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University Daily Kansan, October 29, 1982
Opinion
Voter disinterest looms
In Bloomsburg, Pa., this week, the Morning Press offered $5 to anyone who could identify the candidates seeking a congressional seat in that district.
"We didn't lose much money," the newspaper reported. Only six of 120 people could name the candidates.
The newspaper offered the money as an experiment, to learn whether suspicions that interest in political issues was "at an all-time low" were accurate. The lack of interest came
through loud and clear with one woman's reply: "I haven't the least idea and I couldn't care less."
This apathy is not likely confined to Bloomsburg. For a variety of reasons, including the Nov. 2 election's off-year status, Kansas campaigns have generated little excitement or controversy. To highlight issues that should be matters of concern, the Kansan has turned over today's editorial page to representatives of state and area candidates.
Republican candidates seek ouster of ranking Democrats
As chairman of the KU College Republicans, I am proud of the impressive slate of competent candidates put forth by the Republican Party for the important offices in the Nov. 2 election. I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce them, and briefly outline why they deserve our support.
Four years ago, John Carlin defeated incumbent Gov. Bob Bennett largely by making promises he knew he could not or would not keep. He promised to lower utility bills, but has refused to do so. He promised to sign a death penalty bill if one came to his desk, but has refused to sign three, despite
KEVIN YOWELL
the fact that the Legislature and the people of Kansas support the death penalty. And he promised to deal with the state's budget wisely, yet he has the dubious distinction of being the only governor in the history of the state to spend more than he has taken in all four years of his term.
The legacy of the preceding 36 governors was a treasury surplus of $198 million. In four years, the present governor has spent it all. Carlin has used the severance tax as a smokescreen to cover up his poor record in handling the state's finances.
The fact is that a severance tax, on which Carlin places all of the state's hopes, would account for only about 3 percent to 5 percent of the budget. Meanwhile, Carlin has alienated the business community and allowed Kansas to lose more than 5 percent of its manufacturing jobs. He is watching the state's pennies and throwing away its dollars.
Whether or not one supports the severance tax, it must be emphasized that Carlin cannot, by himself, enact the tax into law. He must face reality, which is that the Legislature has not passed the severance tax and, in all likelihood, will not in the foreseeable future. Yet the incumbent governor has no alternative to make up for a shortfall.
Kansas needs a governor who knows how to manage a budget. A successful businessman, a graduate of Harvard Business School and a family man, Sam Hardage knows the importance of operating within one's means. He also knows the importance of revitalizing the business community to put Kansans back to work.
Hardage has organized the "Kansas 2000 Commission," a group of top Kansas leaders in business, education, agriculture and other professions who will help formulate solutions to ensure Kansas' greatness in the near future and in the year,2000. Hardage has pledged that as governor he will personally meet with major companies to convince them to bring their new plants to Kansas and to let them know we want them here.
John Carlin has talked about a lot of problems. Sam Hardill will do something about them. Let's elect a governor Kansans can trust. Let's elect a leader. Let's elect Sam Hardill . . . for a change.
Kansas needs Morris Kay in the U.S. House of Representatives for another reason.
After years of the Democratic policies of wasteful taxing and spending that gave us record double-digit inflation and staggering interest rates, Americans voted for fiscal responsibility in 1980. Since then, President Reagan's policies have cut inflation in half, lowered interest rates from 22 percent to 13 percent, and put a stop to the reckless government spending that was increasing at a rate similar to that of the Democrats. Clearly, Republican policies are beginning to pay off Unemployment remains a great concern. But it, too, will fall as the lower inflation and interest rates spur business activity, creating new jobs.
Times ahead look very bright. Yet, just one year into the new economic program, there are still some problems.
spending that brought us to the brink of economic ruin. This is why we need Kay in Congress. His opponent favors a "quick fix" to last only until the next election and place us back into the all-too-familiar pattern of upward-sprinking inflation and interest rates. Kay knows we cannot have true prosperity for all Americans until we solve our economic problems, instead of just covering them up with a blanket of deceptive programs and expenditures.
