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