4 - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 3, 1994 aIje £idiptgn&ti1g is oft a sm 'Or& 0 a Air& m m mmk M, I I iQAL ~ S ± 1i~QUOTEjr :g 420 Maynard Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan Jessie Hallady Editor in Chief Samuel Goodstein FlintWainess Editorial Page Editors Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of a majority of the Daily's editorial board. All other articles, letters, and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily. Ann Arbor is a nice place to live, especially com- ing from New York.' -Libertarian candidate for City Council David Friedman 7/NfA/6 foR CN6 RES5 -..... 'Il (~u*,~c FIoM ThE BC5rNd)~ ~ c , - 1 -et The state Legislature For the state senate, Smith is the clear choice hs fall, there has been a great deal of press I coverage of the 1994 midterm national elections. Polls, predictions and political com- mentary fill the airwaves and newspapers. In this media circus it is easy to lose sight of the smaller races, elections at the state and local level. In fact, these lower level government officials have far more effect on our day to day lives than do national senators and representa- tives. The race for Michigan 18th district state senate seat has not been highly publicized. Many students may have only seen a couple of roadside signs or an uninformative mailer. However, the position is probably more im- portant for University students than that of the highly publicized national senate race. AlmaWheeler Smith is running, as aDemo- crat, against Republican small businessman Joe Mikulec. The choice could not be more clear. Smith is running on her knowledge of the issues and comprehensive solutions to Michigan's problems. Mikulec's campaign is based on little more then rhetoric and decep- tive advertising. As far as University students are concerned, he has been a veritable ghost candidate. He has cancelled appearances at University functions, failed to show up at a scheduled interview with the Daily and done almost nothing to reach out to students. Smith, on the other hand, has been very accessible, attending several functions and giving ample time to explain her ideas and positions to the Daily and students at large. Smith has a very realistic view of govern- ment policy. She believes that the state government's overall role is to produce goals and objectives, leaving it up to local commu- nities to fulfill them. Her realistic attitude carries over into her opinions on individual issues. On this election's hot issue, crime, Smith realizes the necessity of tough action - but more important, she advocates intelligent ac- tion to go along with it. She would like to see community service-oriented punishments for first time nonviolent offenders instead of jail sentences - so that criminals can pay society back in service instead of society paying for them. She disagreed with the recent "guns in schools" measure passed in Lansing that would expel children found carrying a weapon in school, because she thought it did little for the betterment of our state's children. She feels it was designed to keep "punks" out of school, not to help all of Michigan's children get ahead. Smith's education policies are also based on the idea of putting Michigan's children first. She supports choice in public schools within school districts and, depending on funding and transportation issues, may support choice be- tween districts as well. This choice allows parents and children to get the most out of the state education system and taxpayers to get the most out of their tax dollars. Smith also has intelligent opinions on envi- ronmental issues and strongly opposes Engler's recent cuts in the state's Department of Natural Resources. Shebelieves that thepolluters should pay for their mistakes. Area small businesses and individuals should not be made to pay for big business' mess. Smith is pro-choice, and although she says abortion is not something she would choose for herself it is important that every woman has the opportunity to make the difficult decision for herself. She also favors the right to die for terminally ill patients. Joe Mikulec, on the other hand, through his limited appearances in televised debates and interviews, has shown very little knowledge of the issues. He seems to be running on little more than lack of political experience, calling himself an "outsider." He is appealing to vot- ers' most base instincts through deceptive ad- vertisements painting Smith as a liberal, when her views show her to be very moderate. He has shown practically no interest in student con- cerns and has done little to gain student sup- port. Aside from one address to the College Republicans he has not spoken on campus or to students at all during his campaign. He has left students completely in the dark about how he would vote on issues important to the Univer- sity and to Michigan as a whole. He has ignored the University and does not deserve student support. Alma Wheeler Smith has overwhelmingly shown her knowledge of issues important to the University and to the state of Michigan. She is very open minded and willing to consider multiple options. Her bottom line has consis- tently been doing only what is in the best interest of Michigan residents: children, small businesses and individuals, not just big busi- ness and the rich. On November 8th we urge you to vote for ALMA WHEELER SMITH, Democrat for state senate. Men must stand up to rape To the Daily: In response to Dave Schroeder's letter of Monday Oct. 31st ("All men not ac- countable for all rapes), I find definite problems with Mr. Schroeder's logic and apathy toward a problem that is seri- ous, and growing more so. He claims that it is unfair to hold him, or any man accountable for rape just because he is a man. He goes on to say, "I will not accept