EDITORIAL
Follow the Reps’
bouncing checks
Let's open a new bank. For starters, there will be
no penalties for bounced checks. Interest-free loans,
too. To cover overdrafts, money from other member ac:
counts will be used.
Sounds good but totally unfeasible? Not if you're a
member of the House of Representatives.
When the story broke last week that the House
bank had covered more than 8.300 of lawmakers'
bounced checks, the public met it with a cynical laugh.
After all, when compared to Iran-Contra. Wedtceh,
payoffs and PACs. this latest bit of scandal is definitely
a non-starter. But it is the kind of governmental gossip
that garners headlines and sends congressmen fearful
of their re-election chances scurrying for the want ads.
There was no deliberate attempt to bilk the public,
as in other scandals. No bribes or slush funds: just a
few money-unconscious lawmakers not keeping track
u i uiuii uicLiuu^ at
counts and using their
positions tor personal
gain. Those1 caught with
their rubber checks
(134 so far) were, to a
person, shocked and re
peatedly claimed they
had no idea that run
ning up overdrafts in
their bank accounts was
bad.
That more than
Apparently, the
rarefied air of
Congress has
sapped their brains
to the point that
they can't even
manage a checking
account
anytmng snoum cause
voters to knock those lawmakers off their pedestals and
bring them back to the reality of civilian life. Apparent
ly. th(! rarefied air of Congress has sapped their bruins
to the point that they can’t even manage a checking ae
count.
And these lawmakers control billions upon billions
of taxpayer dollars? No wonder there’s a federal deficit.
It also explains $70 Defense Department hammers.
House Speaker Tom Foley. D Wash., has gone out
of his way to defuse the scandal, saying no taxpayer
money was involved and adding that bounced checks
and overdrafts did not constitute a violation of ethical
standards. Mighty big of him when you consider that
in the past, 20 of Foley’s account transactions crossed
over the red line — including $540 last December for
stereo equipment.
Hope he enjoyed the sound system.
Seriously, though, the whole thing just erodes pub
lic confidence in lawmakers. Once again the public is
presented with evidence that Congress has lost touch
with the rest of the world. Overwhelming evidence
shows that, as elected officials, our leaders have decid
ed they don't have to adhere to the rules of society, let
alone banking. The Capitol has become a place of elit
ists; a place of snobbish leaders.
Hut as far as punishing representatives for their lat
est bit of financial mischance, there is no need. The
ethics committee will give each a slap on the wrist, and
that will be that. Hopefully, when election '92 rolls
around, voters will actually remember these discre
tions and act accordingly. Then the ousted lawmakers
will get all the punishment they deserve: from their
creditors and finance companies.
"Hello, former congressman? We have a small
problem with your account...”
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New hate crimes require proactive stance
By Jennifer Bills and
JoSonja Watson
In the past few weeks there
has been an increase of vio
lence in the West Campus
area The number of rac ial and
sexual harassment cases have
skyrocketed, and many stu
dents have started to fear for
their own safety
for sensible and responsible
partying Many of the acts of
violence that occurred after the
USC football game involved al
cohol It is our responsibility to
make sure that we drink and
celebrate in a way that does not
infringe on the safety of others
and ourselves Our liehavior in
these situations can turn a fun
party into a potential danger
doesn’t matter if it's night or
day.
Secondly, use services like
Project Saferide and the Office
of Public Safety. Also, if you
are feeling threatened, get out
of the situation. We don't need
any martyrs for the cause. Pi
nally, report any incidents of
violence to the Eugene police
department, the clean's office,
1 HUSO 11 it It T '
bused crimes
are a problem
that all s I u
ilellls at the
lIniversitv are
going to he
f a o c d wit h
Whether It lie
a friend, fami
ly member,
house mate.
The final thing we can do is to watch out
for our own safety and the safety of
others. We do not enjoy having to
advocate that students travel in groups,
but the time has come that the
practicality of safety overshadows the
freedom of movement.
They can pro
vide emergen
cy assistance
us well as af
tor-care infor
mation.
As a com
munity, we
have an ohli
gallon to care
f o r the a r ea
spou si* or do
mestic partner, w« will all bo
faced with a situation that is
potentially dangerous to the
ottos wo caro lor and/or our
solvos
Tho time has oomo tor stu
(loots at tho University to take
an active stance against vio
lence Wo liavo tho opportunit \
to speak up against mines th.it
make our campus and the cam
pus neighborhood unsafe.
What wo can do has many
levels First, we can take a
proactive stance by speaking
out against hate-based crimes
and violence. We tain educate
ourselves on tho merits of re
specting others and being toler
ant Secondly, we nan advocate
r.one.
Hu: final thiwe can do Is
o watch out for our own safely
Hid tin; safety of others Wo do
lot enjoy having to advocate
fiat students travel in groups,
nit the time has come that thu
)radicality ol safety overshad
>ws die freedom of movement,
’lease, travel in groups or in
i.urs when you are going out. It
mu i w r. ii vi
in. Stopping violence on the
streets starts with stopping the
violence in our homes. Educate
yourselves and your friends on
issues of women, people of col
or, disabled people, and lesbi
uns and guy men. In this way.
we cun take a proactive stance
on curbing the violence.
Jennifer Hills and JoSonja
Watson are president ami vice
prosident of the ASUO.
COMMENTARY POLICY
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