4 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, November 5, 1996

b £irhi gw Egilg

420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan

RONNIE GLASSBERG
Editor in Chief
ADRIENNE JANNEY
ZACHARY M. RAIMI
Editorial Page Editors

Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Daily's editorial board. All
other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
FROM THE DAILY
The bi
Whiat's on the ballot?

NOTABLE QUOTABLE,
'It's the place to be - the Michigan-Michigan State
game, Ann Arbor. There's just no other place
in Michigan to be today.'
- US. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), discussing
his excitement at Saturday 'football game.
YUKI KUNIYUKI GROUND ZERO
LErTERS TO THE EDITOR

State proposals
Proposal A: Watch out for tricky word-
ing. Michigan has a ban against using bingo
proceeds to fund campaigns. This proposal,
if passed, would uphold the ban - a no vote
would lift the ban. The proposal would keep
the change in definition of an organization
permitted to sponsor bingo so that church-
es, for example, may continue, but political
entities may not begin to practice.
A "yes" on this ballot question would
help keep campaign finance in line. Vote
YES on Proposal A.
Proposal B: Currently, judges must be
lawyers under 70 years of age to take office.
Proposal B would add on a prerequisite five
years experience. The state doesn't need
judges fresh out of law school. Vote YES on
Proposal B.
Proposal C: Ever heard of robbing Peter
to pay Paul? Proposal C would prevent the
state from raiding the Veteran's Trust Fund
to cover general funds. The proposal would
establish the fund as its own, and ensure
that the trust monies go to veterans and
their families. Vote YES on Proposal C.
Proposal D: This proposal would add
restrictions to bear hunting - but the
Exercise your'
vote is mighty. Many Americans dis-
count the power of their vote and fail
to participate in local, state and national
elections - but they should not.
The state of Michigan is representative
of national voter turnout averages, with
only 60 percent of the population casting
ballots. As a result, the University commu-
nity is in prime position to articulate its
preferences in today's elections.
A number of issues affecting University

restrictions would be imposed from outside
of the Department of Natural Resources,
which handles all other hunting regulations.
Political commercials framed the issue as
humans versus bears - but it's really about
who has control over hunting regulations.
Vote NO on proposal D.
Proposal G: More bears, so bear with ...
The proposal regards the management of
wildlife populations in Michigan - basi-
cally, it delegates the responsibility to the
Natural Resource Commission, a part of the
DNR. Good plan. Vote YES on proposal G.
Proposal E: This proposal would change
current regulations to allow gambling in
"qualifying" cities - and the only city that
would qualify is Detroit. However, Detroit
should look for other sources of revenue.
Vote NO on proposal E.
County and City Proposals
The county proposal would prohibit
hunting in Ann Arbor's backyard -
Washtenaw County. Vote YES on the coun-
ty proposal.
The city proposal would continue a mill-
age for road construction that ended in
1996. Driving in Ann Arbor is difficult
enough. Vote YES on the city proposal.
write' to choose
students are up in the air today. Choosing
one presidential candidate or the other will
determine the future of student loans, finan-
cial aid and social policy. Making decisions
about the state and federal House of
Representatives, the Senate and University
Board of Regents will make a difference.
No matter how far-removed these offices
may seem, their policies hit close to home.
Take responsibility for the future. Make
a decision. Vote today.

Re-elect Mackie for prosecutor

W ith so much partisan politics this
time of year, it's easy to let the coun-
ty servants slip by - but the incumbent
Washtenaw County Prosecutor should not
be overlooked. Re-elect Democrat Brian
Mackie for prosecutor.
Last year, Ann Arbor found its serial
rapist. Mackie did an excellent job prose-
cuting the case. His track record shows a

dedication to his constituents. Mackie does
his job thoroughly, using community
resources to the fullest.
Moreover, he works well within his job
description. His office runs efficiently and
Mackie understands his role well. He also
has proven that he is accessible to the com-
munity.
Remember to vote for Mackie.

