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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1982)
jf m m opinion Battalion/Page 2 February 11, 1982 How about converting it to a condominium? By Dick West United Press International WASHINGTON — Upon signing the Fiscal 1982 budget he sent to Congress this week, President Reagan commented that if the United States were a business, “this country would be declared bank rupt.” America’s assets, he said, “couldn’t sell for what the liabilities are.” A good point. At last count, the na tional debt was topping the trillion-dollar mark and rising. But I’m sure the presi dent was on firm ground when he added assurances that “this country is not going to go bankrupt.” My confidence in the nation’s ability to avoid foreclosure stems in part from the support it could draw from the private sector and other governmental entities. The Chrysler Corp., for example, would not stand idly by and watch Amer ica go down the tubes. If need be, Chrys ler could be counted on to guarantee loans for enough money to see the gov ernment over the hump. And in a pinch, New York City surely would pitch in to help bail out the country. One way the city could raise funds to keep the country afloat would be to sell Manhattan island back to the Indians. While it’s doubtful present-day Manhat tan would fetch as much as the original purchase price, remember that bank ruptcy claimants usually have to settle for less than they have coming. Of this you may be certain: You’ll nev er hear the mayor of New York telling Washington to “drop dead.” J ust for the heck of it, however, let’s try to imagine what might happen if the Un ited States did go into receivership. Undoubtedly there would be a liquida tion sale that would include selling back to France the territory America acquired under the Louisiana Purchase. In 1803, the land was worth $15 mil lion. That, of course, was before certain improvements, such as the installation of a bar in the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans in 1826. Today, taking inflation into account, the parcel of real estate that lies between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains and stretches from the Gulf of Mexico northward to Ganada should bring at least $15,000,000.27. Also going on the block would be Alaska. When the United States purchased what is now our 49th state from Russia for $7,200,000 in 1876, the transaction was derided as “Seward’s folly.” If Russia bought it back, would the resale become known as “Brezhnev’s folly?” Seems a bit unlikely, but stranger things have happened. For that matter, selling Uncle Sam's assets probably would not be the most remunerative means of handling foreclo sure. Bigger bucks could be raised by sti mulating a take-over battle between Mo bil and DuPont. In the pattern of their struggle over Gonoco, the two corporations might jack up the bidding, thereby increasing the country’s value. Or, if the insurance is paid up, maybe we could have a fire sale. Slouch By Jim Earle “Isn’t it exciting to have this facility where our students can pursue academic excellence, broaden their horizons, develop scholastic- ally, achieve their aspirations, and be stimulated to the highest levels of performance?” Washington Window Reagan rolling up his sleeves by Helen Thomas United Press International WASHINGTON — President Reagan is telling his supporters to “watch out for the horror stories” that his 1983 budget is causing suffering and hardships among the needy. In sounding his warning, Reagan is also voicing some apprehension that such concerns might thwart his drive to cut federal spending for social programs and to turn them over to the states. White House spokesman explained to reporters: “You are going to see a lot of stories of people on television and in the newspapers of people being deprived. But we’ve found a lot of them don’t hold up.” 1 he president appears to be at the crossroads in vindicating his philosophy that the states can do the job for the peo ple better than Washington. He is begin ning to rail against the federal govern ment as he did so often before he reached the White House. To critics of his “new federalism” program and high deficit budget, he says “put up or shut up.” The Democrats have yet to present an alternative, although Speaker Thomas O’Neill insists other plans of action will be offered. He also is beginning to take jabs at the press, who he believes will be the bearers of the bad news. He also has begun to chide reporters for “instant analysis,” and “knee jerk reaction” to his programs. He is determined to prove that he is on the right track, and that those of little faith are misguided. First, he has to whip his Republican •sdj^porters into line. While not yet in ma jor rebellion, some members of the GOP are defecting and their ranks could grow. He has decided the best defense is offense. Hence, his warning to reporters that the Democrats will “probably try to Find horror stories . that that I think all of you ought to be on guard against.” He said that there are those in govern ment “who will, if possible, sabotage and deliberately penalize some individual” who is deserving of benefits “in order to get a story indicating that the programs are not working.” “We have much to do before we will see the light, but I think we are at least approaching the bend in the tunnel,” he said. The president hopes to align state and local legislators to back his “new federal ism” and he is telling them, “There are pundits in Washington who consider the statehouse to be the backwater of Amer ican politics.” “They do not trust you to run your own affairs,” he said in an address to the Iowa State Legislature. “They do trust you to show compassion to needy nor justice to your disatk taged.” In short, Reagan has found and! Fined the enemy — Washington. He says, “Washington has no coi on compassion or wisdom or men and he pledged, “If we do nothing els this administration, we’re going toci vince that city that the power, themoi anti the responsibility of this country! gin and end with the people and not some puzzle palace on the Potomac." He believes he has a receptive aii ence