OPINION Page 4 Friday, October 24, 1986 The Michigan Daily Baker argues campaign issues On October 19 Daily Opinion staffer Peter Mooney interviewed Democratic congressional candidate Dean Baker. The following are edited exerpts from that interview. Daily: How do you respond to questions about whether you have enough experience or are ready to be congressman? Baker: I recently finished my dissertation in economics. I've taught economics for four years here and for two supported cutting programs across the board which are very popular throughout the district. D: Pursell argues that these cuts are necessary to reduce the budget deficit? B: One of the causes of the budget deficit was the corporate tax cut they gave out in the early 80s. Pursell voted for both that tax break and increased military spending which together caused the massive deficit that he now claims to be leading the fight against. D: What kind of impact could you have as just one congressman? B: I think I would have an impact on Central American policy and military spending. But I also think my candidacy is representative of something that's going on throughout the country which will have a strong impact on national politics. D: How do you respond to a flyer in which Pursell criticizes your endorsement by the Democratic Socialists of America and his statements that you are an "ultra liberal"? B: I think it's tragic that a five term incumbent can't do anything better that resort to name calling.When I talk to people about the issues they overwhelmingly agree with me. When you tell people how much of their taxes are going to the military they're upset. People in the district support legislation to protect family farms. It's Pursell who isn't representative of their views. D: When you entered the Democratic primary late in the campaign you were considered an underdog to win the district is very encouraging. Most people have never heard of Pursell and the people who have have almost all heard of him in a negative context. D:Michigan has lost a large number of industrial jobs; how do feel about proposals such as the recent plant closing legislation designed to halt this trend? B: Plant closing legislation came up before Congress twice and once lost by only 6votes. It would have required that companies give workers two months notice before closing and try to make arrangements with workers to keep their plants open. You go to a place like Jackson where two huge plants have been shut down and you can see Pursell's votes against the legislation don't represent the interests of the district. D: Do you see the trade deficit as having a role in this problem? B: We've got an enormous trade deficit and are the largest debtor nation in the world. Domestic content legislation, which Pursell opposed, would have protected the auto industry from foreign imports and it would have gone a long way toward putting that problem behind us. D : What do you think is the significance of the recent arrest of an alleged CIA agent in Nicaragua? B: If we're going to continue supplying the Contras with weapons through any means I think we're going to see continued escalation of the conflict there. This shows that Reagan's policy is increased direct American involvement D: Do think Pursell's money advantage will be a significant handicap for you in the campaign? B: It is a problem in that he'll be able to say a lot of things which I'll have no opportunity to respond -to. I think the flyer is an example of this. He did that out of some desperation. Unless you'ri really in trouble you don't want to give your opponent free name recognitiQn; Also; calling someone a socialist it a campaign in the second district is in effket telling Ann Arbor to go to hell. Two city council members here are in the Democratic Socialists of America McCarthyist tactics are just not acceptable here. D:What about University research funding? B: The National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.have been cut back. That's been the real scandal of the rise :in military research; it has resulted in less funds for other types of research. The autonomy of the Univetsity is threatened when research funds are dominated by the Defense Department. When you have the DOD funding a high number of research projects its going to stifle criticism of those projects. They aren't going to give money to people who disagree with them. at the University of Denver. In terms of not being ready, I think you can say the same thing about Pursell who has been there 10 years but has a poor grasp of the issues. D: You began your campaign very late, what made you decide to run? B: I felt someone had to challenge Pursell on the issues. I felt people had to have a clear choice. This was particularly true on the issue of Pursell's support for the Reagan administration's policy in Central America where voters were not offered a clear choice. He also has Dean Baker nomination and many considered your candidacy symbolic; has your view of the campaign changed? B: Though I always thought we could give him a run, what I've heard in the d Edited and managed by students at The University of Michigan LETTERS: I MSA code criticism flawed Vol. XCVII, No. 37 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Unsigned editorials represent a majority of the Doily's Editorial Board All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. One small step IBM AND GM corporations are reluctantly making a step to end U.S. support of apartheid in South Africa by selling their property in South Africa. Ranked eighth and second respectively among U.S. companies by number of employees in South Africa, the two multinational corporations made hard-nosed business evaluations that will influence the entire business community. Political conditions caused IBM and GM to pull out. The rebellion of the Black people in South Africa forced the white-ruled government to impose martial law. Day after day, the press had to report that Blacks, especially Black youth, were the victims of shootings by the regime's security forces. The rebellion