University Daily Kansan / Tuesday, March 22, 1988
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TuesdayForum
Democrats offer alternative to Reagan era
At times it may seem as if there is really no difference between the Democrats and Republicans running for president. The rhetoric of both parties calls for a strong defense, peace and democracy in Central America, deficit reduction and better education.
Where do the differences lie? What are the differences between the individual candidates running for their party's nomination?
A close (though brief) look at the policies of the two parties reveals a deep chasm between. It can be seen in the way the two parties view and approach problems.
The issue of defense serves as a prime example. The past seven years have revealed the Republican philosophy on defense; greatly increase spending, build up every aspect of conventional, nuclear and chemical defense, and develop new weapons systems.
On the other hand, Democrats see much waste and bureaucracy in the Pentagon. Popular examples of this waste have been the $300 toilet seat and the $150 hammer. However, most Democrats realize that the
real waste lies in the military procurement system which prevents true competition for government contracts. Democrats can easily point to defense contractors who have continually overcharged the government during the past seven years.
What is the Democratic solution? Although Gary Hart is now out of the presidential race, he was one of the first Democratic candidates to call for military reform. The Democratic party is now calling for change in the Pentagon that will in the long run provide for a more effective and less expensive national
Douglas Johnston Mike Lowry Guest Columnists
defense. The last seven years have shown that such change is not a priority for the Republican Party.
The issue of peace and democracy in Central America reveals another great difference between Democratic and Republican policy. All the Democrats running for the nomination oppose contra aid and support the Oscar Arias peace plan for Central America. The Republicans, however, favor contra aid and a substantial United States military presence to keep the peace and promote democracy. The Democrats tend to view the Republics' method as unnecessarily risky and even counterproductive. They view the instability in Central America as an economic and social problem to which there can be no singularly military solution.
On the subject of the deficit, both parties tend to blame each other. President Reagan consistently blames the Congress for "pork-barrel" spending while the Democrats point to Reagan's large military build-up as the source of the deficit problem. Of course, neither side is totally right or wrong, and debate could go on forever.
The more important issue is how each party proposes to reduce the deficit. No clear policy for either party can be drawn until the nominees have been chosen. However, tendencies can be seen. Republicans tend to
seek cuts in domestic programs and shy away from trimming defense. Democrats tend to feel that the domestic programs have been cut enough already and that the Pentagon budget could be trimmed without hurting defense.
Several Democrats also are proposing better enforcement of current tax laws as part of the solution. Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis stated for a tax amnesty plan allowing citizens to pay back taxes without fear of prosecution. Under the Dukakis plan, the amnesty would be followed up by greater enforcement. Similar plans have worked in New York and Massachusetts. Jesse Jackson has focused his attention on a number of large corporations that are not currently paying taxes.
The Republicans continually emphasize the need for the teaching of "traditional values" and "moral development" in our schools. Yet, they ignore the more immediate problem of the need to increase the quality of teachers at the primary and secondary levels and the inadequacy of federal funding for potentially college-bound students.
The issue of education remains a high priority for all presidential candidates. Our educational system has continually deteriorated under seven years of the Reagan administration. The president's budgets have continually allotted fewer and fewer dollars to education, despite evidence that indicates the need for increased funding in order to provide an adequate education for all U.S. citizens.
Democrats, on the other hand, are not afraid to put their money where their mouths are. For example, Tennessee Sen. Albert Gore seeks incentives to lure more qualified teachers into the profession. These would include a higher pay scale for teachers and less crowded classrooms. Federal aid for college-bound students would also receive a boost from the Democrats. Jackson favors an expansion of grants and loans to those students seeking a college education.
The difference between Democratic and Republican policies can be seen clearly. The next question is: What are the differences between the individual candidates running for their party's nomination?
There are five Democrats in the race for the presidency. Although a thorough examination of each cannot be made here, important characteristics and themes can be noted.
Dukakis stresses his experience as an executive and is credited with his state's economic turnaround. Dukakis, unlike Reagan, can boast of submitting a balanced budget to his legislature for nine consecutive years.
Missouri Rep. Richard Gephardt has emphasized his role in the fight against the unfair trade practices of competing nations. Gephardt is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives and is regarded as a strong party leader by many of his colleagues.
At 39, Sen. Albert Gore is the youngest of the Democratic candidates. Gore served four terms as a congressman and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1964. Noting the golden opportunity for Democrats to win the White
House in 1988, Gore has promoted himself as the most electable of the candidates.
Jackson's strength lies in his ability to garner active support from a wide range of Americans. None can argue with his goal to create a drug-free America. Jackson's plan goes further than the mere rhetoric of the present administration. He has proposed an expansion of drug enforcement by beeping up border patrols and the Coast Guard. Jackson can also claim to have the most experience among the candidates in dealing with foreign officials.
Paul Simon's background is the most diverse of any of the candidates. He has been an author, publisher, college professor, military officer and state and national legislator. Simon declares himself to be a Democrat cut from the same cloth as Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.
Clearly, the Democrats are not all alike. Each offers valuable ideas for the progress of the nation. The Republicans simply promise more of the same Reagan-era policies; the Democrats offer a progressive agenda that will realistically address the needs and concerns of the American people.
Douglas Johnston is a Wichita junior and is secretary of the KU Democrat. Mice Lowy is a Hastings, Neb., sophomore and is publicity chairman of the KU Democrat.
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (CLAS)
UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES
FALL 1988
1. Enrollment Card Handout March 23 and 24 9:00-4:30 Kansas Union Ballroom-Picture I.D. Required
2. Advising-2 Weeks Only March 28 through April 8 Check the letter you received in the mail for more information.
3. Dean's Stamp March 28 through April 8 8:30-12:00 and 1:00-5:00 Strong Hall Rotunda
CLAS Freshmen and Sophomores March 21 through 25
Special advising workshops will be presented by the CLAS Advising Support Center in the Residence Halls.
Take advantage of this opportunity to complete your fall 1988 schedule, get an advisor's signature and Dean's stamp all without leaving your residence hall. Check with your RA for more information.
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