4 OPINION Page 4 Saturday, January 19, 1985 The Michigan Daily .6, ite £tidtgau Batlj Edited and managed by students at The University of Michigan Wasserman f Vol. XCV, No. 90 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 IF' WiE WANHT TESOVIETS TO TM1[E U6S SROUSLY Editorials represent a majority opinion of the Daily's Editorial Board Abortion discrimination L N NEXT WEDNESDAY, for the four- teenth time since 1978, the state senate passed legislation which calls for an end to medicaid funding for abortions. It seems likely that the state house will also pass the legislation, but that Gov. Blanchard will veto it. This time, however, the proposal may have the backing in the senate and the house to override the veto and make into law an unfair and short-sighted piece of legislation. The ardor with which each side of the abortion issue has argued its points has caused the issue to become a sharply divided one. Recently, bombings of abortion clinics have served only to further separate the two sides of the issue. The proposed legislation, however, should be unacceptable to both camps. To those who call for a right to choose, denying medicaid supported abortion is unacceptable because it takes away that choice from. the nation's poor. The choice will remain for the wealthy who can afford to hire a doctor, but will be taken from those who cannot. The right-to-life camp bases its op- position to all abortions on the belief that killing an unborn child is immoral. But denying medicaid funding for abortions would prevent only the poor from having abortions and would do so only by sheer economic force. There would be no moral indication of why abortion is "wrong," and the example of the wealthy continuing to have them performed would paint the issue as an economic, rather than moral one. In addition, the proposed legislation would have rather drastic effects on the poor who choose to have abortions, yet cannot afford to pay a surgeon. Thanks to the current system of medicaid funding, the graphic reports of women mutilated by incompetent "alley surgeons" who claim to be able to perform cheap abortions have sub- sided. A change in the current situation could make such incidents common once again. It is encouraging that Blanchard seems likely to veto the proposed medicaid restriction on abortion fun- ding. The likelihood of the congressional override, however, is frightening. Banning medicaid funding is not a solution to the controversy surrounding abortion. It is only a par- tial solution and it should be opposed in light of its inherent discrimination against the poor. 4 ell,~r ) - . s 1 rS 'I'S r///!_ uL A LETTERS TO THE DAILY Cosie th*he oksoentw Thinking bigger EDUCATION may be somewhere below building maintenance on the University's budget priority list, but as far as Gov. James Blanchard is concerned, quality teaching programs are a primary consideration. State of- ficials have just released information on the governor's budget plan for the coming year and, instead of becoming "smaller, but better," Michigan's schools may have a chance to become stronger and more effective-to the tune of $150 million increase in state funding. Though some analysts have said that the increase in funding for schools is indicative of better financial times for the state, more importantly Blan- chard's proposed budget illustrates a welcome trend toward renewed com- mitment to education.. The governor's proposed budget, if adopted by the state's Legislature, will mark the third year in a row in which schools and education programs have received more support from the state. Last year, education spending rose by $177 million. Two years ago, the budget was increased by an unprecedented $230 million. Within the $150 million increase, an $80 million increase has been budgeted for higher education in the state. A "research excellence fund" will ac- count for $25 million of the increase and $25 million will go toward work/study programs, competitive scholarships, and other financial aid programs. Michigan schools are getting back on their feet, and as a high priority of government, opportunities and ex- cellence in education may continue to improve. Blanchard is expected to of- ficially release the budget figures sometime next month, and then the final decision will be up to the Michigan Legislature. Quality education is important to the well- being of the state. And if Blanchard can convince the state's lawmakers that his budget program is sound, that quality will be continued. To the Daily: Consider the University Cellar: The Cellar was started by studen- ts, is owned by students, and has as its primary goal the service of students. It is a non-profit organization. It provides a unique educational setting for students to participate at every level of decision making as workers, managers and members of a cor- porate