Schmitt will
work to help
'U' students
To THE DAILY:
Chris Schmitt is the better
candidate in the race for
Michigan's 53rd state House
district - better for
Michigan, better for Ann
Arbor, better for the
University. The Daily's
endorsement of his opponent
proves the willingness of the
editorial board of the Daily to
put party preferences above
good policy ("Vote Schroer,
Brater," 10/31/96).
The Daily writers clearly
show their close-mindedness
when they accuse Schmitt of
being "confused about his
party identification." Yes,
Schmitt is pro-choice and
against anti-gay legislation.
He is also for a more respon-
sive and efficient state gov-
ernment. His views are simi-
lar to other prominent
Republicans (Colin Powell,
William Weld, Christine
Whitman, etc.), none of
whom are confused about
their partisan identification.
Unlike his opponent,
Schmitt is a graduate of the
University, as were both his
parents. He is committed to
providing students and the
entire University with a
sound, a strong voice in
Lansing. His positions on the
issues are simply better for
advancement of the
University community.
For example, the loss of a
highly qualified, internal can-
didate for the University
president highlights the need
for reforming the search
process for administrative
positions at the University.
Chris believes in reforming
this system - his opponent
does not. In fact, on a variety
of issues, his opponent has
been inclined to play political
favorites at the expense of the
University community.
Schmitt is the better can-
didate to advance education
and the economy. He has
shown a commitment to
cooperation in an attempt to
make government more
responsive and more effi-
cient. He believes we can
create better jobs and a more
sound economy in the state
of Michigan.
His opponent has had her
chance to make a difference
in Lansing, and she has
failed. Unlike in an under-
graduate course, you should-
n't get another term to
improve your grade in
Lansing. It's time we send
better ideas and better leader-
ship to Lansing - vote for
Chris Schmitt.
MICHAEL J. HORVATH
UNIVERSITY STAFF

and say "Hi" anyway. This is
by far not the worst thing
thing about a small town. It is
a refreshing change from a
university where if someone
makes eye contact with you
as you walk along, they
quickly look away and walk
faster.
Her attempt at humor is
funny at times, but the col-
umn only serves to perpetu-
ate the myth that every small
town in Michigan is a racist,
Republican cesspool of
idiots. I am from the small
town of Chesaning (so small
we're not even officially a
town, but a "village"), and
the people there, especially
young people, look to
embrace all kinds of people.
Yes, there were only about
four black people (I can't
remember the exact number
because it wasn't a big deal)
in my graduating class of
164, but they were treated no
differently than the rest of us.
Secondly, my small town
is content to be a small town
because if it weren't, where
would all the tourists come
from? The McDonald's in
Chesaning had to be built
outside village limits so that
it would not detract from the
old-world charm of down-
town. The nearest movie the-
ater is 30 minutes away, and
the nearest mall 45. I relate
to many of the things Marsh
wrote (traffic?), but I also
think that the University
community needs to be
reminded that Small Town
Michigan is typically a
friendly, warm community.
If you don't believe me,
visit Chesaning. It's a pretty
nice place.
BRANDI L. WEAVER
LSA SENIOR
Responsibility
must go
hand-in-hand
with drinking
TO THE DAILY:
I am writing this letter in
response to the article that
was written about James
Lasser's "idiotic cartoon" that
was put in The Michigan
Daily ("Lasser's cartoon 'idi-
otic,"' 1030/96).
Perhaps the incident that
happened at Theta Chi's
should be taken seriously. It
was not a joke.
But first: Wilson's state-
ment that the leadership on
this campus needs to "put
down the bottle" and find
alternative ways to have fun
is too typical of the way our
society thinks today.
The last time I checked,
one of the admission require-
ments to get into the
University was that you had
to graduate from high school,

to us must be somebody
else's fault. If I don't have a
job it's the government's
fault. If I don't watch where I
walk and I slip and fall, it's
the fault of the establishment
that I am in. If I get drunk at
a bar or a party and hurt
myself, it must be the fault of
the bar or fraternity.
This way of thinking is
wrong and if somebody hurts
themselves at a bar or a party
because they have been
drinking too much then it
should be nobody else's fault
but their own. I am a fraterni-
ty member myself and it
makes me sick that even
though I know my own limits
and I am a responsible
drinker, my ability to have a
good time in the manner that
I choose in my own house is
limited because some indi-
viduals don't feel that people
shouldn't have to take
responsibility for their own
actions.
I don't really appreciate
the value judgement that was
made about how other people
choose to spend their free
time and I say if you can't
handle drinking, then don't
do it.
DAMON KITERMAN
LSA FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT
Kolb is better
choice for
city mayor
TO THE DAILY:
As a former liaison
between the Michigan
Student Assembly and the
city of Ann Arbor, I have had
an excellent opportunity to
observe both the candidates
running for mayor of Ann
Arbor.
Both the incumbent,
Ingrid Sheldon, and her chal-
lenger, Christopher Kolb, are
sensible moderates who have
tried to bridge the partisan
divide on the council.
While Sheldon has done
an excellent job in trying to
reach out to students, I think
every student should give
serious consideration to vot-
ing for her Democratic oppo-
nent. Christopher Kolb, a
fairly recent University grad-
uate is more in tune with
what it is like to be a
University student and what
it is we are looking for in a
mayor.
He is committed to
expanding opportunities for
students to become involved
with the city, particularly in
community services. He is
also a fierce advocate for the
city's innovative recycling
program.
Both candidates running
are excellent and are trying
hard to earn the student vote.
Please return the favor by