continued in South Africa despite the regime's crackdown and the business community became jittery about the future. The value of the South African currency-the rand-fell to very low levels. At the same time, the courageous battle against one of the world's most efficient police states inspired renewed solidarity movements in the West. Institutional investors sold stocks in companies operating in South Africa and the U.S. government even made it illegal to invest further in South Africa.. Opponents of divestment from companies that operate in South Africa have argued that it is impossible for institutional in- vestors, such as the University, to influence companies like GM by selling their shares in GM. The withdrawl of IBM and GM prove, however, that political actions can translate into economic force. The contributions of divestment movements in the West are small compared to those of the indigenous people who risk their lives to liberate themselves in South Africa. Still, it is possible to do one's share in creating unfavorable conditions for businesses to operate in South Africa. Undoubtedly, IBM and GM do not want continued criticisms of their role in South Africa now that they have sold their operations. The New York Times even published an article with the headline "Divestment Ends A 5- Year Struggle" (10/21). It is necessary, however, to look beneath political appearances, especially in the case of GM. GM is selling its South Africa unit to the management there. By selling to Black employees, GM hopes to create a tiny Black middle class. GM will also continue to supply the renamed South Africa operation. Withdrawl by IBM and GM is a step in the right direction. Continued vigilance by the multi- faceted movement to cut economic, intelligence, military and cultural ties with South Africa will help ensure that U.S. corporations continue to find South Africa unattractive. To the Daily: Without having been schooled in government or academic administration, I still feel comfortable in calling the Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) resolution condemning administrators at Yale University for the suspension of five student protesters a societal double standard. If rules of conduct are espoused by our society as a whole, then why should students at any University be exempt from rules of conduct? It is absurd for the MSA to consider "a code of non- academic conduct" an injustice. Every society and organization needs rules. Instead of negating the need for such a code, the MSA should be petitioning for an active role in its making. It is not wrong to protest or dissent in our society, but rules must exist toprotect those being protested. Such is the case at Yale, where five students entered administrative offices and refused to leave. Students have no more of a justification for strong-arm militancy than do administrators. Insofar as rules of conduct for protests and for the protection of all students and academics, a code should exist here at the University of Michigan. The Michigan Daily reported MSA vice-chairman Ed Kraus as saying that administrators "seek a code to do away with student liberties that interfere with their efforts to stremline the University community." This is why students ahould participate in the making of such a code. Also, Ed Kraus mentions liberties, but what about the obligations and duties of being a responsible member of the academic community? The Bank policy change needed To the Daily: Dear President of First of America: After waiting in the long slow line which is typical in your Ann Arbor offices I was coldly informed by one of the tellers that any transaction for my account was impossible as E. Quad party policy unfair action taken by the Yale students was wrong. Besides, Yale is a private institution, and therefore has a right to have r code of non-academic conduct even if the students do To the Daily: On Sept. 18, East Quad residents received notes in their mailboxes informing them that henceforth all parties must be preregistered at the East Quad front desk. The policy originated from the head of the Housing Division. The Representative Assembly of East Quad has several criticisms of Housing's party preregistration policy. We recommend that the policy be rescinded. The policy is unconstitutional. It restricts freedom of assembly, a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The policy infringes on individual privacy by requiring residents to provide information on their activities that would otherwise be private. The definition of "party" is perniciously vague. Ten residents studying for a final exam are indistinguishable from a keg party. The purpose of this policy is unclear. It does serve to inform residents of their responsibilities as party hosts. Yet a fact sheet would accomplish the same function. In contrast, the form provides specific data as to the location and time of the party. This can be used to seed securityto certain specified rooms, threatening civil rights in a manner similar to that of ag police state. The policy is not only immoral; it fails to be effective. There is no enforcement mechanism, therefore the policy may be disobeyed with impunity. The party preregistration policy is an offensive failure. The residents of East Quad are insulted by its implementation and urge its immediate revocation. Bryan A.bCase October j not like it. A public institution must usually bend to political, legislative and student pressures. The five Yale students knew that a code existed. They must also have known that to defy it would win them punitive responses by the adminstration. -L.A. Velazquez Rivera October 16 I ti-1Kin5--f coin4o, for +11 i n k .1 11 stoMbwttn ari n )PiL vi r .F dlo rr ---- )2 *Q A * 64 ;1{':: n{:i:i;.i4:; K' i xt t;...'f.{%V:";.;n}4"::r""'i":'.i;""r:C"i:" ".. ".VflflA~fl .vW:.%S".J:S ",. ...v;. iti:" Y ." {:L' r:{; ;.r {. .:t: , ;". Jv s .;v.} :::}{ ,," a v": ''r": .. ;S:r.y?,". .: .. ;{ " x;. t} ,r. .r.. ,.. \ :0'": .:1} 6 A The Daily welcomes letters from its readers. Bringing in letters on nersonal