take us back to the start of the Eisenhower admdinistration. However, it can be argued with sound logical that the seeds of the recession were planted long before that. Striving to repeat the service I per formed so ably during Vietnam, I have been searching the archives to see if I could determine exactly when the reces sion’s antecedents were born. My research points at least a circum stantial finger of guilt at our 10th presi dent, John Tyler. Theodore Roosevelt once said that to describe Tyler as “mediocre” was to in dulge in “unwarranted flattery.” Maybe so, but it was during Tyler’s administra tion (1841 -45) that the government sepa rated the fiscal year from the calendar year. bl as by Ter Battalu Prior to 1882, the years had mil currently. Then, during Tylenl Fiscal New Year’s Eve was chann| June 30. i Although other analysts may disifeThe Air For I am convinced this switch precipbf the nation’ the dissolute practices Reagan turtehools — Tex are responsible for the recession. jy.theMassacl To those of us who live In the® ec ^ n0 * 0 Sy a dar,Jan. 1 is the time for resolution#^ Univeisl . t r Jffirbine enei is when we get a grip on our w# effide 6 nl tendencies and steel ourselves fo^Gas turbim year ahead. feddy in higl Who among us has any will po\f aircraft, as w< on July 1? By that time, we haviphks and momentum and are flowing wii'generation. T tide. Thus there is little or no presst|P nt uses a gz the government to straighen upatff e ^9 P ercei electrical pow If Reagan wants maximum pubUfl^^fJ port for tough budgetary polici®° ct five 6 to should move the fiscal New Year, p. ac j uate stU( has now veered all the way to Oct.Master's ant to conjoin with the calendar. These stude So much for you, John Tyler. If#MOO a mon ren’t for you, we wouldn’t be in thisr w hik in scho< guaranteed a Letter: It’s time to top criticizing, start supporting Editor: major turbii during the si ing graduatit _ There is i tion involved on military c< a graduate I’ve been an Aggie fan since I was old enough to know what an Aggie was and I’ve never seen the turmoil stirred quite the way it has this year. I’ve sat back and listened to Angelique Copeland strike out against the “flight of the great Pum- kin,” thrust for the throat of Mr. Bright, and finally, her merciless stab at Mr. Hood and the Corps of Cadets. Do you even smile on Christmas morning? Were you shut away as a child only to become a critic comparable to none. As for myself, I’m tired of your sarcastic attacks on anything that walks. Even though you are entitled to an opin ion, I really feel you need a lesson on objectiveness. Your last attack on Mr. Bright was the last straw. There’s two things at Texas A&M that you just don’t mess with. The Board of Regents, and the Corps of Cadets. This school has always been the Corps, and even though many non-regs are fanastic people, the question of thier place here is not for me to say. I’ve seen women invade the quad, and many coaches come and go. Whether or not I support their exist ence here, change must take place for advancement. Bingo, there’s the vein. In order to move on, changes must be underwent, and it’s time this unique uni versity found a really great coach, and I wish him the best of luck, but his record does not compare to Mr. Sherrill’s. Over five seasons, Sherrill led the Panthers to a 50-9-1 record and two bowl games. Tom Wilson may have been mistre ated in his dismissal, but the fact is, he is gone and Sherrill is the new AD and head coach. It’s time we quit causing waves and show him what that “Aggie 12th Man” is all about. Why spoil a talented team’s chance to prove it. The team will play for who is coach, whether Wilson or Sherrill. Angelique, sometimes I honestly think you belong in Austin, you have the per fect attitude for that little institution down north. Quick to criticize, but short to apologize. Fans, alumni, and faculty I call for you to stop criticizing and begin supporting the team has a job to do, don’t put a halter on them before they start! Let it ride Miss Copeland and for God’s sake, if you want to criticize the Corps, become a waggie and see what really happens inside these arches. Paul Vaughan Company C-l situation and remember your years at effort to maintain the author’s intent. Texas A&M as being enjoyable amidst Eac h letter must also be signed, show the 1 ^ P int °u j lan .f.' 1 Y ou wel1 address and phone number of the writer, and hope that God will richly bless you Columns and guest editorials are also and your family. , welcome, and are not subject to the same delay to part length constraints as letters. Addr^fam. About s inquiries and correspondence to: E 8 ^ 80 will be The Battalion, 216 Reed McDt^ ai , ch P 10 ] 1 ' Texas A&M University, College St; 1 *' T i^„ s a u p 1 TX 77843. itieAirL Early