blame for my inac- tion." I ask you Mr. Schroeder, who is accepting responsibil- ity for your inaction? Who is fighting against these crimes that your refuse to respond to? It is thousands of sexual as- sault victims and innocent women who are accepting the responsibility of your disinter- est and callous lack of con- cern. You say you, "work, study, live your own life, have your own triumphs, have your own problems ... you don't have much time to think about rape." Well, perhaps you should realize that there is a large segment of the popula- tion that has all of these prob- lems and affairs going on, just as you do, but they don't have the luxury of "not having time to think about rape." It is sadly a factor of life that women are now forced to face every time they must call a friend just to walk them home at night, or whenever they feel unable to take a simple walk around the neighborhood because it is unsafe. So not only are women the overwhelming majority of rape victims, they are also the victims of the psychological power that it holds over the community. While women are forced to protect themselves and much of the time deny themselves independence in a trade-offs for feeling "safe," man are still able to assert their autonomy, and feel relatively secure walking home when- ever they please, without the need of depending on another to give them that feeling. So Mr. Schroeder, while you claim rape is "not your problem be- cause your are a man," I won- der what kind of man are you, that can sit idly by and not feel the need to do all you can to stop this thing that wields its power over half of the popula- tion. Men need to step up and take responsibility forrape, not just because they are men, but because what is happening is To the Daily: The University Activities Center would like to thank the Michigan Daily for helping us identify ways in which we may better serve the University of Michigan community. How- ever, we respectfully disagree with the opinions presented in the editorial printed on Tues- day, Oct. 25th ("University activities?"). UAC believes that the editorial grossly un- derestimated the many valu- able programs we sponsor and thereby misrepresented our role in campus activities. Our umbrella includes 17 standing committees that offer a wide range of entertainment. These include, but are not limited to, mini-courses; College Bowl; the MUSKET, Comedy Com- pany and Impact dance per- forming arts shows; Amazin' Blue's annual concerts; M- Flicks' movies; Soundstage, Laughtrack and Eclipse Jazz's concerts; the Michigras and Homecoming celebrations; programs for underrepresented cultures sponsored by our Multicultural Programming Board; and even speakers spon- sored by Viewpoint Lectures. The editorial directed most of its criticism at the speakers we have (or have not) brought to campus, which may be valid. We would like to remind the "recent memory" of the editorial's author of the Meese / McGovern and Strossen / Gates debates we sponsored in 1993, as well as the speeches by Lonise Bias, Dave Pallone, and Dr. Betty Shabazz that we hosted in 1993. The reality is that students are largely un- willing to pay to see speakers' and their fees have escalated astronomically, even for those who have political agendas. The simple economics have made bringing them to campus difficult. We would also like to take particular issue with the editorial's reference to Home- coming. The Daily did not par- ticipate in any part of the Home- coming committee, and there- fore has no first hand knowl- edge of how its dynamics de- veloped. We question on what authority it based its claim that UAC is looking to "take all the credit" and how diligently the editorial's author pursued all sides of the story. Again, UAC is always in- terested in learning how we can better serve the University community. We are dedicated to the notion of continuous im- provement and welcome any further suggestions. Randy Schwemmin Engineering Senior President, University Activities Center Campaign '94 Like the know-it-all Rotisserie man of baseball George Will and the goggle-eyed establishmentaran@ David Broder I as your very own in- house prognosticator of prognostica- tors, will guide you through the mo- rass of political campaigns that have plagued us since Labor Day. Let's dabble in the horse race, if you will. Michigan: First of all, Howard "office hours" Wolpe and his side- kick Debbie Stabenow will get kiked back to Kalamazoo by Michigan'* own family man, new age Christne Todd Whitman Republican. Although Mr. Engler thinks it is should be legal for kiddies to play with semiauto- matic weapons and state tax dollars should go to the local St. Mark's private school, Engler will win easily next Tuesday, by at least 10 percent- age points. Engler's national aspira- tionsreachepic proportions and hope- of doing what the elder Romney could not, so tocelebrate he takes his family out to Bill Knapp and treats himself to some fine chocolate cake. On to the Carr-Abraham race for the open senate seat. Some polls show the pseudo-Democrat, card-carrying NRA member Carr and the morally centered Abraham to be neck and neck, and other polls show Carr be hind by as many as 12 points. Damn that Jon Coon. This race is essential if the Democrats are able to deny Bob Dole, and his contract with the dfefi- cit, control of the campaign reform- less Senate. Unfortunately, Carr has so farrun a lackluster campaign; only recently has he begun to point out that his opponent is not only out of touch with Michiganders, but also has cons structed a religious shrine to J. Danforth Quayle in his living room. Make up yourmind, Mr. Abraham. Is it Spenceor Spencer? You say Spene, the papers say Spencer. I can't make an informed decision until I know. My prediction: sadly, Abraham by a slim, very slim margin. An