1 1 Rain Eighty-two years of editorial freedom Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan I 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Mich. News Phone: 764-0552 Editorials printed in TheMichigon Daily express the individual opinions of staff writers or the editors. This must be noted in oll reprints. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1973 Restrictimg Congress' power PRESIDENT NIXON'S recent impound- ment of pollution control funds hampers future environmental improve- ment efforts and vividly demonstrates his warped sense of priorities in the area of government spending. But even more terrifying is the effect it has on our entire governmental struc- ture as envisioned in the constitution. The constitution gives Congress the power to appropriate funds. It is an ex- clusive power, devised as one of the leg- islative checks on the power of the other branches of government. Nixon apparently believes that he can ignore checks and balances in represent- ing what he calls "the best interests of the whole nation." HE AND OTHER members of his ad- ministration have said that since Congress has appropriated too much money in some areas and that these ap- propriations are inflationary, he has the "duty" to refrain from spending some of that money for the sake of the econo- my. This is strictly unconstitutional. Nixon is given the opportunity to make his case to Congress and the nation, and he can even veto bills that are passed. But if a bill is passed over his veto, then he is bound by it. This is the law of the land. The President argues that he is the only representative in the government to be elected by all of the people of this country. That is true, but our government is by law a representative one and Congress represents all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U. S. possessions. A vote of Congress represents a vote of the peo- ple. O CRUCIAL IS this issue that a. fail- ure of Congress to retain its power of appropriation could lead to a consti- tutional collapse. Nixon's impoundment of funds in ef- fect is a veto of a law passed by Congress over his own veto. Such a precedent would allow Nixon and future presidents to actually spend anywhere from zero to the full amount appropriated by Con- gress in a bill. Even the possibility of a president exceeding the amount appro- priated by Congress exists. Extending this line of reasoning to its logical extreme, a President could ignore a bill passed by Congress or even make his own law so long as "it is in the best interests of the nation." NOW IS THE TIME for Congress to ex- ert its rightful power, and for ad- ministration officials to disclaim Nixon's directives in this matter on the grounds of unconstitutionality. As bombers fly over Laos and Cam- bodia, as the defense budget soars to new heights in "peacetime", as the poor, dis- advantaged, and ignorant suffer from budget cuts in ,vital domestic areas, and as former administrative officials head toward jail for illegal political spying, we should all ask who is really obeying the law, and who really has the interests of the entire nation at heart. -RANDY PHILLIPS Editor's note: The following is the first of a two-part series analyzing the Rainbow Peoples Party'saposition within the Human Rights Party. The conclusion will appear tomorrow in The Daily. By DAVID SINCLAIR ARTICLES ABOUT the H u m a n Rights Party published in the Jan. 9, 12, 13 and 16 issues of The Daily combine to paint an incom- plete and misleading picture of the Rainbow People's Party and its involvement in HRP. The RPP has in effect been de- scribed as an "on-again off-again caucus" in HRP which has related to HRP in an "opportunistic" man- ner and which has of late been in- volved in ,a "blatant power play" for control of HRP. As a member of both RPP and HRP, I would like to correct the misleading picture of RPP given by your series of articles and to clarify existing differences within HRP. The RPP is an on-going organi- zation with a long-standing com- mitment to the Ann Arbor com- munity. It is organized and oper- ates collectively along communal lines, with a membership of over 25 persons who have committed their lives and energies to working in this community to help develop collectively - determined people's power here at home first. THE RPP's activity includes or- ganizing and implementing t h e programs of the Michigan Com- mittee for Prisoner's Rights; work- ing with mass community organi- zations, particularly the Ann Ar- bor Tribal Council and its People's Committees, to deal collectively with people's everyday needs, e.g. bowpeople the People's Produce Co-op, the representative non-profit People's Ballroom, the had changed free summer concerts, Psychedelic its inception Rangers, the Community Center itself to prin Project; working in the campus shared with R anti-war movement; agitating in These were the courts for prison reform, and local mass ba an end to oppressive legislation community by such as the marijuana laws, poli- issues of con tical