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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 1983)
Page 12/The Battalion/Monday, October 3,1983 i PACs gave $80 million Boring! photo by Dave Scott Shelly House takes advantage of the nice weather and tries to do some studying in the bleachers by the drill field Wednesday morning. House, a freshman from Boise, Idaho, is majoring in pre-dentistry Benefits cut called ‘justice miscarriage’ United Press International WASHINGTON — As Dean Witt lay dead of a heart attack on the operating table on July 1, 1982, his doctor began to weep in anger at the U.S. government. “He said it was atrocious that they had cut Dean’s disability off,” recalls Witt’s twin brother, Richard, of Phoenix, Ariz. “He said it was just a miscarriage of all social justice.” Witt, who was 57, had suf fered three earlier heart attacks and a stroke since he started re ceiving Social Security disability benefits in 1972. Despite his declining health, his benefits were cut Dec. 16, 1981, like those for more than 286,000 other disability reci pients in the 2'<4 years since the Social Security Administration began a sweeping effort to trim non-qualified workers from the rolls. The General Accounting Office, in a report delivered Sept. 14 to Sen. Howard Met- zenbaum, D-Ohio, provokes new questions about the cut backs. It concluded that of a sampling of 26 disability reci pients who died in the months after their benefits were halted, 19 succumbed to their original disabling impairments. The findings of Congress’ in vestigative arm, made available to United Press International, also said that in 18 of the cases — including Witt’s — the benefit termination was reversed on appeal. Elgin, Ill., truck driver who suf fered arteriosclerotic heart dis ease, had received benefits for three years before he got his let ter in April 1982. Witt was informed he was los ing his $480 monthly checks be cause he was capable of doing “medium work.” “They cut him off when he had cataracts, glaucoma, heart condition, stroke, diabetes and one kidney,” his brother said. “His income was absolute zero. He had to spend $107 a month for medicine just to stay alive. He couldn’t work” “The pressure on him was incredible. We believe the six months of not knowing what was going to happen was enough to have triggered his last and final heart attack,” he said. Josepl own, ha On July 30, 1982, a month after Witt died, an administra tive law judge reversed the deci sion and ruled he was entitled to his benefits. William Denney, a former Watt called ‘insensitive’ United Press International WASHINGTON — House Democratic leader Jim Wright said Sunday that Interior Secret ary James Watt is guilty of a “la mentable but not an impeach able offense” with his wisecrack about members of a coal advis ory board. Wright declined to join mem bers of Congress who have cal led for Watt’s resignation for his comment that the commission is made up of “a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple.” “Well, obviously, he is not really very sensitive to other people’s feelings,” said Wright, interviewed on Cable News Net work’s “Newsmaker Sunday” program. “I don’t think he intended to insult anybody but it was a terr ibly unfortunate comment. His insensitivity to other people’s feelings is a lamentable offense, but it is not an impeachable offense. And whether or not he resigns is a matter entirely be tween him and the man who appointed him, the president.” On other subjects, Wright said that despite congressional agreement to a compromise with the White House authoriz ing President Reagan to keep troops in Lebanon for up to 18 months, “not only a majority, but perhaps a unanimity of all the members of Congress of both political parties want to bring the Marines home.” But he said the United States should speak with one voice and stick to its commitment to help keep the peace in that battle- torn nation. “Apparently the together ness that has been demons trated, our capacity to work together though one house is dominated by another political party than that of the White House, has convinced the Sy rians and others we’re serious,” he said. And Wright said that despite the Soviet shootdown of the Ko rean airliner, “everyone agrees” that a verifiable U.S.-Soviet freeze on the testing, produc tion and deployment of nuclear weapons is desirable. DISCOUNT MUFFLERS » AMERICAN AND FOREIGN CAR SPECIALIST Installed By SMALL CARS AT PARTICIPATING DEALERS "One of the finest names in automotive parts!" FOREIGN CARS CUSTOM DUALS HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS CUSTOM PIPE BENDING BRYAN 408 South Texas Ave. (Corner of SOthSt). .. 775-01 88 Individually Owned & Operated IN AND OUT IN 30 MINUTES IN MOST CASES IN AND OUT IN 30 MINUTES IN MOST CASES OPEN DAILY AND SAT.8-6 PM mm Copyright © 1983 Meineke United Press International WASHINGTON — The 80 freshmen congressmen elected last November received a total of $7.4 million from special in terest groups during their 1982 campaigns, Common Cause said Saturday. A study released by the self- styled citizens’ lobby also noted the 80 fledgling lawmakers re ceived contributions totaling another $1.5 million from the special interest groups — known as political action committees — during their first six months in office. The Common Cause study said PACs contributed $80 mil lion to congressional campaigns in 1982 — accounting for about a third of all the money donated to House members and 22 per cent of the money receive by Senate winners, the Common Cause study said. Incumbents in 1982 received $48 million in PAC money, four times more than challengers re ceived. Political action committees but said there was are formed by specific groups done unless the system chat for the purpose of giving money “I think the reason I’mii to political campaigns. Major top is that I came intoCouf corporations form PACs, as do with a debt of $225,000, most large special interest groups. PACs are allowed to give $5,000 to a candidate per p ' 11 Richardson. "I’m very cerned about PACs. 1 sujj any kind of reform. I guessi all victims, and we’ve The study said PACs accounted for 27 percent of the campaign contributions re ceived by the lawmakers in their first successful congressional campaigns. PAC money also represented 43 percent