4 University Daily Kansan/ Thursday, September 26, 1991 OPINION Election 1992 Democrats can't match Bush's strength Ready or not, here come the Democrats. Without an agenda, without a leader, and without a prayer, the party of F.D.R. and J.F.K is making headlines as it prepares to offer a candidate to dethrone King George I. Barring an absolute economic disaster or a Hussein victory next time around, there is no way that the Democrats can win. The American people were foolish enough to elect Ronald Reagan to relieve the insult to national pride that the Iranian hostage crisis brought on, and in many ways we still live in the shadow of the Ayatollah. We are certainly foolish enough to give this popular president another term. Never mind the Beirut bombing, intelligence scandals, record-setting deficits, educational bankruptcy, an unfinished war and the pain of the drug battles in U.S. cities, the Republicans are shoo-ins. The Democrats know this. That is why the heavy hitters — Cuomo, Gephardt, and Bradley — will sit this one out. For the third consecutive election, the donkey totes a sacrificial lamb. So to prepare for the 196e election when Dan Quayle (yikes!) will run, the Democrats need to get together now and show the nation that they indeed have a plan to get this country out of the mess it is in. The public will remember a solid 1992 effort, and when Bush's reign is complete in '96, the Democrats could pull it off. The last thing the Democrats need is a relic like Jerry Brown or another politician from Massachusetts. If this lamb bleats loud and strong before he is put on the altar in 1992, the Democrats won't be political black sheep in 1996. So, if you say you want to win an election, we'd all love to see the plan. Michael Dick for the editorial board Regents proposal Regents not suited for superchancellor role Early this summer, the Board of Regents advised its staff to develop a mission statement for all Regents schools including the University of Kansas. The statement was to explain, in broad terms, the goals of higher education in Kansas and suggest ways to achieve those goals. The proposal that was presented to the universities was completely unacceptable. While trying to make the Regents system more efficient, Stanley Koplik, Board of Regents director, and his staff developed a system in which a great deal of authority would be taken away from the universities and placed in the hands of the Regents. In fact, most of the power would be placed in one person's hands, a super- chancellor of sorts. This person would be responsible for allocating money to the various institutions as well as deciding which programs should be eliminated because of duplication. On Sept.19, the staff-prepared mission statement was presented to the Regents. Administrators from the various Regents institutions expressed their displeasure and concerns about the statement. Thank goodness the Regents listened and have sent the mission statement back to the drawing board. Not only was the idea of a superchancellor preposterous, but allowing the Regents to have central authority over all the institutions is ridiculous. Chancellors, vice chancellors and deans at the universities know more about what their institutions need than a few people who meet each month to discuss general problems. Maybe in the future, the Regents can work more closely with its universities to develop more efficient operating procedures. After all, the main objective of public universities should be to give the best possible education to the most students. The more voices that are heard, the better. The Regents need to continue to listen and work with people who are knowledgeable about the day to day workings of each university. Karen Park for the editorial board Question: What do you think about the Kansas football team thus far, and what will its future be? Samuel Lim Freshman Undecided Makati, Philippines "I'm a freshman, so I don't know much about it yet, but my brother has told me about the 'Toilet Bowl.' We're 3-0, though, so I think we'll do pretty good." Bob Lee Associate professor Health and Human Services Lawrence "They might be blowing the KU tradition of great basketball and bad football." Curtis Marsh Senior Business communications Leavenworth "We haven't played a Big Eight team yet, so I don't know exactly how we'll look. But I really excited about fan support and our 0-start. I think we'll surprise a Big Eight team." Christy Shirk Sophomore Political science Columbia, Mo. "I'm really impressed so far. Football has never been as important as basketball, but this season might change that." Yssouf Kone Graduate student Economics Abidian, Ivory Coast "I think we might have a winning season, although Nebraska and Colorado will be tough." Erika Harriford Freshman Business Fort Leavenworth "So far they're pretty good. Everyone says they'll get into a bowl game. Hopefully, they will." KANSANSTAFF HOLLY LAWTON Editor JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser Editors Editors News Erik Schutz Editorial Karen Park Planning Sarah Davis Campus Eric Goreki Sports Mike Andrews Photo Brian Schooni Features Tiffany Harness Graphics Melissa Unterberg KATIE STADER Business manager RICHHARSHBARGER Retail sales manager JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser Business Staff Business Staff Campus sales mgr .. Leigh Bryant Regional sales mgr .. Jeffrey Claxton National sales mgr .. David McWilhne Co-op sales mgr .. Lake Keeler Production mgrs .. Jay Steiner, ... Wendy Stertz Marketing director .. Mike Behee Dedication officer ..黛迪 Classified mgrs .. Jennifer Jacquot letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas must include class and homework, or faculty or staff position. Guest columnists should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be pho- thesized to match the right to right or edit letters, guest columns and cartons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansas newsroom, 111 Stuart-Flint Hall. Last Hurrahs by Mike Romane STU, I'M THIS CLOSE TO STuffING YOU IN THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL.