4 OPINION I, foge 4 Monday, November 3, 1986 The Michigan Daily A 4 4X] Edited and managed by students at The University of Michigan A revolution that works Vol. XCVII, No. 43 420 Maynard St. Ann ArborMI 48109 Unsigned editorials represent a majority of the Daily's Editorial Board , -I All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. - -Dean" ,THE BEST CANDIDATE to represent the Second Congressional District is Democratic challenger and :University economics graduate student Dean Baker. Baker is running against incumbent Carl Pursell (R-Mich). Rarely is an incumbent defeated; in Pursell's case, however, re- election is not justified. Pursell has been in office 10 years and can point to only two main areas of 'accomplishment: trying to reduce the federal budget deficit and acting as an advocate for the Midwest-specifically, working on opening up the St. Lawrence Seaway to larger ships. Pursell also argues that his seniority makes him more effective than Baker would be. Pursell's actual record indicates ineffectiveness. His opposition to the budget deficit is not particularly controversial; not only has he failed to reduce the deficit, but he has not established himself in a leadership role in his efforts to do so. It is disturbing that in 10 years of service there is no record of his offering significant suggestions or dissenting opinion in committee. Despite Pursell's support for President Reagan's military buildup, his efforts have not led to more defense money for Michigan. Rather than increase support being sent to the district, Pursell, in 5 his zest for deficit reduction, has ' actually cut it. As Baker has pointed out, Social Security, farm jsubsidies, and student loans are just a few of the programs which Pursell says he supports but can't spare the money for. In effect, Pursell uses public concern about the deficit to justify cutting social Fprograms while supporting astronomical growth in the military "budget. The military build-up has been so quick, that each year the jentagon fails to spend the money allotted to it. Gramm-Rudman Cdisguises real cuts in previously cut asocial programs with imaginary scuts in a military which is growing fat a rate that the Pentagon can't ~handle. Baker would find money for ,'social programs in the bloated f.defense budget which Pursell has ,consistently favored. Baker would ;fight the budget deficit not by **cutting those most in need, but by ,cutting loopholes for those best 4able to pay. As an economist, -Baker has the expertise to respond -effectively to the deficit. Pursell has moved increasingly .farther from moderation to the 0:Right. Though he initially spoke :out against the MX missile, he is know a staunch supporter of it. In '1986, he voted against an amendment that would have :reduced spending on the Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars") E.research by $2 billion. And although his stand against chemical B aker By Sue VanHattum The wars in Central America, in which the United States plays a substantial role, have been completely misrepresented by the Reagan administration. Their "disinformation" has been a major source for most media reports on the area. The national Pledge of Resistance, which provides information on events in Central America, has put together a campaign at the local level - called Stop the Lies About Central America - to counter this misinformation, which is active through 200 local affiliates across the United States. In this area, the campaign has taken the form of a project to educate the local media (and through them the public) on this issue and its importance in this election. We took special notice, therefore, of James Lin's letter to the Daily ("Balance of power justifies Contra aid," 10/30/86) in support of aiding the Contras (and chiding the Daily for its alleged lack of, "objectivity"). It is full of the lies, half- truths, and spurious arguments we are working so hard to expose. He claims to "understand the complexities of international relations," yet bases most of his argument on the false notion of a Soviet threat in the region. This attitude relegates the hopes and struggles of millions of Latin Americans to a footnote in a constant U.S.-Soviet struggle for world domination. (Lin: "Nicaragua, El Salvador,.... have become theaters for U.S.