board of directors. It has been the price leader on tex- tbooks and other student needs for 15 years, forcing many other stores to stop squeezing the students' pocketbooks. It has consistently returned the highest overall percentage of dollars to students selling back their books at buyback. The Cellar's tremen- dous success has been due to the overwhelming participation and support it receives from the students, who recognize the value in protecting their own interests. Consider Ulrich's Bookstore: Ulrich's has served the Ann Ar- bor community for 5 years. It is a locally-owned traditional bookstore, surviving the uproar over textbook prices in thelate 'Go's which gave birth to the University Cellar by matching the Cellar's discounts on many items to stay in the competition when many other bookstores dropped out of the market. It is a leader in the South University student shopping district. Service to students is also very important to Ulrich's, which provides an alternative source and location for student shopping needs. Consider Barnes & Noble: The slick corporate giant has now moved its chain-store operation into southeast Michigan, and has its eyes on takeovers of other University stores besides Wayne State and University of Detroit. It brought its corporate pricing policy of list price plus low buyback prices with it, and has been summarily snubbed by University of Michigan students this bookrush despite a massive ad compaign. It pushed con- venience but is no more than a two-minute walk from either Ulrich's or the University Cellar. Its loyalties are in New York, not in Ann Arbor, and aside from the few jobs it may provide, will drain dollars from the local market. Its offerings on non- course books will never match the depth and wonderful ambian- L Cellar was just a tenant A AL l 4C ' Q" C' 'tA K C 4Ca T 1 'C ' K A LK raL-T LA: yak , p.ca a.K , -c, t. [-r ck v -rq 'IT, -cP,- "AL LkV VT4 ZK 4 To the Daily: Andrew Hartman's misguided assertions in his article, "New Union bookstore is a bad idea" (Daily, January 13) must not go unanswered. After recounting his book-buying experiences, he finally makes his point; somehow the University "kicked out" the "glorious" U-Cellar. Well I remember the situation differen- tly. After long (and heated) negotiations the Union and U- Cellar were unable to agree to a new lease. The Cellar's lease ex- pired (they made good on a threat to move) and they left. For example, Andrew, at the end of the year when your apartment lease is up you can resign, renegotiate, or leave. Your lan- dlord does not have to make special provisions for you to stay. He finds a new tenant. It is that simple. To insinuate some kind of con- spiracy where the Michigan Union Board of Representatives (MUBR) wanted to "evict the student bookstore... (for) one which charges very high rates for books hoping to bilk gullible BLOOM COUNTY students" is simply wrong. Fur- ther, I fail to see Henry Johnson's (vice-president of Student Ser- vices) role in protectinga Union tenant. He has done an admirable job and does not deserve your unknowledgable criticisms. Fur- ther, a recent Daily front page article revealed that in fact for some books, Barnes and Noble is cheaper than Ulrich's or U- Cellar. But this is not the point of my rejoinder. The question remains: How far should the University go in supporting bookstores? As some are aware, the University is involved in selling course packs (basement of LSA building), but it is not the most economical buy, hence its low usage. You made the U-Cellar into some sort of "public," "regent-chartered" in- stitution, but in fact it is a "privately" albeit, student-run bookstore. My bet is that it will thrive, maybe the U-Cellar will be forced to close (I doubt it), but both of them and Ulrich's will be more competitive, with us the con- sumers benefiting. If you don't like these "ripoff private firms," I suggest you take Jesse Helms' advice, encourage your like- minded friends to buy stock in the company and direct it more towards your liking. Or even bet- ter yet, boycott it and maybe your dream will come true and Barnes and Noble will fail and U- Cellar will return to the Union. Meanwhile next time you want a Snickers at the Union, go to East Liberty and Division. -David Kaufman January15 Bookstore s masquerade To the Daily: I was appalled to see the Bar- nes and Noble ad in yesterday's Daily masquerading as a Michigan Union Bookstore; it is in no way sponsored by the Union or the University. It is a com- mercial Book Store that forced out the student bookstore. It rents space on a purely commercial basis and has no right to call it- self a Michigan Union Bookstore. I hope you will print a disclaimer and refuse future ads that misrepresent this store. -Suzanne Meyer January 16 by Berke Breathed "TrwR ir/.s tm iiU~tAI n n AIIJA - --- MV.IIIAA- l Mff/, i