GRAND ILLUSION
Clinton IIT The
"Vision thing"
ince the day after the Democrats'
disastrous showing in the 1994
elections, President Clinton has known
that a move to the middle was his best,
and probably only, hope for re-elec-
tion. Since that day, the president h
essentially been a moderate
Republican - one
of the only in
Washington -
turning his back
on the Democrats'
traditional base
time and again.
But after disman-
tling the welfare
state, trampling on
civil liberties and
running a centrist
campaign with the SAMUEL
vision of a candi GOODSTEIN
date for the school
board - with major campaign ideas
including school uniforms, preventing
teenage smoking, ensuring all third
graders can read and more wholesome
television for children - the president
will win today, and can finally lo
beyond the next election.
The aftermath of triangulation
remains the most important unan-
swered question of this campaign.
After masterfully redefining himself
yet again, how will Clinton act out the
final scene of his political drama? One
can hardly be sure. But is is clear that
Clinton appreciates history and wants
to be remembered as a great president,
one who make a lasting difference.
The following issues will arise in h
second term, issues Where vision and a
sense of history must supersede stan-
dard political calculations.
Entitlement Reform: Without seri-
ous entitlement reform, any plan to
balance the budget is a joke. Congress
and the president might agree to slash
every program under the sun, but with-
out a change in the basic financing of
Social Security and Medicare, the fed-
eral government will approach ban
ruptcy by the year 2036. That may
seem like a long time off, but the soon-
er a solution is put together, the less
painful it will be. Without facing the
pressures of re-election, the president
has a golden opportunity to cut off the
entitlement crisis before it really hits
- a bipartisan, blue ribbon commis-
sion could give both the president and
Congress the political cover necessary
to act. Clinton can either be the pres
dent that steered the nation clear o
fiscal disaster, or a president of whom
historians will one day question: Why
didn't he do something?
Foreign Policy: Clinton began his
term as commander-in-chief with a
string of strategic miscalculations,
most importantly in Somalia and
Bosnia. With a combination of posi-
tive events over which he had little
control (now-fragile Middle Ea
peace, Russian stability and a down-
turn in terrorism) and some good
diplomatic work, (most apparent in the
Bosnian peace accords, the restoration
of democracy in Haiti and the aversion
of war in Korea) Clinton has turned his
record around. Unfortunately, the
world is about to become a much ugli-
er place. Peace in the Middle East is
deteriorating by the day, Russia faces
the prospects of a destabilizing transi-
tion of power, all sides in Bosnia adn
that renewed fighting is a distinct pos-
sibility after NATO troops withdraw

and - perhaps most important - U.S.
relations with China are tenuous. If the
president can drive Benjamin
Netanyahu back to the table, ensure
that NATO troops and resources remain
in Bosnia as long as necessary and
engage China in a real dialogue over the
future relations of the two countries, hi-
torians will view his foreign policy.
successful. If not, history will be a very
harsh judge.
Campaign Finance Reform: The
electorate overwhelmingly supports an
overhaul of campaign finance laws.
Public funding of presidential cam-
paigns has been a success, and a simi-
lar model should be adopted for
Congressional elections - this would
reduce corruption, the power of soft
money, the influence of special int4
est groups, and most important, would
allow candidates to focus more on the
campaign and less on fundraising. The
political mood is ripe for swift action
- again, a bipartisan commission
could make recommendations that
would give the president and a
Republican Congress cover for action.
Economic transition to the informa-
tion age: Despite the hoopla over l
million new jobs created, the fa
remains that wages are largely stag-
nant and families have to work harder
and longer to maintain a constant stan-
dard of living. The president can help
encourage, and soften, the transition to
the information age by initiating eco-

DAILY PICKS
U. S. President and Vice President
Democrats Bill Clinton and Al Gore
U. S. Senate
Carl Levin (D-Mich.)
U. S. House
Lynn Rivers (D-Mich.)
Michigan House of Representatives
Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor)
Mary Schroer (D-Ann Arbor)
Ann Arbor Mayor
Republican Ingrid Sheldon
Washtenaw County Prosecutor
Brian Mackie (D-Ann Arbor)
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Olivia Maynard (D-Flint)
S. Martin Taylor (D-Grosse Pointe Farms)
State proposals A, B, C and G: YES
State proposal D and E: NO
County proposal
YES

Washtenaw

Community College Millage
YES

I 1