-Soviet proxy fighting.") I lived and worked in Nicaragua for two months this summer, and know well the pride Nicaraguans feel at finally, for the first time in their history, being in control of their own government. They are not Soviet proxies, and would find this attitude an insult to their newfound dignity. This notion of a Soviet (or Cuban or Nicaraguan) threat in the region is a widespread misconception based on the naive idea that the whole world is made VanHattum, a computer instructor at Washtenaw Community College, taught computer classes in Nicaragua this summer. up of "us" and "them." Much of the world is truly non-aligned, seeing both of the superpowers as forces that must be reckoned with, and balanced against each other when possible. Lin, and other apologists for U.S. foreign policy, allege Soviet intervention in Central America, but: the United States has military bases there - the Soviet Union does not; the United States conducts regular and extensive war games there- the Soviet Union does not; the United States has used military force there 33 times in this century - the Soviet Union never has. Lin alleges "Nicaraguan arms shipments to rebels in El Salvador." But David MacMichael, a former analyst for the CIA whose job was to prove exactly that, said: "There has not been a verified report of arms moving from Nicaragua to El Salvador since April, 1981 . . . The adminstration and the CIA have systematically misrepresented Nicaraguan involvement in the supply of arms to Salvadoran guerrillas to justify U.S. efforts to overthrow the Nicaraguan government." (New York Times, 6/11/84) It seems that the current administration fabricates "facts" whenever that is convenient. Wayne Smith, of the State Department's Cuba section, on a major Administration White Paper on the Soviet threat: "Some of the documents turned out to be forgeries. Others were of such vague origin as to be worthless. None of the documents linked the U.S.S.R. to the supply of guerrilla forces in El Salvador or demonstrated that the violence there was a case of external aggression rather than an internal conflict."(Foriegn Policy, Fall,1982) Lin mentions Soviet aid and Cuban advisors in Nicaragua.aBut aidand volunteer assistance have come. in from all over the world to help this poor country in its ambitious health and education projects, and to help it survive the war being waged by the United States through the Contras. While in Nicaragua, I met volunteer brigades from Spain, Holland, and the United States (among others) who were building health care facilities and housing projects. No one in Nicaragua wants to see these improvements destroyed by the Contras; it's no surprise then that Nicaragua signed arms agreements with France (for airplanes) and Holland (for equipment to protect the harbor at Bluefields). These countries backed out under severe pressure from the United States, and so most of Nicaragua's defense is supplied by the Soviets. The revolutions that have happened in Central America are home-grown - the will of the people - as ours was in 1776. The Cubans and Nicaraguans have turned to the Soviets only after the United States began to wage war on their countries. The turn toward socialism in these countries is prompted by their, understanding that an economic system based on capitalism benefits U.S. corporations while hindering their own development. None of these countries has uncritically adopted the whole Soviet system; they have taken parts of each system (60 percent of the Nicaraguan economy is in private hands), attempting to create an economic system that will be right for them. The most substantial aid Nicaragua gives to the rebels in El Salvador isby being a model. Salvadorans see that a repressive government can be overthrown, that the people can create a government in their own interests, and that it can survive. In countries thoughout Latin America -people are imprisoned, tortured, and killed for peacefully standing up for their rights. Nicaragua gives them hope. Just as the United States revolution inspired the French revolution (for Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity), so the Nicaraguan revolution ("Patria Libre o Morrir") may inspire others. . That Nicaragua represents a Soviet threat in Central America is only one of many misconceptions in Lin's letter; the others include confusions over which governments in Central America are democratic, and which abuse human rights. For more information on Pledge of Resistance or the Stop the Lies campaign, call 747-9850 or LASC, 665- 8438. Congressional candidate Dean Baker weapons has been consistent, Pursell's changing votes on key issues is disappointing. Baker's personal involvement transcends local peace actions to world politics. As he has demonstrated in the Second District, Baker sympathizes with the farmers and the poor in, Nicaragua. He argues against American taxpayers' money supporting the Contras, who attack food production and farming cooperatives while fighting to' overthrow a popularly elected government. Pursell's unfamiliarity with Central American issues has led him to put his faith in the Reagan administration. Now Pursell argues that a $100 million aid package for the Contras is necessary to combat what he describes as the militarily aggressive and domestically repressive Sandinista government. In fact, as Baker says, the Contras, not the Sandinistas, are the ones to worry about. The arguments against Baker have been that he is a single-issue candidate without the experience to be a Congressman. In reality, Baker has campaigned