A native of Kansas, a graduate of the University of Kansas and a resident of Lawrence, Kay believes in our state and a vote. A people for Kay will send a clear signal to the Democratic House leadership in Washington, who will stay the course to reach true economic freedom
Our secretary of state, Jack Brier, has served the people of Kansas in an exemplary manner for four years. Having begun in that office as an office boy in 1988, the 36-year-old native of Overland Park and graduate of KU was the secretary of state in 1978 and elected later that year.
Since then, his innovative ideas have produced the highest statewide voter registration ever, as well as record-high voter turnouts in both primary and general elections. We must continue to improve upon these and others of our nation's electoral system to bring Brier to the secretary of state's office.
Bob Stephen, our attorney general, has led the fight against crime in Kansas for the past four years. And he has been an outspoken advocate of rights of law-wabing citizens and victims of crime.
He proposed laws that now require criminals, when paroled, to pay restitution to their victims. He halted the expansion of a hazardous waste dump. He has enforced the Kansas Open Meetings Law. He has saved Kansers $3.25 million through his Consumer Protection Division. He has worked for a "guilty but mentally ill" sentencing option. His outstanding record speaks for itself. Stephan deserves our vote for attorney general.
The race for the state treasurer between Douglas E. Holt and Joan Finney has, thus far, not received media attention in proportion to its importance to the citizens of Kansas.
Finney, the Democratic incumbent, has a record of incompetence that has cost the state potentially millions of dollars in interest income, a commensurate effect on her tax burdens by her decision to tax businesses' powers concerning investment of our tax dollars that are not, by state statute, hers to exercise. Further, an office that is, by law, merely a supervisory and advisory post has grown during her term in office into a bureaucracy with 47 offices and a yearly budget of more than $1.2 million.
The Republican candidates for local offices also deserve our votes. Hank Bock, candidate for 1st District county commissioner, has the necessary experience as past vice president of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.
Holt, the Republican, is a successful businessman and administrator with proven ability in organizing and streamlining functions to produce maximum efficiency. He is also an effective member of the House from the 115th district. Holt seeks an opportunity to return the office of state treasurer to the level of efficiency the people of Kansas deserve.
Fletcher Bell, our commissioner of insurance, finds himself without opposition this election year. His mary years of experience and dedication to serving Kansans' needs are well-known in both Republican and Democratic circles.
Our candidates for the Kansas House of Representatives understand what it is like to live on a budget. We need legislators who can work with the Republican House and Senate in Topeka. Bob Schultz from the 44th District and Doug Lamborn from the 46th District are the kind of representatives Lawrence needs and can be proud of.
Kevin Yowell, Overland Park Junior, is chairman of the KU College Republicans and prefect committeeman of Ward 2, Precinct 2 in Overland Park for the Republican Party.
KANSAN
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Choice key to third parties
Third-party candidates are among the best kept secrets in Kansas politics — at least, in terms of where to go next.
Third-party candidates don't get the respect, the money or the attention that Democratic and Republican candidates, such as John Carlin and Sam Hardage, receive. Unable to rely on mammoth campaign staffs, television ads and scientific pollss, third-party candidates and their wives usually stump for themselves, trying to convince someone to listen.
Three candidates — Warren C. Martin of the Prohibition Party, Frank Shellon of the American Party and James Ward of the Republican Party — were serious in serious third-party campaigns in the Kansas
"The big problem is the misuse of public property for the benefit of candidates selected by a few people," Shelton said. "There have been forums and debates at public institutions around the state that we haven't been invited to. Now I consider this to be a fraud, and whoever perpetrated these misdeeds should be the subject of criminal prosecution."
"the are misleading a fine gentleman by
the name of Ronald Reagan. They are selfish
TOM GRESS
Then there is this:
"The public is very poorly informed as to the nuts and bolts of keeping this country together. Carlin has $1.5 million (in campaign funds). The public is not getting the whole story."
And, finally, there are Shelton's beliefs about Sam Hardage and his cannism staff.
numerator race. Although they have trouble getting space in daily newspapers and air-time on television news and don't often get invited to debate Carlin and Hardage, they trudge out in their cars and pickup trucks, to stop and hand out campaign literature to anybody.
"My campaign staff? It's Mrs. Shelton and myself," said Shelton, a 72-year-old retired parole officer from Cherryvale. "We haven't tried to raise money. Mostly we campaigned off of several small contributions and my own resources."