discrimination against stu- running candi dent organizations at the Univer- ant local offic sity, and wiretapping by the Jus- forward wor tice Department; working to make the bogus pro our skills and resources available property part to other oppressed sectors of the of these candi community (e.g. the Ann Arbor they could an Blues Jamboree); working to offices for t create jobs and sources of income ::.,:;. for people who have none (e.g. the Blues and Jazz Festival and Peo- "As a mi ple's Ballroom); working on the i Cablecasting Commission; organ- e to izing and working to implement the given by Michigan Marijuana Initiative; editing and publishing the Ann existing Arbor Sun; and participating as . actively as possible in the organ- ized political life, including HRP, poor and pow of this community. city and cou Since January of last year, RPP state and nat has publicly supported HRP and vor of the lo its platform for building people's least one vict power beginning in Ann A r b o r. from that vic Prior to that time, RPP had re- tions, in whic fused to support the Radical Inde- full slate ofc pendent Party (HRP's predeces- iff, Prosecutor sor) because it did not address it- ty Board of C self seriously, in RPP estimation, The RPPd to the people's need for political those avowed1 power. and RPP gav LAST JANUARY several repre- and offered G sentatives of the HRP Steering candidate in Committee (including both present in which HR HRP Councilpersons) asked to in order to d meet with representatives of HRP cretely as pos concerning the upcoming spring ment to HRP elections. At the meeting the HRP the 1st and2 es said their party fundamentally since and had committed iciples HRP felt it PP. : 1) building a Strang ase of support in this y addressing concrete mmunity control; 2) idates for all import- es to consistently put kable alternatives to grams offered by the ies; 3) electing some idates to office where nd would utilize such he direct benefit of ember of both RPP and HRP, I would correct the misleading picture of RPP y your series of articles and to clarify differences within HRP." fii",""r:,.?i 4%: ;%;.. 'SW ::{q.::4%{i":{:v: :{v4". ea'"ma:"": mi:2:'.......:? k'":5sjh?, energies behind this, worked hard for 1st and 2nd ward victories as well as on Genie P.s' campaign, borrowed money to loan to HRP, and fought hard against political sabotage by University officials to produce two pre-election rallies, which generated a lot of election enthusiasm and lost a lot of mon- ey. AFTER THE victories, when RPP should have been participat- ing as actively as possible in HRP, RPP instead concentrated on its own sorely needed house re- construction and on other political work. RPP did participate - one but it was also subjected to par- liamentary maneuverings designed to snprress the discussion of those principles. The situation could not h a v e been clearer to RPP. RPP felt that the people in control of HRP and in control of the "open" conven- tion, the people who had forked their tongue so completely be- tween January and August, had succeeded in narrowing the f a 11 campaign down to U.S. Senate, State Representative, and two county commissioner races. In- stead of presenting issues of con- crete and immediate importance !o the lives of people in this area, RPP felt that HRP regulars used the campaign to advance a theore- tical analysis of how third parties diff'er internally from Democrats. THIS WAS A campaign, whichi RPP could not in good consci-mce support because, in RPP's estima- tion, it ran contrary to the peo- ple's interest in a strong HRP and was predicated upon a betray- al of principles established earlier. The RPP, after much discussion and effort, put forth it's analysis of the situation in the pages of the Ann Arbor Sun. RPP took pains to emphasize its continued support of the "programs", plat- form, and elected officials of the Human Rights Party (pg. 3, Sun, Issue no. 39, Sept. 1, 1972), their withdrawal of support in tie fall HRP campaign along with an ex- planation leaving open the pos- sibility of RPP endorsement of in- dividual HRP candidates. (RPP later endorsed all four IIRP cant- didates on their own merits). David Sinclair is a member of the Rainbow Peoples Party and the Human Rights Party. discuss the HRP i werless people in the nty; 4) eschewing ional elections in fa- cal; and 5) given at ory in April, building tory to the fall elec- h HRP would run a candidates for Sher- r, Judges, and Coun- ommissioners. does indeed share principles and goals; e full support to HRP enie Plamondon as a the old third ward, P was sure to lose, demonstrate as con- sible RPP's commit- and its candidates in 2nd wards, where it ERP could win. hrew the bulk of its member served on HRP Steering Committee and others took part - but generally in a half-assed manner. RPP believed, incorrect- ly, that the gains made in the elec- tion would inspire HRP "regulars" to consolidate HRP's strength and to enlist more and more people in its struggle for change. But at the August nominating