on a wide variety of issues and articulately and persuasively refuted Pursell's positions. Baker may be young- aged 28-but his understanding of the issues and the needs of the district is far more advanced than Pursell's. While Baker has run an issue- oriented campaign emphasizing direct contact with the voters through door-to-door canvassing, Pursell has responded by attacking Baker's endorsement by the Democratic Socialists of America. That the DSA typically endorses progressive Democrats is overlooked. Such tactics reflect an intolerant attitude, one that is incongruous with the free flow of ideas and information which are at the heart of democracy and the University community. Though Baker has been clear about his stands throughout the campaign despite cheap shots directed against him, Pursell's perspective remains unclear. Some call him a moderate, others a conservative. Perhaps the best label would be ineffective. - m Wasserman I "T ETAX RC-FVM FI~LL RASES COPoRATE TAX~ES y *i 1LL1 ON' FORQ THAT IN Ii N1ISUREP P~\w S? So W5 SREALLY PA TAX( IVF- CDLLEc.W.D BY FUSINESSES - PR1VATtZATi1N! cU __ pi LETTERS- Baker To the Daily: Its getting a little thick around here. The Baker-Pursell contest has afforded a limited group of radical statists extra- ordinary access to the politics of the Second Congressional District. Normally, these radicals are restricted to the Diag or Rackham Student Government where they can be effectively ignored. But now, the distortions propagated by this faction need to be addressed. Baker (Second District Democratic challenger) claims that Pursell (R-Second District) does not represent the wishes of this district. This is a fascinating charge leveled against a multi-term incumbent. What makes this charge even more interesting is that less than one year ago Baker's cohorts did not know exactly where Jackson is or how to get to Plymouth. Dean Baker does not know the industry in the district, the history of the district or the people that inhabit this district. That Rlo.lr.r.wnii a. -v.nnrnn. a +1. campaign begin revitalizing a community in which I grew up. Baker has indicted Pursell for consistently cutting education and social programs for the benefit of military spending. Baker's attacks are outright distortions. As it turns out, he was talking primarily about Pursell's vote in favor of the Graham-Rudman-Hollings deficit reduction bill, the effect of which is on all government spending , including the military. Baker will then continue, in the same debate or interview, that Pursell's votes caused a burdensome deficit. He can't have it both ways! Baker can either denounce the deficit and recognize a congressman's good-faith efforts to alleviate it, or he can be in favor of deficits and admit so. Baker insists that the people of this district support his views when he speaks to them. This should surprise no one. After all, he has promised federal money to anyone who can breathe. He has promised increased Social Security Sn af ite -nrra r a a distorts issues since he won't be given the opportunity to vote for substantial reductions in the military budget. It is thus obvious why, although they do not admit it in public, Baker's campaigners haven't heard of a tax increase they don't like. It is the only way out for them. Short of that, lets hear no more talk of deficit spending from Baker. Baker claims that "all our best experts" think SDI is forever technologically infeasible. This incredible statement, if true, would indicate a unanimity in the physical and social sciences unheard of in history. While the relative merits of SDI are open to discussion, merely agreeing to Soviet demands for cancellation of SDI is indicative of the entire Baker platform which seems in favor of acceding unilaterally to five- year old Soviet negotiating positions. I don't agree with the Reagan administration arms-buildup any more than Baker. But I hope that our legislators will pursue policies for our armed forces that Never mind that foreign investments in this country reflect our strengths and that the debt is denominated in our currency. He will try to solve the trade deficit with domestic content legislation; although, how making Americans buy poorer products at higher prices will solve our trade problems I will never figure out. He may have taught Econ 201, but he wasn't listening. And who is running a smear campaign anyway? Pursell may have called Baker a socialist, but Baker started it by calling Pursell a baby-killer. I'd much rather see a political contest in which the opponents regard each other as honorable men who disagree on reasonable grounds. But theE Baker campaign has been demagogic and conducted without honor or honesty. But after all, these are tricks of the trade of all carpet-baggers. I think the best reason to voa for Pursell is to send a message to those who think that the rest of our district is a bunch of yokels that need to be led by .... .1 - 1, 1 -