of the campaign contributions they re ceived in the first six months of their terms, Common Cause said. The study marked the open ing volley of a new Common Cause battle against PACs, which it accused of buying access to congressmen with $80 million in campaign contributions. “PACs put their money where the power is,” the group said in a statement. “And now that (the freshmen congress men) are incumbents, these Representatives are finding that PAC money flows much more swiftly into their campaigns.” ary and $5,000 per general elec tion. Common Cause said the top 10 freshmen receipients of PAC money in the first half of 1983 were: Bill Richardson, D-N.M., $71,896; Don Sundquist, R- Tenn., $59,864; John Bryant, D-Texas, $54,300; Robert Tor ricelli, D-NJ.; $52,409; John McCain, R-Ariz., $47,200; Ger ry Sikorski, D-Minn., $40,551; Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., $40,228; Howard Nielson, R-Utah, $38,500; and Ron Packard, R- Calif., $38,432. Both Richardson and a spokesman for Sundquist said they were concerned about the influence of PACs on campaigns A spokesman for Surd) said, “As long as the system up the way it is, there’s m unethical about it.” He said Sundquist “tod money from anyone he already on common g with.” The spokesmanii that Sundquist’s voting hj been influenced by thef! ng them from v noting that the congressms r cently voted in favor of i, slurry pipeline that v cut railroad business, received PAC money from roads. "We’re not selling out, and our voting record that out,” the spokesman T IK by John Battalio The Texas . earn is frustrate The Aggies ai ause if it’s not c lents, it’s anotht • A&M TENN1 • SWC ROUNI • HIGH SCHO Democrats woo NOW women United Press International WASHINGTON — Six Democratic presidential candi dates pledged Sunday to consid er a woman for vice president and one of them said he would be willing to run in the second spot with a woman at the top of the ticket. Sen. Gary Hart, D-Colo., got a rousing cheer from more than 1,000 delegates to the National Organization for Women’s annual convention when he said, “I would be proud to run with a woman on either end of the ticket.” The issue of a woman on the Democratic ticket caught fire at the convention after its presi dent, Judi Goldsmith, opened the three-day meeting Friday by declaring that a woman vice presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket should be a goal for 1984. trumped their ace in making his pledge. It was a sharp contrast to last summer when he was hissed at a National Womens’ Political Caucus Convention for disre garding the time limit set for candidate’s speeches. Former Gov. Reubin Askew of Florida, the seventh Demo cratic candidate, did not attend. Glenn ran into some loud hoots of derision when he said, “I think we all loafed on the ERA and let opponents out-hustle Glenn met with Goldsmith and former NOW President Eleanor Smeal later in an effort to clarify the remark that angered some of the delegates. Never another car. buy Most drivers save money by leasing instead of buying. You could save thousands of dollars over the life of your next car. Test-drive our lease. You’ll never buy again. BENCHMARK LEASING, INC 1735 Briarcrest Dr. Bryan / 7754881 In their first tv |ear, the Aggies loints offensive! Jense played in ! Aggies went 1-1. I Then, in their the year again State, the Aggie ( [nd again, Texas &M coach Jack esaw signs of im fensively against and expected a st ice from the Ag H&M’s confen ■gainst Texas Te | The Aggies’ < it Sherrill down. I A&M turned lerhaps its finest irmance in yea led Raiders. Th constant pressure irbackjim Hart laider punts an fumbles. They alsi ley plays, includi liana. Before adjourning Sunday, the convention considered a re solution urging such a step and at the minimum demanding that a feminist fill both places on the presidential ticket. “They said he was able to work,” recalled his widow, Loretta. “I saw how depressed he got, because I knew he wasn’t able to work and he knew if he didn’t we couldn’t make it on my income. “He worked two weeks and died nine days later due to the fact that he had to work. If he had been examined by a Social . Security doctor and they would determine that he was able to go back to work, then I would agree — but they didn’t have him ex amined.” Former Vice President Wal ter Mondale, senators Alan Cranston of California, John Glenn of Ohio and Ernest Holl- ings of South Carolina, and for mer Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota all promised to give serious consideration to a woman on their tickets but Hart ATTENTION CORPS Do you need your senior boots before Christmas? If so. Guaranteed delivery if you order before October 5th. Bring your deposit now. Coi witi VICTORS II JUST BOOTS 3601 TX Ave. 846-4114 Posthumously, Denney’s be nefits were restored. known, had a history of depress ive reactions and alcoholism when he was put on disability in 1964. On July 24, 1982, 26 days after his benefits were termin ated, he killed himself with drugs and alcohol. Davis, like many suicide vic tims, filed no appeal. There is onlyr one telecommunication company this old. And this new. 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The Cowboys best start since a tiing in the 1977 :hampionship se Danny White c of 40 passes for 2 an 11-yard TD j Pearson in the fo that sealed the lows’ intercept second of the opened a 27-24 with 2:14 left i quarter. The Vikings jthemselves in th two penalties foi yard loss. Safety ners’ second inti White had set up at their own 47. The Vikings o 13 halftime lead, quarter, Rod Hil Late 17-1 Check your College Placement Office for more information and interview dates. AT&T Communications We are an equal opportunity employer United Press Int PITTSBURG Pittsburgh Steeh Houston tougher time around, use quarter touchdow afield goal todefe 17-10 in an AFC ( sion game Sunda; The Steelers snapping a two-j losing streak, beat ers 48-28 at H( weeks ago. “The second tii the tougher of th sburgh Coach C said. “It certain time. It was touj way around.” Cliff Stoudt with Walter Aberc 51-yard touchdov Gary Anderson ki yard field goal to < ton’s 10-7 four lead. Stoudt’s pass to bie ruined a grea effort by Houston 0na2nd-and-l sburgh’s 49, the O Stoudt out of the he broke free of t ders along the si flipped a pass to