Nader lobbies for justice
This is responding to a few ill-informed points that have appeared on the ODE editorial page calling to question Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader’s political lobbying and his potential to get things done in Washington.
To conclude that the lobbying efforts of Nader and the many organizations he’s helped found, such as Public Citizen, the EPA, the PIRGs (that’s OSPIRG, too), etc., is no different from say, Chevron, Philip Morris, G.E., etc., is a grotesque misrepresentation of what Nader and the Green Party stand for: Democracy by, for and of the people.
It is not America’s financial “upper crust” that Nader and his affiliates lobby for. They lobby for the public’s health and safety: clean air and water acts, OSHA, EPA, Freedom of Information Act and seat belts. This is in stark contrast with what V.P. Gore and Gov. Bush stand for. If you doubt this, look into the major contributors to their campaigns and parties. Nader takes no corporate contributions. Then look at whose interests the Republican and Democratic parties serve and compare it with Nader’s platform and record.
To those who doubt Nader’s effectiveness if elected, as a Harvard Law graduate fighting for public safety and health since 1965, he’s got a few ideas on getting things done, such as true campaign finance reform and a re-distribution of the national budget. Look at Nader’s record and what he’s accomplished so far. Look over Bush and Gore’s records and make your own comparison. It should be rather telling.
Tyrone Reitman
Religious Studies/ Sociology
Voters’ Guide simplifies
the process
Responsible voters are showing signs of impatience, frustration and confusion as they struggle to understand the 26 complex statewide measures on the November ballot. Busy Oregonians are looking for reliable information that is strictly balanced, unbiased, and nonpartisan. They also want easy-to-understand information that won’t take days to read.
The Voters’ Guide, published by the League of Women Voters of Oregon, is just such a document, and it’s now available across the state — free. LWVOR’s Voters’ Guide deals evenly with both sides of each ballot measure. It also covers all 30 candidates running for U.S. Representative and statewide office. The candidates’ answers to comprehensive questions, appropriate to their desired positions, are reproduced in their own words. Further details about candidates are available at www.dnet.org.
The Voters’ Guide explains each of the 26 measures concisely — with the titles, a short summary, the balanced pros and cons, some necessary background, and the projected costs involved. Only 40 pages in length, more than 230,000 free copies will be available to Oregon voters, thanks to civic-minded sponsors. The Voters’ Guide is available at the customer service counters of all Fred Meyer stores, as well as other stores, libraries, senior centers, schools, community colleges and universities. For further information, please call the office of the League of Women Voters of Lane County, 343-7917.
Karen Rikhoff
president
League of Women Voters of
Lane County
A vote for Nader supports Bush
As young, potential voters in what promises to be the closest presidential election in 40 years, college students are in an extremely influential position. It is vital that, before deciding for whom to vote, each student think seriously about the long-term effect of that vote. For those who care about forging a more fair, just and progressively-inclined America, careful consideration should lead to a vote for Al Gore, not Ralph Nader.
All Americans owe Nader a debt for being a stalwart voice against corporate greed. However, college-age voters, who have flocked to the Green Party in increasing numbers, must realize that a vote for Nader only brings our nation closer to a Bush administration, one that wouldn’t hesitate to appoint a frighteningly right-wing Supreme Court.
It is easy to get caught up in Nader’s talk of the two parties being virtually identical in their corporate dependency. But Nader is dead wrong in stating that Gore and Bush don’t differ: A look at their opposing views on gun control, abortion, gay rights, and campaign finance reform, for example, shows how incorrect Nader’s assertion is. While one may prefer Nader in the abstract, the reality is that the only thing which a vote for him can accomplish is the election of Bush and Cheney.
Mike Alpern
Communications Director
Americans for Democratic Action
DPS oversteps boundaries
This is in regard to the ODE’s Oct. 23 article, “DPS strives for more power amid internal difficulties.” As I understand it, DPS is supposed to be a campus security service. What problems do the campus have that require armed security guards?
The surrounding campus area seems to be fairly heavily patrolled by real police officers. Their response to any situation requiring armed force on campus would be only marginally slower than that of DPS. Actually, it would probably be faster, because anyone who sees an incident with a potential for serious violence is going to call the police rather than campus security.
Having armed security guards on campus is not only a bad idea, it’s an irresponsible and dangerous idea. Everything I’ve been reading about DPS lately (illegal lights, defensive tactics training, guns) indicates that the department is not satisfied just to be a force of helpful security guards who can call in the cops if situations get hairy. But isn’t that the function of campus security? DPS wants to pack heat, get in fights and drive around in cars with flashing lights — in general, they’ve been watching too many syndicated cop shows.
DPS is, by definition, a force of campus-bound security guards, and there is no shame in that. They serve an important function. However, they shouldn’t try to overstep their bounds. Eugene and the University are progressive and civilized enough to have a “gun-free” campus.
Kyle Davis
Class of ’97
Kazakhstan