Shelton ran for governor in 1978 and received
But for Shelton, a campaign trip doesn't include a large staff tagging along, or a bunch of Political Action Committee money rolling in. No, a campaign is his chance to praise the flag, patriotism and conservatism, and to denounce the major party candidates.
17,000 votes. He will be happy, he said, if he improves on that performance.
Warren C. Martin, a 75-year-old retired farmer from Junction City, last ran for governor in 1938. He didn't want to run for governor this year, but became the Prohibition Party's candidate after a man stepped aside because of injuries he dropped out because of his wife's ill health.
premary V2
While Shelton angrily denounces the major parties and the press and broadcasters for relegating third parties to a lower class, Martin accents it with a bit more ease.
"We have to expect it," he said, "but third parties have a plan. Third parties tend to be a threat."
For example, Martin said, Social Security began as a third party idea. Martin said that when he ran for governor in 1958, he suggested the severance law, now a hot political item.
Martin also relies on a streamlined campaign staff.
"We have had one rather prominent Democrat contribute, but I am not going to say who it is. For the most part, however, it is small contributors."
"I have got my wife, but that is about it," he said. "I would like to have a staff, out we are mostly a nickel and penny operation, not like those big dollar parties.
As for his campaign theme, Martin said his party was the taxpayers' party. He favors the reduction of property taxes, he said, and a severance tax.
Martin campaigns in a Ford crew-cab pickup with signs plastered on each side and a 10-foot vehicle.
James Ward, the Libertarian Party candidate, could not be reached for comment in this column. The Libertarian Party proposes, for the most part, to eliminate government from the lives of private citizens. While Carlin and Hardage have debated the merits of severance taxes and gasoline taxes, Ward has said he is opposed to any tax
"You can't miss us coming down the street," he said.
"Every party says they will lower taxes,"
"Ward mind." "Our point of view is that taxes
are lower than the current rate."
"No tax is a good tax," he told a Kansan reporter earlier this fall. "It's your money, you work hard to earn it, so you should spend it the way you want to."
In a local race, Pat Goodwin, a 24-year-old KU law student and a Libertarian, faces Republican Doug Lamborn and Democratic Benetta Jo Charlton in the 46th DEMOCRATS.
Ward, a 36-year-old auto service manager from Garnett, supports a 25 percent across-the-board spending cut.
"The government is preventing people from exercising responsibilities," Goodwin has said. "This creates the idea that people are not responsible and must be coerced."
Democrats push education. tax
The Democratic Party has always had a proud tradition of strong candidates, and this year is certainly no exception. The strength of the party comes from the people. We have never turned our back or ignored social issues concerning education. As Democrats, our philosophy has been and continues to be one of support for these issues while balancing them with fiscal responsibility.
This basic party philosophy is characterized this year in all major races concerning the University. The Democratic slate is led this year by Gov John Carlin and his running mate, Tom Docking. The governor has a highly respected record of service to his native state, a record respected by leaders of both major political parties.
The keystone of the governor's platform is his proposed severance tax on oil and gas production. With more than 70 percent of the tax to be paid by producers and consumers out of state, this is the most viable solution to the need for more revenues in Kansas. The severance tax, which Carlin has steadfastly supported, would increase $120 million annually for highways and education.
Carlin offers Kansans a chance to take a positive step forward by increasing revenues while maintaining a policy of no general tax increases. Under Carlin's well-managed administration, Kansas has been able to avoid such tax increases.
Carlin has been a strong supporter of higher education in Kansas, and the severance tax is yet another example of his commitment to better the funding of such programs. In contrast, the governor's opponent has no proposed funding for higher education. He claims that additional cuts and higher gasoline and property taxes will solve the problem.
Slattery offers the citizens of the 2nd District a common-sense approach toward solving the current economic crisis that has led this nation to experience difficulties and an unemployment rate of 10.1 percent.
Carlin has a record of service that he can be proud of. While in office, he has upgraded the business climate to fourth nationally, kept our utility bills among the lowest in the country and kept the tax burden off citizens. This is a record not seen before by anyone. He has who proven himself worth of a second term.