convention for the fall elections, HRP had settled back to a core of regulars. Some of the s a m e people who originally sought HRP's help fought bitterly before and dur- ing the convention against t h e principles upon which RPP had based its support for HRP. At that convention RPP not only witnessed what it felt was a com- plete denunciation of the princi- ples outlined the previous January! looked like H The RPP th Energy crisis has ~'U' in the dark The gas tax boondoggle T'S TOO LATE now, but those of you who truck around town on something other than foot power had a good bar- gain earlier this week. By filling up your gras tanks before midnight Wednesday you presumably saved yourself the two-cent increase in the state gasoline tax which went into effect at that time. However, the gas tax increase has more implications than just the estimat- ed $14.28 extra the average driver will be doling out this year. The more ecology-minded folks will no doubt be pleased that one-fourth of this new revenue is earmarked solely for mass transit projects Prior to now, all gaso- line taxes had, by law, been used almost exclusively for constructing new high- ways: THUS A VICIOUS cycle was born-peo- ple paid the gas tax that went to Business Staf ANDY GOLDING Business Manager STEVE EvSEEFP ................Circulation Manager SHERRY KASTLE.............Advertising Manager PAUL WENZLOFF ............ Promotions Manager DEPARTMENT MANAGERS, ASSOCIATES, AND -AS- SISTANTS: William Blackford, Ray Catalino, Linda Coleman, Jim Dykema, Sandy Fienberg, Cynthia Kaufman, Dave Lawson, Elliot Legow, Oaryn Miller STAFF AND TRAINEES: Joan Ades, Dawn Bare, Linda Cycowski, Deborah Gelatein, Gregg Gunnel, Alan Klein, Steve LeMire, Beryl Levine, Paula Schwach, Ross Shugan, Tom Slykhouse, Edward Stieg, John Totte, Debra Weglara, Sandra Wronski, Ross Shugan SALES: Dave Burleson. Bob Fischer, Karen Laakko, Alexandra Paul, Mike Treblin, Debbie Whiting. STAFF ARTIST: Denny Dittmar. build new roads that led to an increase in gas sales that was plowed back into more roads. Thanks to the combined strength of the oil, automobile and road construc- tion lobbies the cycle seemed unstopp- able. Unfortunately, most of the revenue from the latest increase will probably also endup as asphalt. Nevertheless, the state has at least taken a first step in the drive to keep America from turning into one huge parking lot. AND THE PROBLEM isn't one of road- ways alone. For at the same time we're shelling out for the gas tax in- crease, we may be forced to bundle up to ward off the effects of a fuel shortage. Thanks to oil import restrictions, this country, as well as the state, might find itself without necessary heating fuel this winter. And naturally, whatever oil is distributed will cost us dearly. Only an enlightened public can apply the pressure needed to fully re-structure our tax and fuel priorities. And nobody expects this to come about until the en- ergy problem reaches more catastrophic proportions. --WILLIAM ALTERMAN Today's staff: News: Penny Blank, Robert Murray, De- borah Pastoria, Marilyn Riley, Gene Robinson, Rolfe Tessem, David Un- newehr; Editorial Page: Ted Stein Arts Page: Richard Glatzer Photo Technician: Randy Edmonds By ROBERT BARKIN A NYONE THAT reads a news- paper, listens to the radio, or watches television is well aware that we are in the midst of a crisis of alarming proportions. We are losing our very life-blood, our en- ergy. We are having, in short, an energy crisis. The University is well aware of the problem. It has been in the dark for a long time. Moreover, it has been conducting top level (or as Rainbow People put it, "High energy") discussions on the problem for months. The Daily has intercepted a transcript of such a discussion be- tween John Feldkamp, housing di- rector; Allan Smith, vice- presi- dent for academictaffairs; Frank Rhodes, literary college dean; and Charles Overberger, vice presi- dent for research. FELDKAMP: I think that our most pressing problems are in housing. Smith: They have been ever since you've arrived. (general laughter) F: Aw, knock it off, fellas. This is serious. I went to a dorm yes- terday to sample some of those delicious and expensive entrees that our dorms are so famous for, and I was shocked. Those poor kids are living and eating in the dark. S: What did you think? Y o u don't expect us to cut the power in the Ad Bldg. do you? How could we operate all our paper shred- ders and incinerators? Besides, each of our bureaucrats needs a certain allotment of power to mud- dle through the day. Let the kids adant to the dark. It's good for them. It builds character. RHODES: As a dean, I feel that the top priority for power should be in the classroom. It's not that the kids need lighting to study. But we do need power to operate our electrical chalk boards. If they go, I'm afraid we're lost. S: I can understand that well. In fact, I think that I'll have an electric chalk board installed in my office. They're neat. F: Can I have one too, Alan? Pretty please. S: Sure, John. Overberger: