4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, May 31, 1995 420 Maynard Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan RONNIE GLASSBERG Editor in Chief ADRIENNE JANNEY JOEL F. KNUTSON Editorial Page Editors 4 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 Daily's editorial board. ithin academia, the behavioral sciences and economics have often labored un- der an inferiority complex. Sans direct links to defense and industry, research grants, fel- lowships, and money for new facilities is frequently hard to come by, and researchers often scrounge for funds. Over the years, the National Science Foundation has remained one of the few reliable sources for important researchinthe behavioralandsocialsciences.Ifthe Republicansin Congresshave their way,however, this one holdout may soon vanish as well. In a statement last week, House science sub- committee chairman Robert Walker proposed cutting NSF funding for the behavioral sci- ences and economics out of the budget entirely. NSF had "wandered into" these fields only in recent years, he claimed, in an attempt to be "politically correct." As one of the largest recipients of federal money for social science research, departments at the University would be one of the biggest losers under the plan; fellowships for graduate students would be lost, as well as research grants for groups such as the Institute for Social Research. Walker's misinformed comments are al- most as appalling as the proposed funding cut itself. As American Psychological Society Executive Director Alan Kraut pointed out in The struggle for funding Pure sciences vs. behavioral and social research a letter to Walker, the behavioral sciences and economics have been seen as "central to (NSF's) mission ... almost from the begin- ning." NSF's Deputy Director is a psycholo- gist, and in 1981 Republican House Rep. Margaret Heckler strongly supported con- tinuing funding for the area, arguing that "the need for continuing the behavioral and social assessment of human productivity and the human question related to high technology has to be one of the major (NSF) priorities." Political correctness had little to do with past decisions to fund these areas of research. And not only is much social science and eco- nomic research politically neutral, but much of it falls more on the conservative side of the political fence. The Chicago School of Eco- nomics trumpets free enterprise and trickle- down economics loudly enough to rival any of Reagan's advisers, and some psychological re- search has lead to books as un- PC as "The Bell Curve." Walker has suggested that the NSF concen- trate more on basic research in the physical sciences, supposedly because these areas are not recent additions or politically correct. However, it must be remembered that all of the sciences, no matter how "pure," are affectedby humanjudgmentandpolitics. Whichquestions are considered important in science are often determined by defense concerns. Medical re- searchoftenlaborsundersimilarrealities: While money poured into the Centers for Disease Control when a virus took down several mem- bers of the American Legion, money for AIDS research was extremely hard to come by in the early years because it was considered a "gay disease." More importantly, the behavioral sciences and economics address questions important to the nations' economic situation and mental health. It is impossible to list the many accom- plishments of researchers in these areas sociologists and economists help governments make policy, psychologists help people cover from mental illnesses and become bette parents and marriage partners, and political scientists shape the structure of government and its goals. Research in these areas fosters understanding of the human species and the complex social world in which humans live - and if book sales and enrollment in university courses are any indication, people are listening. In addition, cutting funding for the behav- ioral science and economics is like throwing a life jacket overboard to lighten the load on 4 cruise ship: it makes up so little of the money allocated to NSF that it will do virtually nothing to balance the budget. Behavioral sciences and economics are inexpensive sci- ences. For the most part, researchers in these fields do not require expensive equipment or large spaces to do their work. Walker's proposal is not politically incor- rect in the usual sense, but it is undoubtedly politically wrong, relying on false informatic4 to cut funding to important areas of research that desperately need the help and support of the National Science Foundation. Hot dogs and jewelry Sidewalk vendors add to the aura ofAnn Arbor e Biener's Wieners hot dog carts have guage printed on the sidewalk-variety T-shirt been a part of the Ann Arbor landscape for they are clearly not quite what you would fin many years, providing tasty nourishment for inside Ulrich's. hungry students. The carts have become mov- The competition here is the sign of a health ing landmarks - one unique element that free market, and it is unfortunate that stor makes Ann Arbor a special city. Last year, owners want the city of Ann Arbor to crac competition appeared on the scene in the form down on street vendors. Their concern for prof ofNot Dogs, avegetarian alternative toBiener's is understandable, but their tactics quell fre beef franks. dom of enterprise. The growing numbersc In fact, there have been quite a few indepen- pushcart vendors are anet benefit to the busines dent entrepreneurs on the streets of the city and cultural atmosphere of our city. selling everything from African-style