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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1978)
opinion ours Straub convinces us: He’s best for top job Oregon electoral politics tends to moderate the style of candidates for statewide office. The need to splash into the ideological mainstream for votes often washes out the differences between opponents’ views. A good example lies in this year’s gubernatorial race in which the Emerald endorses the incumbent Bob Straub. Straub and his opponent, state Sen. Victor Atiyeh, R-Beaverton, seem at times to agree more on the issues than they disagree. Ostensibly, they’re seeking the same ends in such areas as state par ticipation in land-use planning, economic diversification and support or the state’s dominant timber industry, support of state aid to low-income women for abortions and protection of Oregon’s environment. Proposals for property tax relief pro vide one area in which they appear to differ on a substantive matter: Straub supports Measure 11, approved by a special session of the legislature; Atiyeh has his own “revision” of Meas ure 6, which was placed on the ballot by initiative petition. For tax reform, we support Measure 11, which would cut local and state funding by an estimated $525 million. Atiyeh’s proposal would reduce gov ernment revenues only $300 million, not impose spending limits on state agencies and local taxing districts (as 11 does) and have to be passed by a two-thirds majority of the legislature, an unpromising task, indeed. But between the generalizations mouthed by both candidates from time to time, we detect subtle cues as to their commitment to apparently similar goals. Atiyeh, with his slogan “A Dream We Can Afford,” makes a large issue out of Straub’s "mismanagement” in ad ministering state government and an arguable lack of success in working with the legislature. The senator, who failed to beat Straub last time out, wants to improve efficiency in delivering a larger share of tax dollars to the intended ben eficiaries. But he follows that up by suggesting improved detection of those unqualified for various benefits will provide the solution to government inefficiency. Hunting down the “welfare fraud” remains a popular dodge for conserva tive “reformers.” To persist in this fiction — in the face of recent studies suggesting that fraud represents the smallest waste factor in Oregon’s various aid programs — smacks of misinformed opinion at best and clever demagoguery at worst. The real waste in admittedly over sized government stems from human error and misdirected efforts by the in efficient bureaucrat, empire building by the same class, unwarranted generos ity in such programs as workman’s compensation, and a general willing ness by government to provide ser vices and regulation where none is needed or even desired. These remain the real enemies of the efficiency that ben. Atiyeh desires. Perhaps the political risk of criticizing them in the campaign has deterred both candidates from grappling with that thorny issue. On other matters — alternative energy, ecological health, land-use planning — Straub convinces us with a sincere passion for what seems right: a real dream of human aspirations being met by political action and not Atiyeh’s businessman’s vision of a cut-rate government brought about by facile solutions. Even if he fails at times in execution of policies, or in the policies them selves — such as a weakness in ex panding wilderness areas and the area of timber management policies gener ally — Straub must be our choice. He has already gotten much further down the road to a humane, political idea than Sen. Atiyeh ever will with his calculating preoccupation with ad ministrative methodology. Tough choice; we like McFarland Roberts for labor Voters probably can’t go wrong in choosing be tween Ruth McFarland and Veme Duncan for State Superintendent of Instruction. Both are qualified candidates. McFarland is our choice because she comes across as the more dynamic of the two. We feel she would, as she suggests herself, provide better leadership in the office. That means, among other things, greater openess to innovation and skill in working with the Legislature. Our endorsement, however, doesn’t imply criti cism of Duncan’s performance. As the present superintendent, Duncan stresses the administrative nature of this job and the strength of his administra tive skills. In this respect he has demonstrated his ability while McFarland remains untested. The major issue facing the superintendent will be the budgetry impact on education of passage of either Ballot Measure 6 or 11 and the state legislature’s response. McFarland could deal ably with the legislators involved in deliberations on tax relief. Duncan a former Idaho legislator, would fair well in this regard, but his staid, low-key approach remains less convinc ing than McFarland’s outgoing style. McFarland is our choice to provide leadership in the superintendent’s job. But we, along with most Oregon residents, will probably be satsified with either choice. We can find little reason for lengthy considera tion about the state Labor Commissioner race. Mary (Wendy) Roberts receives our whole-hearted en dorsement. A Democratic state senator from Portland, Roberts knows the ropes of state government She campaigned for a reorganization of the commissioner's office and remains hopeful that equal opportunity employment can be improved in Oregon. Her Republican opponent, John Smets, ap proaches the labor office with a vision far short of workaday reality. Vote Roberts for state Labor Commissioner. 10 would hurt Oregon While growing up in Washington County I witnessed, with a heavy heart, the replacement of fruit orchards by cheap apartment complexes, the replacement of produc tive farm and grazing lands with giant shopping centers and the infringement of a multitude of tacky burger stands upon tree-lined neighborhoods. Yet the time "progress" hurt me the most was when our wooded playground was practically paved beneath our feet in order to accommodate the foundations for a bowling alley. Nine years ago, with the establishment of the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC), a noticeable decline in irresponsible growth became appar ent. However, many realtors and entrepreneurs still place profit and “progress" above high quality living communities and efficient land utilization, as evidenced by the creation of Ballot Measure No. 10. If this ballot measure were to pass, present and future land-use goals would be nullified. By eroding the effects of taxpayers' money and nine years of conscientious plan ning, Ballot Measure No. 10 makes waste of a most valu able effort. Improper use of our land would surely resume without the constraints of a regulatory committee. If you want to keep Oregon Oregon and if you’re con cerned about the quality of life for future Oregonians, please vote NO on Ballot Measure No. 10. Amy Esping senior, anthropology Oppose both 6 and 11 The latest public opinion polls show a big drop in support for state Ballot Measure 6. As Oregonians study Measure 6, an increasing number recognize its destructive features. A number of Oregon newspaper editorials have been very critical of Measure 11, but have urged support of it as a lesser-of-two-evils way to stop Measure 6. I think it’s important that we judge Measure 11 on its own merits. I believe Measure 11 would cause problems in Oregon’s future, and that it is not an equitable way to provide tax relief. The legislature has “Got the message," and it is cer tain the 1979 session will enact major tax reduction. Vote “No” on both 6 and 11! James Tattersall professor, economics Warren endorses Rojo I would like to take this opportunity to endorse Maria Rojo for the Incidental Fee Committee (IFC). I have known Maria since I was a first term freshman, and it would be very hard for me to name someone that has impressed me more. Maria is not your typical IFC candidate. She has a quality called ’ substance" on her side. While others make unrealistic and grandiose promises; Maria promises to re spect and work for the needs of a diverse student body. If the IFC is to keep itsetf out of the "sandbox" it wilt take mature, progressive and hardworking people like Maria Rojo. So I urge you to say no to the prima-donnas and dilettantes that always seem to come out of the woodwork at election time, and vote for Mana Rojo and six other responsible candidates I know for a fact there are some out there. Jeff Warren senior, geography Beware the RCYB Allow me to offer some advice to the Iranian students opposed to the Shah. Iranian students: I have at hand the recent announcement in which you urge people (presuma bly many Americans) to "Wear the armband!" and attend a teach-in. I note at the bottom of the page that the Iranian Student Association allows itself to be connected in this venture with the ‘‘Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade " I urge you Iranians to separate yourselves at all times from the RCYB as association with your cause with the RCYB is a sure way to make Americans ignore your mes sage. You cannot know anything at all about American political thinking rf you think allowing your organization to appear to be cooperating with the RCYB is beneficial. All the factions of the Communist party are despised by the overwhelming majority of Americans. I hope you do overthrow the Shah. Walter Slocum staff member, library
