Letters To The Editor

Tue., Oct. 22, 1996

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Unions behind much that’s fair, good

Re: recent bashing of “big labor.”

So-called big labor is less than 15 percent of America’s work force. How big are we? The advertisement against labor makes labor and unions out to be the enemy. Are we the enemy? Look at what unions have done for working-class Americans.

We get credit for the 40-hour work week, paid vacations, paid holidays and those things contained in every collective bargaining agreement.

Don’t believe for a minute that without big labor’s direct efforts you would have such things as a worker safety laws (OSHA), workmen’s compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, the Fair Labor Standards Act and more.

When the union endorses a candidate, it’s because the members support working-class and low-income America. When we fight against an incumbent, it’s because the person hasn’t voted in favor of worker issues.

In the race for Congress, we feel the choice is clear. Rep. George Nethercutt voted against worker issues and with House Speaker Newt Gingrich 100 percent of the time. Judy Olson, through questionnaires and interviews, looks as though she’ll vote for working class America. But be assured, we’ll review her voting record before a second endorsement.

Within my union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Washington state, we mostly support Democrats. However, based on voting records, we have endorsed four Republicans and are actively trying to defeat two Democrats. We believe we’re nonpartisan and issue oriented. America has much to thank big labor for; we are not the enemy. Craig E. McClure Nine Mile Falls

Vote to end bad labor trend

It never ceases to amaze me how organizations such as the Associated Builders and Contractors, along with other groups that advocate repealing the Davis-Bacon Act, continue their campaign citing fraud and artificially inflated wages as reasons to abandon this long-established law.

Does fraud exist? Yes. Just ask the thousands of construction craftspeople who turn to either the Labor Department, unions or other watchdog groups when unscrupulous contractors try to cheat them on wages they have earned. This is done by misclassifying workers at a lower pay scale, disregarding whatever craft work they are performing.

Secondly, are wages artificially high? No. Construction work is seasonal, physically and mentally demanding work that is not for the weak at heart. Not to many years ago, people sought construction as a lifetime career that rewarded craftspeople with a living wage, health care, pension and ongoing training programs as the fruits of their labor. Today, with the proliferation of the merit shop and its principals, the true master craftsperson is being diluted into a multifaceted worker who is a Jack of all trades and a master of none.

What is it about these organizations that complain about the lack of a skilled work force, yet they try to undermine the very laws that made construction work a viable career choice?

On November 5th, craftspeople have a chance to elect representatives who will listen to us the workers, not the merit shop “bosses” and their organizations. Roger Johanson Spokane

Officials wrong to block contract

First, taxpayers are afflicted by the actions of Hillary Clinton as she wantonly trashed the careers of the White House travel office staff. Now, we get Spokane County Prosecutor Jim “Hillary” Sweetser and Judge Daniel Maggs wanting the ability to do likewise to their employees, by denying them a contract.

This wanton power-grabbing by Sweetser and Maggs is un-American. Just as with Clinton, it will cost taxpayers far more than plain, square dealing with employees ever could. Kudos to Commissioner Steve Hasson for doing the right thing. Bob Franzen Spokane

WWP giveaway really a rip-off

How wonderful Washington Water Power Co. is. Its management has determined that it is much more qualified to dispense my money than I am.

WWP inflated its rates for my utility use to the point where it has too much cash. So, why not give it away? Why not? Because WWP isn’t in that business. Its job is to furnish me the utilities I require. If WWP has too much cash sitting around, reduce my utility rates or improve my service.

A good place to begin is to bury the company’s ugly transmission lines. In lieu of any improvement in service, WWP should reduce rates. But WWP doesn’t want to do that. That would set a bad precedent for all bureaucratic-type institutions in America. If the company doesn’t get rid of its surplus cash, how will it be able to justify future rate increases?

It’s wrong, wrong, wrong for people who manage monopolistic franchises specifically designed to serve public needs to become just another taxing authority that takes too much money from customers and gives money away.

It’s clearly time for WWP to reduce consumer rates. It doesn’t need the extra money and hasn’t earned it. W.W. Gollin Hope, Idaho

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

School initiatives irresponsible

Two measures on the Nov. 5 ballot are poorly understood by most voters, yet could have a substantial impact on education in our state.

Initiative 173, the so-called “voucher initiative,” and Initiative 177, often referred to as the “charter initiative,” would allow public tax dollars to be used to finance newly created, privately run schools that would be exempt from state standards of academic achievement. In addition, these schools would not be accountable to the public for how those public dollars are spent.

It is imperative that voters educate themselves about the provisions of these initiatives. They have been promoted as bringing competitiveness that will improve our public schools, but this is a false premise. Instead, they represent abandonment of our public education system.

Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy. Only when all of our country’s children are well educated can our society operate successfully and fairly.

We have an obligation, whether we have children of our own in school or not, to support public education. If our schools have problems we need to work together - parents, patrons, teachers, administrators and school boards - to find solutions. Trying to pass into law measures that would reduce support for our schools is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous and destructive.

Public tax dollars being used by private interests without accountability or student achievement standards can only erode educational opportunities for our children - our future. Vote against initiatives 173 and 177. Linda Becker Spokane

Don’t turn your back on public schools

I have taught in a private school. I am a graduate of a private college. I am also a strong supporter of public education.