ode to Lana. Othercrucial races across thelandg Texas: The elder Bush son will win the Governor's race, over-the witty, silver-haired, bad ass Ann Richards-again by a slim, but solid majority. Ex-cheerleader Kay Bailey wins with ease, adding to the attrc- tiveness quotient in the flabby-legged Senate. Florida: Lawton's the man - soft-spoken, DLC-type Democrat who kicked Clinton's policy toward both Cuba and Haiti in gear. Lawton by a couple points over Jeb, who would prefer to turn all of the Sun- shine State into amaze of prisons and bible study courses. After defeat, Jeb and his family move to Houston, to mourn with dad and the cast of Satur- day Night Live. Bar consoles him. California: A biggie. A bellweatherof things to come. A most important state for Democrats, since with its 52 electoral votes, to win or lose California in '96 spells cham- pagne with the Thomases or Al Gore in a drunken stuporandJamesCarville shouting obscenities. Thanks to the never-say-die nanny issue, Rick Riordan and Huffington's own card- board cutout personality, Dianne* Feinstein seems poised to retain her Senate seat and beat back Mr. Huffington's inane millionaire boys club challenge. Huffington promises that if won, he would fling spitballs at the pro-tempore every time she at- tempts to call a quorum question, thereby shutting down the Congress. And Gov. Pete "I'm tougher than you" Wilson has devastated his Democratic opponent by claiming that while he owns 20 military-style assault weapons and some claymore mines, Kathleen Brown - a diieci descendent of Moonbeam - oniy carries on her a machete and a sinipe pistol. But her boy was mugged! Virginia: Here's an unpopula choice, but action figure Ollie North will be the first convicted felon to Ie elected to the Senate. Since fighting communists in Latin America is-a whole lot more popular and gung ho than cheating on your wife, Ollie turns back the President's new-found friend ChckRAhb Algn nalls aross Brater; Schroer best choices in state House n Michigan's 53rd state House district, vot- ers should return Democrat LIZ BRATER to elected office. Brater, a former Ann Arbor Mayor, would be a fine advocate of the Uni- versity and its student body and would work hard to improve educational issues in Michi- gan. Brater recognizes that the University is the flagship school in Michigan and, there- fore, is entitled to a special status in the state's budget. Also, Braterfavors restoringthe Michi- gan Educational Trust program. Renewing this program would allow Michigan families to pay the future tuition for their children's higher education at the rate of the year they pay. This program is beneficial for the state, allowing it to retain more of its students at in- state institutions, and beneficial for families who can save a lot of money by prepaying for their children's higher education. Brater also stresses the need to better deal with crime prevention by mandating tougher sentences and funding crime prevention pro- grams. Overall, Brater's knowledge of her constituency and ideas for reform make her the best choice for Michigan's next Represen- Schroer should be reelected to her seat. Over the past two years, Schroer has proven herself to be accessible to students and an advocate for them. Schroer also has a daughter attending the University of Wisconsin and is continuously reminded of the needs of college students. Her ideas to continue improving Michigan's edu- cational system are very commendable. Schroer opposes unjustified outrageous yearly tuition hikes and favors expanding the definition of an independent student, so more needy students can receive adequate financial aid independent of their parents' income. With regard to decreasing crime, Schroer supports funding prevention programs, pass- ing truth-in-sentencing laws, and increasing community policing efforts, like Ann Arbor's foot patrol and bicycle officers. Schroer is also pro-choice, and is an important vote against restrictive abortion measures. Finally, Schroer's experience as a state representative and as a former aide to Lana Pollack are assets which better allow her to pass legislation favorable to Ann Arbor, the University and the student body. On election i Monforton: Christie is wrong choice To the Daily: While I've been out cam- paigning for reelection to my county commissioner seat, the 11th District, comprised of campus and downtown, I've been impressed with students' general interest in broad issues, such as homelessness, environ- mental protection, health care andreproductive freedom. I was elected in 1992 on these issues, and have a record of advocacy and accomplishment on them over the last two years. I find it interesting that my opponent, Republican Mike Christie, has made his status as a student the sole focus of his campaign. I've found that my constituents are not monolithic, go beyond simple labels and want to hear what a candidate stands for. He ignores this and insults the voters with his lack of respect for their intelligence. Why doesn't he talk about the issues we deal with at the county? Why doesn't he pro- congressional candidate who is anti-choice, against separa- tion of church and state, against the assault weapons ban, and in favorof a thoughtless GOP plat- form that would give more tax breaks to the wealthiest people and corporations, increase wasteful defense spending, and continue disastrous Reagan- Bush policies that would drive the budget deficit and national debt up, rather than down as the Democrats have done over the past two years. My oppo- nent supports this candidate and these policies. I trust my student constitu- ents to think, and not to blindly follow like sheep. Too bad my opponent doesn't share my view. Dave Monforton County Commissioner, Democrat, District 11 Columnist errs in calendar count To the Daily: