4a
Opinion
Tuesday, September 19, 2000
For comments, contact Ben Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com
'Big Labor' is no cause for paranoia
My poor grandmother. One misguided contribution to Gary Bauer's presidential campaign and, suddenly, every far-right-wing freak writes her asking for money. One of the many crazed letters she recently received was from a legal fund, raising money to fight evil "Big Labor" in an upcoming federal court case.
The question of the case itself is interesting enough for us legal types: In addition to paying for regular expenses, can labor unions use money from membership dues to pay for political lobbying or supporting candidates who fight for their causes?
The question really doesn't matter to me all that much. Some unions give their
whether they want any of their dues to be used for political activities, and that seems like enough choice to me. What freaked me out about the fundraising letter sent to Grandma was how it attacked labor unions. Who knew organizations like the NEA (National Education Association) were insidious forces of vice trying to corrupt America's soul?
David
Grummon
columnist
conner@kansan.com
Apparently, anything big these days is bad.
Conservatives have long yelled about the evils of Big Government, while liberals yell about the evils of Big Business. I can see both sides — Government is powerful and has done bad things, and so have big corporations. I tend to yell more about the misdeeds of corporations, since I can always vote to fire the chumps in the government, or at least their bosses.
But fear of "Big Labor" really stumps me. Unions are just a bunch of workers, often blue-collar but sometimes professionals, who get tired of being kicked around, band together, and collectively bargain for things such as better pay, benefits or work conditions.
How this threatens me, much less my grandma, herself a former factory worker who now lives off Social Security checks, is beyond me. Then again, I'm not a CEO or stockholder.
During the Cold War, unions sounded vaguely communist to the rich and powerful, but that paranoia makes no sense today. Some unions used to be in the clutches of the Mafia, but strict governmental oversight makes that unlikely now
While governments and corporations have a lot of power and resources, a single worker really doesn't. The only way she can hope to confront the other "big" guys is to join others and together become something with influence and resources. The bigger unions are, the more clout ordinary workers have. And has our nation been the worse for it? Would we have the 40-hour work week, minimum wages, and a presumption that most workplaces won't kill us had it not been for the efforts of unions? Or were such gains, still lacking in so many countries today, just benevolent gifts from businesses? Of course not.
While we have some unions that sometimes seem a little ridiculous, most are good and have improved the lives of millions over the years. That being said, organized labor simply doesn't have the clout and power it once had. Unionized workers make up a smaller percentage of our work force now than they have in decades. With liberalized trade, business interests have far more pull in Washington, as they can move jobs or billions of dollars of investments out of any district and into other countries. Unions are much less of a worry now to whomever it was that seemed to feel threatened by them, least of all my poor grandmother.
Should Grandma be afraid of Big Labor and their devious plans to—what? Raise the minimum wage or ban the sweatshop conditions that made her polyester-cotton blend blouse? Of course not, and unless we're the head of a multinational corporation, neither should we.
Grummon is a Beloit second-year law student.
Seth Jones / KANSAN
THE NEXT DAY, JIM REALIZED HE SHOULD HAVE PUT IN HIS TWO-WEEK NOTICE AT THE SUICIDE HOTLINE
By the Numbers
73 Percentage of MBA students who say they would hire a competitor's employee to steal trade secrets
60 Percentage of convicted criminals who say they would do this
Source: Wall Street Journal
$2,240
Payroll of the Cuban all-star
team that defeated the
Orioles 12-6 on May 3
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune
20 Estimated number of bullets used by police to kill a bull running loose in New York City last June
41
Number of bullets police used to kill Amadou: Diallo outside his residence in New York City
Source: New York Times
Perspective
Vending machine prices leave students hungry
If I didn't spend $300 on books again this semester, I probably would, have more than just loose change in my pockets. That makes buying lunch difficult.
For the last two years I have settled for Grandma's fudge chocolate chip cookies and a soda to quench my lunchtime appetite three days a week; total cost: $1.45. Now, after the price increases in vending machines last week courtesy of the Treat America snack sharks, I guess Ull just have to starve
It's not like I haven't become used to starving though. At least twice a month, on average, the Treat America vending machines have made like a grade school recess bully and stolen my lunch money. Well, they haven't actually beaten me up — although I have beaten on the machines on a regular basis because of anger — the machines have taken my money without completing the transaction
I have actually put money in the machine and it has put across the "Thank You" message without even turning the wheel to try to give me my food. Understandably, my "You're Welcome" was a giant dent in the side of the machine, courtesy of my left foot.
Chris
Wristen
columnist
opinion@kansan.com
I know that machines are not perfect; sometimes they make mistakes and screw up. That's why Treat America has the yellow reimbursement slips for us to inform them when we have been robbed blindly by its machines. Unfortunately, on the rare occasion reimbursement slips
indicated by pushing F4 on the Stauffler-Flint Hall vending machine.
are actually there they are usually all filled out by billions of students who have already been ripped off by the machines. Last spring I called Treat America seven times during a three-week period in an effort to have the Stauffer-Flint machine either repaired, replaced or at least have more reimbursement slips added.
That number is 1-800-727-6092. Feel free to call and give a piece of your mind. Don't expect Treat America to listen, though. Not a single one of my calls was returned, nor were slips added until the machine needed to be restocked.
Before the University responds to Treat America's demands, the company needs to respond to students' needs. Perhaps my way of thinking is far too complicated for Treat America — which would be understandable, considering a simple task such as returning a phone call is extremely difficult — but the company needs to deliver its product to students hassle-free for an extended amount of time before it even thinks about increasing prices.
"The institution was responding to a request from Treat America to meet cost increase," he said.
David Mucci, director of the Kansas and Burge Unions, attempted to explain the cost increase.
Bill Griffith, Chicago junior, said it best: "If we're stupid enough to still buy the vending machine food, then we can't blame them for raising the price."
The solution to fighting the silverstealing price-raisers at Treat America is simple.
Translation: Don't buy the vending machine food ever.
Save your pocket-change and buy some of the fresh-off-the-floor appearing, but tasty, pizza at Wescoe Terrace.
Editorial
Wrister is a Leawood junior in journalism.
Students: Lend an ear to KJHK
KJHK's format changes offer valuable alternatives to music lovers.
Students who are disillusioned about recent format changes by local radio stations such as KLZR and KXTR should realize that an alternative exists with which to satisfy their musical desires: KJHK
Those tired of a Lazer dominated by bubble gum and infuriated that KXTR has forsaken its classical style should give the Sound Alternative a try.
As the student-run radio station at the University of Kansas, KJHK (90.7 FM) is free of ever-increasing demands to switch to boy bands and Britney. As a station for students by students, DJs can spin records from a wide variety of musical genres, from hip-hop to jazz to electronica.
KJHK has a specialty program for almost any musical taste. Requests for a wider spectrum of music have resulted in the addition of Breakfast for Beat Lovers, a morning program that offers hip hop, funk, reggae and soul tunes. Regular college rock and jazz rotations are supplemented by special programs such as Hilltop Lounge, an open forum for campus issues, and La Pocha, which highlights Latin music.
Other valuable KJHK broadcasts are distributed over the airwaves. Those who cannot make it to Memorial Stadium for games can hear the action on 90.7, and Plow the Fields features up and coming local music.
A national magazine article naming great radio stations in America called it "one of the most rocking front-line college radio stations in the country." It has also drawn acclaim for being the first station to feed its broadcast continuously over the Internet.
The KJHK staff goes to great lengths to reach its base, fellow University students, and it deserves support. For those who crave Top 40, the Lawrence radio waves offer plenty of options. However, for a vast assortment of programming, students should give KJHK a try.
Andy Miner for the editorial board
Free for All is the telephone public forum for the University Daily Kansan. Callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kansan reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Slanderous statements will not be printed. To read more, go to www.kansan.com.
I find it funny that the KU Pro-Choice Coalition is raising such a stink over the sexual assault case and how poorly the Athletics Department handled the situation when they promote one of the biggest social injustices: the horrible slaughter of millions of unborn, helpless babies.
