UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, September 21, 1994
9A
Americans in bad mood, poll shows
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Americans are more cynical and less compassionate than they were seven years ago, and many feel strapped for money despite the improving economy, according to a poll released yesterday.
A mostly discouraging snapshot of the national mood emerged from the survey of 4,809 people by the Times Mirror Center for the People and the Press.
"It's not a pretty picture. The trends have a negative cast," Andrew Kohut, poll director, said.
Attitudes toward minorities, immigrants and the poor all have hardened somewhat over the seven years of the poll, particularly when it comes to spending money on them and expanding opportunities for them.
In 1987, 71 percent sai the government should take care of people who can't take care of themselves — but that fell to 57 percent this year. Only 41 percent said the government should help the needy even if it means going deeper in debt.
Also, this year for the first time a majority of whites, 51 percent, agreed with the statement that equal rights for racial minorities have been pushed too far, up from 42 percent two years earlier. And 82 percent said people coming here to live should be restricted and controlled more than they are now, up six percentage points from 1992.
"It's an unusual set of trends for a time in which the economy's been expanding and unemployment's been going down," Kohut said. He said one reason may be that the new wave of jobs offers relatively low wages, benefits and security.
More than 40 percent in the survey
said they "often don't have enough money to make ends meet"—a huge chunk considering the relatively healthy economy, Kohut said. Six in 10 said they don't have enough money to lead the kinds of lives they want to, and only half of those expect they ever will.
The financial discontent is centered in a political group Kohut calls the New Economy Independents — a high-school educated group, heavy on single mothers and service workers, who represent nearly one in five U.S. voters and gave nearly 29 percent of their votes to independent Ross Perot in the last presidential election.
"They are the anxious class. Politically they're unanchored, because neither the Republican or Democratic party has paid off for them," Kohut said. "Their level of information is very low and they're very volatile."
Bentsen orders investigation into embargo-violations case
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen has ordered an independent investigation into an agency's handling of a Haiti-embargo violations case against Texaco. Documents suggest that the case may have involved political interference, a Treasury official said yesterday.
Bentens's request means the matter will be reviewed simultaneously at two levels — the Treasury inspector general and the U.S. attorney's office, which launched a separate probe last week.
Both inquiries are in response to an Associated Press report that Richard Newcomb, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, ignored staff pleas to stop the flow of oil and money to Haiti's military junta. The pleas followed his agency's conclusion that Texaco was illegally doing business with the regime.
LEAPing off welfare helps teen-age moms
They're taking part in an experimental state welfare program that pays teen-age mothers not to drop out.
CLEVELAND — Crystal Ledger is staying in class and learning to work with a computer, while her classmates are polishing their math and English skills.
If they drop out or miss too many days, their benefits are cut by the same amount.
Ledger, 19, and her classmates are part of the Learning, Education and Parenting or LEAP program. They receive $62 a month over their regular welfare benefits for continuing to work toward their high school diploma.
Young women in the program can stay in public schools and work toward their diploma, or work on a General Equivalency Diploma at privately-operated centers. Ledger and her classmates attend the Gilbert School, a GED center run by a nonprofit social services agency under contract with Cuyahoga County.
A study released yesterday found LEAP is having a small but significant impact on teenage dropout rates.
25 REASONS TO GO TO LA FAMILIA III
After Hours
The kitchen's closed but the bar is open
Wed, Thur, & Fri.
25¢ DRAWS
50¢ KAMIS
10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
$3.00 cover
with student ID
WED, THUR & FRI 18 & OVER WELCOME
925 IOWA (BEHIND ALVIN'S) 749-5039
You won't be hungry an hour after our buffet
IMPERIAL GARDEN
The Imperial Garden's affordable buffet has all your favorite Chinese dishes, and you can go back as many times as you want. Just get a clean plate.
聚豐圍
WE HONOR
KANSAS
Dinner Buffet 6.95
Lunch Buffet 4.95
Sun.Brunch 5.95
841-1688 (across from Dillon's on 6th)
LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION AND ALVAMAR COUNTRY CLUB
PRESENT THE SECOND ANNUAL EVENT FOR
Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer
A benefit dance to increase awareness
Featuring
Let Byron, Johnny, Kevin and Larry bring back all those memories from the '50s &'60s as you dance the night away in support of breast cancer awareness. This year 182,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 46,000 women will die. We need your help to get the word out. Early detection saves lives. We must speak out loudly and together.
8 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
ALVAMAR COUNTRY CLUB $12.50 PER PERSON/$25 PER COUPLE
All proceeds from this event will benefit women who are unable to afford regular mammograms and medical treatment. Tickets available in LMH Administration office during regular business hours.
Call us and start making your own BEER! 305 E.7th St. (913)74-YFAST
EAT AND RUN LUNCH SPECIALS
$3.95
Lunch Guaranteed in 15 min.
Mon. - Fri. OR your lunch is FREE !!!!!!
(Guarantee is limited to parties of six or less)
EACH SPECIAL ONLY $3.95
BEEF TACO BURRITO
CHILLE RELLENO BEEF TACO
CHIMICHANGA
YOUR CHOICE:
BEEF, CHICKEN, OR PORK
SOFT TACO YOUR CHOICE:
BEEF, CHICKEN, OR PORK
PORK QUESO BURRITO
BEEF TACO &
BEEF ENCHILADA
TACO SALAD
YOUR CHOICE:
BEEF, CHICKEN, OR PORK
ALL LUNCH SPECIALS
ARE SERVED WITH
BEANS AND RICE
For more information, please call 749-632-