Although the governor's race affects students statewide, the 2nd Congressional race has the distinction of having the two largest state universities in its district, as well as other smaller ones. For this office, the Democrats animated a strong young candidate, Jim Sitterty.
Slattery is deeply concerned about the federal deficit and its impact on interest rates, the economy and unemployment. Unless the federal deficit is greatly reduced, the government will pay 10 percent to 70 percent of all U.S. credit to the private sector to 30 percent to 40 percent of all available
credit will raise interest rates, retard economic growth and increase unemployment.
Slattery believes the federal budget must be balanced with fiscally responsible programs funded by a truly equitable income tax structure. As your congressman, Slattery will seek further cuts in federal spending and fight for a fairer, more simple tax structure.
Slattery will oppose any further cuts in student loan programs. To cut more from such programs involves a sacrifice the future of this nation cannot afford.
Slattery is clear the candidate most capable of representing the citizens of the 2nd District
SCOTT SWENSON
There are three legislative races facing local voters this election day. One of the Democratic candidates, John Solbach, has no opposition. The two other candidates, who have opposition, have demonstrated their leadership in the Kansas district and served the people of their districts faithfully.
with an independent voice — a voice that reflects the intelligence, pride and plain common sense of her people.
Jessie Branson has been one of the most outstanding freshman representatives in the Kansas House since her election in 1880. In 1976, she became the opponent in a Republican stronghold.
Branson had a long record of service to her community even before entering the House of Representatives. Her most stunning achievements as a representative reflect the involvement and interaction she has had with her constituents. She also served on the governor's committees on health planning, mental retardation and mental health, and nursing homes. She was recently appointed by Carlin to his Committee on Child Passenger Safety — an appropriate choice by the governor, who is a long-time supporter. She introduced and steered legislation through to establish the Child Passenger Safety Law.
Branson also organized legislators from the other Regents schools' districts to lead a floor fight against budget cuts, and she carried the "Other Operating Expenses Amendment" in the final appropriations battle. It is likely that her office prevented more cuts at the University.
Branson also sponsored a bill establishing the Poison Control Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This service offers a statewide free hotline that enables people anywhere in the state to get immediate information on what to do in the event of poisoning.
Incumbent State Rep. Betty Jo Charlton offers experience and knowledge of the universities' relationship to state government as one of her strong points. Devoted to the cause of higher education, Charlton has consistently supported increases in faculty salaries, student and classified employee wages, other operating expenses and capital improvements. Charlton thinks that the severance tax will help the University, and she has consistently supported it. As a member of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee, she has worked on such problems as utility rate structure, hazardous waste, pollution, conservation and energy alternatives to petroleum and nuclear power.
Charlton supports a mutual, verifiable freeze between the United States and the U.S.R. s. on the development, production and deployment of nuclear arms as the first step toward reduction of these arms. By keeping in touch with University administrators, faculty members and students, the residents of her district and the community at large, she remains well-informed
A former member of Gov. Carlin's staff, now completing her third year as a representative, Charlton has the experience to continue with the job and will be responsible the evidence has come to expect and receive from her.
Heibert stresses the need for full-time service on the County Commission and the need to have both political parties' philosopher represented. She is a strong candidate with definite beliefs in the two-party system. If her opponent is elected, the commission will be controlled entirely by one party, and the views of the citizens will not be represented equally because of this.
Our most pressing need, in her opinion, is to keep people from freezing in their homes this
The final local race is for the County Commission seat. With 20 years experience in health and education, Nancy Heltert approaches with an eye toward the people and their neighborhoods.
The County Commission is in a position to provide visible leadership in alleviating human problems. Furthermore, Heibert hopes to increase public participation in county government by scheduling certain meetings at night and by publishing agendas for regular meetings.
I have offered this very brief description of our candidates at the levels we think most directly concern the University. Of course, there are other candidates running for office and other positions in other departments that brought to you in hopes of sparking an interest, that you might seek out the necessary information to make your decisions. This election's importance cannot be overstated. As students, your role is more important now than ever to strongly urge your support of our candidates.
Scott Swenson, Topek freshman, is campus coordinator of Kanssan for Carlin.