If parents would supervise the preparation of their children’s assigned homework, go to their schools and be friends to their children’s teachers and teach their children to respect their teachers, we would go a long way toward restoring the respect that public education deserves. Don’t destroy public education. Vote no on initiatives 173 and 177. Hannah L. Joss Spokane

Amway executive shows ignorance

In his speech at the recent Amway convention in Spokane, Bill Britt, the millionaire Amway distributor, said, initially, that “if America is to improve, it will be through love, not bullets.”

Then, he proceeded to blast public education, calling it a “national disaster.” He charged that “socialism began eroding American culture when the government started running schools.”

Britt reveals his lack of knowledge of American educational history. He seems unaware that American schooling was entirely in the hands of private schools, churches and otherwise in our colonial and early national periods. An extremely restricted educational system prevailed.

The era of public schools began in the 19th century. The rise of the public schools coincided with the dynamic changes in our democratic society. There became an increasing need for universal schooling.

In the 20th century, American public elementary and secondary schools have been ranked among the best in the world. Suburban communities, in the main, continue to have excellent, well-maintained public schools.

It is true that since World War II our urban public schools have deteriorated, as a reflection of the pathological living conditions in our inner cities. Reform is greatly needed.

Britt might have benefited from viewing the Oct. 13 “60 Minutes” TV program that featured what a courageous and creative principal is doing, against many odds, in his New Jersey inner-city high school. Leo J. Alilunas Moscow

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Dole-Kemp the pro-family team

Vote pro-family. Pro-family means acting on the understanding that family is not just the here and now. Family began with previous generations and continues on for generations.

Voters have the privilege of choosing a candidate experienced in crafting plans for extending Social Security and in tax relief which created monumental economic growth in the ‘80s. His plans worked. Dole now proposes cutting Washington bureaucratic fat so you and I can recover from the big ‘93 tax increase orchestrated by the Democratic Congress and president.

Dole’s ideas served past generations and have continuity for future generations. His leadership helped change the 60-year welfare fiasco. Not until the last days of his presidency did Clinton grudgingly sign welfare reform. This Republican plan encourages self-sufficiency and gives hope that welfare won’t be a generational vocation. Clinton’s “best” plan for America’s future generations was to veto the partial-birth abortion ban.

Elect a future-oriented president, not Clinton, who cuts his promised “goodies” of targeted tax cuts in only two more years. Vote for a man who knows how to make a woman who lives above the glass ceiling happy, proud of herself and of her husband’s accomplishments. Vote profamily, vote Dole-Kemp. LeAnna Benn Spokane

Seeming kindness really unfair

Although I am sympathetic to Karen Degan, I am not sympathetic to legislation signed by President Clinton recently that requires the government (taxpayers) to pay for the college education of spouses and children of federal agents killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

This emotional legislation clearly demonstrates the elitism of the federal government, which has totally lost contact with its constituency. The sad thing is that we have come to expect this attitude from our government. Indeed, staff writer D.F. Oliveria, in his Oct. 8 editorial, actually applauds this legislation.

Is the life of a federal agent any more important than the life of any other U.S. citizen, federal employee or otherwise? Why should we, the taxpayers, provide special benefits for this one elite group? Steven R. Sears Spokane

Don’t be afraid to vote third party

The Spokesman-Review had an informative article on the Natural Law Party (Oct. 8) and on the U.S. Taxpayers Party (Oct. 11).

Many honest citizens aren’t comfortable voting for the agenda of Clinton or Dole. There are other legitimate parties voters aren’t aware of, and so they’re deciding not to exercise their vital right and duty on Nov. 4.

Most families rely on their daily newspaper to acquaint them with substantive choices. Presidential candidate Howard Phillips and the U.S. Taxpayers Party (on the ballot in 39 states) have a workable program to make our economy expand into a large pie of opportunity for all to share. We must not be afraid to vote for a worthy third or fourth party. How would a new one get started and be able to advance? Politicians need to be changed regularly.

When President Lincoln was elected in 1860, the Republican Party was only six years old. There were four major parties competing and he was on the ballot in only two-thirds of the states.

If you are undecided, please consider Phillips. A vote for him would not be wasted, but would be an investment in the future. It takes faith to vote for the candidate you really want and to work and pray for his or her success. Eileen Wilson Spokane

Incumbents asked for trouble

Isn’t it nice to see the chickens come home to roost? I enjoy seeing all the politicians squirming and yelling foul at all the money coming into the campaign from “big labor” just to defeat them in the coming election.

Didn’t they ever look back to see who it was that didn’t pass election reform during the last session of Congress? Had they passed some sort of reform, they would be sitting in fat city. But no, they had the fatted calf in their back pocket, and that was where it was going to stay. Bill Matherly Worley, Idaho

Clinton wishy-washy on immigration

I am infuriated by President Bill Clinton’s immigrations policy flip-flops.

In 1992, he promised his gays and lesbian friends he would open our borders to people from other countries who have AIDS or HIV, classifying them as “political refugees.” In 1993, he signed a bill that directly opposes the above view, no doubt trying to appease the majority of Americans.

In 1996, Clinton, going against Immigration and Naturalization Service recommendations, quietly signed an executive order allowing people from other countries who have AIDS and HIV to claim “political asylum” in the United States. Think about this: these people infected with an incurable, infectious disease are allowed to come to the United States, become “permanent residents” in one year at which time they are eligible for medical benefits.

In his quest for votes, Clinton doesn’t stop to think about American citizens who will be exposed to an infectious disease and shoulder this additional financial burden. Lu Caudill Valley, Wash.

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