out there, and cited in his! Moines speech a Gallup Poll thathes shows Americans trust state goto ments more than the federal goverwwB 2-to-l. et l 1 “An all-intrusive Federal governmt with big taxing and big spending does work, never has worked and neverw! he told the Iowa lawmakers. Those who observed him on thestun in the wintry Midwest decided th Reagan is in a combative mood and re# to take on his opponents. Hehasrol up his sleeves, and is confident thatl can triumph again as he did last ye when he pushed through his budgeti tax cuts. Letter: New Federalism plan is just common sense Editor: I am writing this letter in response to the mounting opposition that the demo crats have built up over President Reagan’s proposed New Federalism plan. The way 1 see it is this: If the deficit spending and increased taxes don’t re duce inflation or soaring interest rates (which the democrats have tried for so unsuccessfully in the 20th century) then it is quite obvious that another approach must be administered. T his approach is balancing the budget and reducing in come taxes. By balancing the budget, the nation will have less money in the mar ketplace. This is the ideal situation for reducing inflation because when too many dollars are chasing too few goods, the price of goods go up. However, to maintain equilibrium in the economy, a certain amount of spending must take place. This is why taxes must be reduced so that Americans can take more charge of their lives. Without a certain amount of consumer purchasing there would be, as President Reagan put it, “stagflation.” t.? ■ . ■ ’ • ’ . taxes, iniiauuuuiwi mLciesl rai.v.s will fall and that will free up the money supply. At the interest rates of today, American business and industry are less likely to make capital investments. However, at lower interest rates, American business will be more eager to invest and produc tivity will rise therefore reducing the un employment rate by putting Americans back to work again. Come on democrats, what’s wrong with a little common sense? Richard J. Gosselin ‘85 Coach or get on the bench Editor: After reading Mike Stolte and Elaine Dudich’s letter concerning the Aggie bas ketball team and their concern with the Texas A&M football team, I was promp ted to write a letter of concern myself. Growing up, I was always impressed with Texas A&M’s Twelfth Man tradi tion. 1 had never found a group of stu dents who supported their football team and school as much as the Texas Aggies. As a freshman I couldn’t wait to join that elite crowd on the East side of Kyle Field. Unfortunately, after a couple of games, my image of the Twelfth Man had tarnished. The Twelfth Man was not to be found. What I did find was a bunch of students constantly criticizing the players and coaches. Some even yelled obscene- u w Tcm. How can these people say that they represent the Twelfth Man? If you know so much about football why weren’t you sitting with the players on the bench or helping Coach Wilson coach? That’s what the Twelfth Man is isn’t it? I believe that Coach Sherrill and the Texas A&M football team are the most knowledgeable on how to coach and play football at Texas A&M today. If you feel you know more, step forward with your ideas now. Don’t wait to yell at them from the upper deck. David C. Brown ’84 ‘Kermit People’ reply ject to being cut if they are longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s in tent. Each letter must also be signed, show the address and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials arei | welcome, and are not subject tothesa® I length constraints as letters. Address* 8 inquiries and correspondence to: Edi ^ The Battalion, 216 Reed McDouall i Texas A&M University, College Stati# i TX 77843. Editor: This is in response to Roger King’s false claim of mistreatment by those “Kermit People.” For your information Mr. King, I happened to have had a bird’s eye view of this incident from my room in Legett. Being a senior, I would have thought that you had learned some common courtesy during your stay at Texas A&M. Have you not realized that most people step out of the way when the Corps goes running? Is it such an incon venience to step three feet to the side, to allow them to pass? As for this “dishonor able” incident, don’t you think it was “dis honorable” on your part to not attempt to step aside? What if this had been a train “unsubtly” blowing its horn for you to move. Would you have defied its whistle and stood in the tracks anyway? No, Mr. King, I think not. Fiona McCracken ‘82 Cindy McDonald ‘84 Letters policy Letters to the Editor should not ex ceed 300 words in length, and are sub- The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Angelicjue 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 Jennifer Carr, John Bramblett, Gaye Denley, Sandra Gary, Colette Hutchings, Johna Jo Maurer, Daniel Puckett, Bill Robinson, Denise Sechelski, Laura Williams, Rebeca Zimmermann Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Richard DeLeon Jr. Photographers Sumanesh Agrawal, David Fisher, Eileen Manton, Eric Mitchell, Peter Rocha, John Ryan, 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 hers, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory nenpf for students in repot ting, editing and photography® ses within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any ediw® matter should be directed to the editor. ' L.etters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words 1 length, and are subject to being cut if they areloif The editorial staff reserves the right to edit lettersle style and length, but will make every effort to mail" 111 the author's intent. Each letter must also be signed,si' 5 * the address and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, 1 * are not subject to the same length constraints as let"" Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Ed 11 "' The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&ML) versity, College Station, TX 77843, or phone (713)^ 2611. The Battalion is published daily during Texas Aid 1 fall and spring semesters, except for holiday andesat* nation periods. 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