I'm tired of groups on campus slandering Terry Allen. He's done a good job since he's been here. He isn't responsible for his players' actions. Even though as a coach it doesn't reflect well on him, people need to leave him alone. He's a good coach and a good man.
editor ... Nathan Willis
Managing editors ... Chris Borniger,
... Kristi Ellott
Readers' rep ... Erinn Barcomb
Opinion ... Ben Embry,
... Emily Hughey
Sports ... Melinda Weaver
Associate sports .. Jason Walker
Campus ... Jessie Meyer,
... Mindie Miller
图
We need to drop the whole Flaniagans thing.
It's actually better to buy the $1 bottles of Coke instead of the cans of Coke because Coke makes more money on the cans than on the bottles.
editor ... Nathan Willis
Managing editors ... Chris Borniger,
... Kristi Ellott
Readers' rep ... Erinn Barcomb
Opinion ... Ben Embry,
... Emily Hughey
Sports ... Melinda Weaver
Associate sports .. Jason Walker
Campus ... Jessie Meyer,
... Mindie Miller
editor ... Nathan Willis
Managing editors ... Chris Borniger,
... Kristi Ellott
Readers' rep ... Erinn Barcomb
Opinion ... Ben Embry,
... Emily Hughey
Sports ... Melinda Weaver
Associate sports .. Jason Walker
Campus ... Jessie Meyer,
... Mindie Miller
People should give the University Registrar the most current contact information, so when your friends call to get your address and number, it's the right one.
How lame can CBS be to bring back The Fugitive as a new series? How many times does this stupid story need to be told?
--editor ... Nathan Willis
Managing editors ... Chris Borniger,
... Kristi Ellott
Readers' rep ... Erinn Barcomb
Opinion ... Ben Embry,
... Emily Hughey
Sports ... Melinda Weaver
Associate sports .. Jason Walker
Campus ... Jessie Meyer,
... Mindie Miller
Students, put your newspapers, your cigarette butts, your pop bottles in the trash. You want to be treated like adults, then start acting like one.
People shouldn't trash the marching band. If only you knew how much work they put into each show, maybe you would realize how dedicated they are to KU.
Spending 25 hours a week to entertain you closed-minded people must not be good enough. I guess you would only be satisfied if Eminem performed at our half-time show.
How to submit letters and guest columns
Letters: Should be double-spaced type and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
Guest columns: Should be double-
spaced typed with fewer than 700 words.
The writer must be willing to be
photographed for the column to run.
All letters and guest columns should be e-mailed to opinion@kansan.com or submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer Flint Halt. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Ben Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924.
If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4924.
News editors
editor@kansan.com
or 864-4854
readerwrap@kansan.com
or 864-4810
opinion@kansan.com
or 864-4924
sports@kansan.com
or 864-4928
writer@kansan.com
or 864-4910
The University Daily Kansan
Features ... Clay McCuistion
Jayplay ... BriAnne Hess
Online ... Chris Hopkins
Photo ... Nick Krug
Design, graphics .. Amy Train
Wire ... Lori O'Toole
Special sections .. Clare McLellan
General manager
and news adviser.. Tom Eblen
features@kansan.com
or 864-4924
jayplay@kansan.com
or 864-4810
tesbditter@kansan.com
or 864-4810
864-4821
864-4912
864-4810
864-4810
teblen@kansan.com
or 864-7667
Business ... Brad Bolyard
Retail sales ... Becky LaBranch
Marketing ... Trent Guyer
Campus ... Monica Hahn
Regional ... Brooke Johnson
National ... Katy Hyman
Online sales ... Lindsey Gross
online creative ... Patrick Rune
Online creative ... Patrick Rupe
Advertising managers
adddirector@kansan.com
or 864-4524
retailsales@kansan.com
or 864-4462
864-4358
864-4358
864-4358
onlineads@kansan.com
or 864-4359
864-4358
managers
Creative ... Erin Endres
Production ... Jenny Weaver
Classifieds ... Sarah Lando
Zone ... Cecily Curran
Zone ... Anika Entwistle
Zone ... Chris Davenport
Zone ... Jenny Moore
Sales and marketing Matt Fisher
864-4358
864-4475
classifieds@kansan.com
or 864-4358
864-4358
864-4358
864-4358
nfsher@kansan.com
or 864-7666