clothing It is also important to remember that peop] to postcards. They help create an open-market like Christopher Lauckner, who can usually b atmosphere in a city that is still peopled with found selling his postcards on State Street, hav pedestrians and the merchants are clean, cour- an absolute right to go into business for them teous and honest. selves. For a civic government to restrict hima They have also drawn the ire of some local the behest of competing merchants would b stores, who fear free-marketcompetition. Store wholly unfair. Furthermore, it is dangerous fo owners criticize the city permit policy that the merchants even to ask. The store merchan requests, but does not require, that street ven- advocate a trend of favoring one kind of bus: dors gain the signature of the owner of the store ness over another --the larger over the smaller behindtheir booth. The vendorshave freerange Lauckner, like the people who operate h within reasonable limits. dog carts, earring stands and nick-nack booth Owners claim the city can not investigate on our streets, should be credited for his entei the pushcart vendors well enough to prevent prise - not maligned. Given the resource unfair competition. Businessownershave cited available to many people, peddling on the stree a sidewalk jewelry stand at South and East is more sensible than attempting to capitalize University as a case of a vendor hurting the storefront business. business of an established store -in this case, The city and the University are a uniqu the Earport on South University. Cava Java combination, and there is not even a reasonabl owner Kent Whitman also pointed to T-shirt facsimile of the Ann Arbor atmosphere any vendors stationed in front of Uhrich's book- where in Michigan. Pushcarts are a small bu store, which sells its own T-shirts. valuable part of that atmosphere. The bazaa But so do many other stores. In fact, a short must remain in open and lively exchange o walk would lead to dozens of other merchants sights, sounds and flavors. hawking T-shirts in direct competition with To that end, the merchants need to let th Ulrich's. However, having seen the daring lan- pushcart vendors go about their business. s, ad by ire *k it e- of ss 1e be ve n- at e or its >i- r. ot is r- Is et a ze 1e Y- at ar fA to Smoke and mirrors Supreme Court recognizes fallaCy of term limits critical point has been reached in the fight Returning incumbents to office yet supportir4 ver term limits. Last week, the Supreme limited terms reveals an obvious contradiction Court ruled that states could not add qualifica- -however, voters have the constitutionalright tion requirements beyond constitutional stan- to vote for the representatives of their choice. dards in electing officials for Congress. Term Eliminating this right is a sorely misguided limitsencroachonconstitutionalrightsby regu- solution to out-of-touch legislators. Backers lating the length of time members of Congress claim that elected officials are more responsive are able to serve in office, thus hindering voters' to their constituents and end political excess. rights to choose their own representation. This Unfortunately, termlimitsignore the paramount decision ensures that states no longer can set value of legislative experience. New members their own laws in direct conflict with federal learn from and are advised by colleagues wh voting rights. have long experience in the process of national According to theory, termlimits would limit law-making. Enforcing term limits, in essence the role of special interests in Congress and put outlawing the system of seniority.and commit- the power back in the hands of the people. tees, would deprive new members of valuable However, in reality it would accomplish neither advice from their colleagues. of these goals. Term limits are a slap in the face Moreover, a newcomer Congress cannot of the American electorate - they condescend possibly accomplish as much as aveteran. Espe- to the public as if it consists of ignorant chil- cially in Congress, the hierarchy of the commit- dren. The idea presumes that voters cannot be tee structure gives benefit to wisdom, experi- trusted to choose the best candidate for their ence and compromise. Term limits also force interests. additional weight onlobbyists, as current blamc. Termlimits are aimed at elections in which the-politician sentiment leaves their broad pow- greater than 90 percent of incumbents are ers unchecked. Bureaucrats assume more power elected. Yetthey ignore the lessons of 1992 and while still remaining beyond the reach of the 1994, in which almostentire classes were elected American populace. Special interest groups to Congress without the aid of term limits. would gain enormous additional influence, as When elected officials fail to meet expecta- politicians could be using Congress as a step- tions, they are voted out of office - and that is ping-stone to their nextjob. Accountability with- the only term limit that this country needs. The out re-election hanging over heads would be problem lies in the fact that a member of Con- reduced to zero. gress who serves his or her district or state well In the end, politicians are beholden to thg may not be perceived as acting on the best same problems as before - and then some if interests of the country, or more importantly, the term limits were allowed. Admittedly, the sys- district's interests. As a result of these percep- tem needs reform. But in the end, it is far better tions legislation has been irrational and reac- to have career politicians than casual politi- tionary, aimed at influencing other elections. cians.