job offer Shelly Greenberg ‘84 Editor: RHA supports Vandiver I would like to announce well in adv ance my willingness to accept the position of athletic director and head football coach at Texas A&M effective Jan. 1983 in the event that Mr. Sherrill fails to pro duce a national championship football team in the upcoming season. Admitted ly, I know very little about football or the goings on within the University’s admi nistration, so I therefore promise to offer my resignation at the first sign of trouble or dissention. Perhaps I am better qual ified to be considered for the presidency of the University. In whichever position my talents are suited, I will act on my own accord with total disregard for the per sonal feelings of others, the wishes of the students and alumni and the accepted etiquette and policies of the University. Come to think of it, my true calling may be the Chairmanship of the Board of Re gents. Editor: At the first meeting of the semester Thursday night, the Residence Hall Association voted unanimously to com mend University President Frank Van diver for his contributions to the Univer sity in the following letter: Dear Dr. Vandiver, As the events of the past week begin to settle, the Residence Hall Association, representing 10,000 on-campus Aggies, would like to express confidence in and appreciation for your leadership at Texas A&M University. William H. Bassett, III 3905B Olive St. Although you have only been with us a short while (but long enough to receive the nickname, “The Oldest Fish on Cam- pus“), you have demonstrated qualities that every Aggie would be proud to pos sess. Good luck, Wilson We look forward to knowing you better. The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Angelique Copeland Managing Editor . JaneG. Brust City Editor Denise Richter Assistant City Editor Diana Sultenfuss Sports Editor Frank L. Christlieb Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Assistant Focus Editor Nancy Floeck News Editors Gary Barker, Phyllis Henderson, Mary Jo Rummel, Nancy Weatherley Staff Writers .... John Bramblett, Gaye Denley, Tim Foarde, Sandra'Gary, Colette Hutchings, Johna Jo Maurer, Daniel Puckett, Bill Robinson, Denise S. Sechelski Laura Williams, John Wagner Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Richard DeLeon Jr. Photographers Sumanesh Agrawal, David Fisher, Peter Rocha, Colin Valentine Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting news paper operated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions ex pressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M University administrators or faculty mem bers, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratorynem^ for students in reporting, editing and photOgmW ses within the Department of Communicatim | Questions or comments concerning any edit^W. ter should be directed to the editor. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300nj length, and are subject to being cut if theyaren The editorial staff reserves the right to edit I#* style and length, but will make every effort to nitj the author’s intent. Each letter must also be signed the address and phone number of the writer, j Columns and guest editorials are also welcon*' are not subject to the same length constraints as^t Address all inquiries and correspondence to: j The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas AM versity, College Station, 'EX 77843, or phone(7lS ; 2611. The Battalion is published daily during Texas '!: fall and spring semesters, except for holidayandji . nation periods. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per J|! ter, $33.25 per school year and $35 per full year ft tising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 ReedMtDj j, Building, Texas A&M University, College Stati» ! r 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusi'® the use for reproduction of all news dispatchesjCHjli to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matterl*! reserved. Second class postage paid at College Static* 1 ■ 77843. ■ Editor: I submit this as an open letter to Coach Tom Wilson: Dear Coach Wilson, I would sincerely like to thank you for all of your hard work and effort that you put forth here at Texas A&M as head football coach. You have done a terrific job. I think you are a fine man, as well as coach. I, as an Aggie, feel very embaras- sed by the actions of Texas A&M’s Board of Regents. Their actions reflect an atti tude of ignorance and inconsistency. I hope you will overlook this deporable Tim Ryan President, Residence Hall Association the small society by Brickmo;, Letter’s policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every £V£-fZ.Y TlM^ ITHIMKI LiF£ A UTTL& £3(3 K ~o Is. ■» H Si Er3 o\ &\m BUHIISI* I ©1981 King Feature* Syndicate. Inc. World rights reserved. 5-7