As far as research goes, I think we rate the most energy. You must understand that the defense of this nation lies on my, uh, our shoulders over in the engineering department. No elec- tricity, no bombs. That's a fact. You know you can't kill Commies without electricity. Let those kids sit in the dark, the creeps. I need my electricity. We must kill, I tell you. Kill the Commies. S: Alright already. Control your- self. We'll give you your power. Now, that seems to set our priori- ties pretty well. Any other com- ments? F: When can I get my electric c.halkboard? Robert Barkin is a night editor for The Daily. v Another U.S. withdrawal Nixie 9 Nxon: Working class hero. By CHARLES STEIN LIKE MOST political figures who have managed to endure for a generation or more, Richard Nix- on has learned to play a wide as- sortment of roles. Red-baiter, party hack, states- man-you name it-at one time or another the man in the White House has played them all. Thus, it should not have shocked t o o many people, when in his Wednes- day press conference, the Presi- dent stepped to center stage in a brand new role. Nixon, the work- ing class hero. Some excerpts from the new script should demonstrate t h i s point. Nixon congratulated those sold- iers "serving in a country . f a r away in a war that they realized had very little support among the so-called better people." On his decision to stop low-inter- est loans for rural electricity, he said, "Now 80 per cent of t h is money goes for country clubs and dilettantes, for example, and oth- ers who can afford to live in the country." i E1/ERVAk12 AS~ L2AL( "c 600 . .. L t 6 H AVT2iA IT'AC!M 1Ir icora0p1M IIU4 GHAPS t~XTuH KDS (W RSIJME6 TO PUT these comments in per- spective, one must remember that the speaker was a man whose campaign contribution list read like the subscription list of For- tune Magazine. More than a few corporate magnates must have spit up their coffee after hearing Rich- ard Nixon make statements t h a t would have made William Jen- nings Bryan blush. On other topics, the President stuck pretty much to the old mold, blasting those who opposed t h e Vietnam war, and refusing to grant amnesty to deserters. In short, it was an attempt by the President to identify himself with what he feels is the new America mainstream -sthe middle and lower-middle income person who has equal contempt for those beneath him and those on top. In the past, Nixon has firmly es- tablished his credentials as an enemy of the bottom, with his cuts in poverty programs and his at- tacks on 'welfare chislers.' Appar- ently the President now thought the time was ripe to demonstrate his hostility owards he rich. LIKE MOST OF the old Nixon roles, however, the new one is clearly a sham. He will, take no real action that would 'offend the rich and powerful. Their corpora- tions will still be safe from any governmental harassmentma n d their pocketbooks won't be pinched by any populist schemes for redis- tribution of the income. The same can be said for the Nixon's client, the working class. How former enemies never go home losers By DICK WEST WASHINGTON - With the signing of the peace treaty, North Viet- nam has gained an enviable status among the nations of tht world - that of a former enemy of the United States. From the standpoint of future economic development, it probably would have been better if the North Vietnamese had been defeated outright. Then they would have been the beneficiaries of a rebuilding pro- gram that would have restored the country ten times - yea, perhaps even 50 times - over. As has happened to some of the more fortunate countries that lost their wars'with the U.S.A. But, as the North Vietnamese will soon discover, it is better to have fought the United States inconclusively than never to have fought at all. BY MY CALCULATION, North Korea is the only former enemy that has failed "to achieve spectacular post-war prosperity. But bear in mind that North Korea underwent comparatively little bombing and thus failed to qualify for a massive recovery program. Although the war with the North Vietnamese was equally inconclu- sive, luckily for them they took enough of a pounding to become eligible for U.S. reconstruction aid. A recent Gallup Poll showed that 40 per cent of the American people favored helping to repair the bomb damage. And that survey was taken before the peace agreement was an- nounced. The next poll likely will boost the helping hand ratio to over 50 per cent, a figure that might well have been above 90 per cent had North Vietnam capitulated. IT IS NOT, HOWEVER, through direct aid that former U.S. enem- ies prosper. The big boom comes when they start selling us automobiles, motor bikes, transistor radios, tape recorders, television sets and imi- tation Zippo lighters. Already, you may be sure, Hanoi is getting ready to begin produc- tion of Homobile, the Hocycle, the StereoHo, the TeleHo and the PhotoHo - consumer goods named in honor of Ho Chi Minh and tailored for the American market. f 'SOT t~lMY FO 6 '- FORS ,f I I "I