EDITOR'S COLUMN TABLE OF CONTENTS eorge Bush's love of the sea was made public again in G Malta. where his launch vessel journeyed through choppy seas on his EDITOR'S COLUMN •.•.• . • ...... •.• .•.•••.. return to the U.s.s. Belknap. Perhaps a nautical cover is then best to depict PROFILES AND PERSPECTIVES: President Bu sh's likely encounters A Conversation with Pe t~r Peterson • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 during his second year in the While House. SHOULD WE COPY JAPAN? It should be acknowledged thai this David A. FUSCllS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• new president genuinely enjoys his job. As one White House adviser recently EDITORIALS ...... 8 to ld the Forum, Mr. Bush likes making decisions. WHAT GEORGE BUSH SHOULD SAY IN THE STATE OF But the decisions are going to start get­ THE UNION MESSAGE ...... •...•. • .••.•.••...... 10 ting more diffi cult. Eastern Europe 's startling changes are raising new ques­ HELPING A TROUBLED SCHOOL SYSTEM: Baltimore's ti ons about our appropriate role in in­ Unique Approach fluencing the " new Europe." Budget choices also remain outstanding. Veronica DiConti •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••• •• • •••••••• 1~ despi te the good news that real sav ings will be real ized through defense reduc­ MICHAEL DELAND AND THE CLEANING OF AMERICA: tions. William P. McKenzie. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 1~ The presidency is about selling priorities, so th e Forum ha s put REVIEWS: together a State of the Union address Born to Lose: Tracy Kidder: George Bush could embrace. The presi­ Alfred W. Tate . • • •••••• ...... 20 dent will not approve all our ideas, but the document should be seen as an at­ THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER: tempt by moderate GOP leaders and Rreaking Down the Berlin Wall: thinkers to assemble a rational set of William Clinger • • • • • ••••• •• • •• • •••••••••••• •••••••••••••• •• 22 aims. Forme r Republican Comme rce 6 LmRARY COURT . •...•.•.•.•.•..•••...... 2, Secretary Pete Peterson also discusses goals in this issue . According to the in­ WASHINGTON NOTES AND QUOTES ...... •..•. 24 vestment banker, our poli tical repre­ sentatives must be more realistic about our choices. As Peterson says. "The in­ capacity to make choices that involve costs is at the heart of our problem." Forum editori al board member Dav id Fuscus analyzes Japan's experience with industri al policy, too. Ripon Educational Fund Mark O. Hatfield Scholar Veron ica DiConti also presents RIPON/orum a case study of the Bahimore school sys­ EAuOf': William P. McKenzie tem. " """,iou~ £dilOf': Dale E. Cun;s Bill Tate, our book review editor. P""",,,,tiq,, DWCIQf': Bradley E. K('nI.bU Party. ManuscripU and phoI~ an: .oIicitcd., bu.1 £duoritlJ " ..i"'"t: Brent C. &kew do noI ..,prrsml!he riewsof!he Sociely unless so RaCed. looks at the ed ucational system, too, in £.woritJl BlHlnI: ScnwIcl.... postag<:and f«$ paid .. Wuhinawn. D.C. his essay on Tracy Kidder's "Among David A. Fuocus and.:lditioml rnailingoffoces. Pownwer: Smd..tdtus SlqIhm A. M~n~ Mariann KUfU ~ h.ng~ s 10 Ripon Forum. 6 Library C"un. S .E .. Schoolchildren." And Ri pon chainnan AIFmI W. TalC Sleven KlirW:Y W.... ington. D.C. 20000. Bill Clinger writes in Ihis issue on the Gall Slocum Terrence M. O 'Sullivan Sub$c'ripliorl nues : $25 per year ,$17.SO for Sluden ... Berlin Wall, which reminds us that CNsi6.C".slil",,,,, RJ . M~IS(IOl l\('rvittmen. ~iII« COO'pO. Visu and DIMr ~oIUn l «lS . o.~rseJ.S. pleast add S6. Please allow five ...·etks for 1Id­ wh ile political hurdles remain. oc­ THE RIPON FORUM (lSN OO3S-1S26) i. publiWd d~chanae· casiona ll y in human affairs real bi- momhly in 1989 by The RIpon Sociely. COOltnlS The Ripon Sociely Inc .. Mark E. UncaplltT. preside.... an:copyrighled 1989 by Iht: Ripon Society. Inc .. 6 is . Rq:>IIbl ican resun:h and policy organiz.olion ". ~ breakthroughs occur. UbruyCoon. S.E.. Washingloo. D.C. 20003. mc:mbers:are business. academic. and profes;ncd by chap!" dUel. ;ndividual romribulions. and revenues from irs public~l;oos .

2 Ripon Forum , December 1989 PROFILES AND PERSPECTIVES A Conversation with Pete Peterson

Ripon Forum: In 1987 you wrote was being spent on investments such as that "Americans areaboul to wake up to railroads and steel production. Within Peter G. Peterson realit y: for some time now the foun­ about two decades. we had paid that dations of their economic future have extra debt back. Dllring his professional career. Peter been insidi ously weakening." What G. Peter.fOIl has observed movements in does this mean? Is it still true today? Ripon Forum: Let me play the the U.S. and global economies from devil's advocate a moment. The econ­ sel'eral different perches. The Nebraska Peterson: The article was tilled, "The omy is running at near full employment. native IIOW chairs the BfackslOlle Morning After:' but I reall y meant the innation remains low. growth in GNP Group, an investmelll banking firm in piece to be about the neltt decade. In a continues to ou tstrip growth in the New York City. He also is head of the world where capital nows are over­ deficit. So why worry? COl/neil all Foreign Relations. In 1972. whelming trade nows by 50 to I, no one Peterson. SOli of Greek immigraflls. can predict what's going to happen from sen'ell as secretary of commerce IInder month to month or year to year. So We have a progressive RicllardNi:con. Andfrom 1973· 1984. he much depends on the psychology and, was chairman of Lehman Brothers. to some extent, the politics of the type of economic disease. In 1987 Peterson's financial alld foreign lender. But I have never seen a If you look at our political involvements prompted a book study of long-tenn economic perfor­ all America's economic flllllre. "0" mance that did not show investment to economic problems over a BorrowedTime: How the Growth in EII­ be a major fac tor in detennining suc­ period of decades. there tit/en/elll Spending Threatens Amer­ cess. We nOl only seea high savings and has been a qualitative ica's Future" presents his case for investment rate in Japan, but also in the economic reform. His plan srarts with successful. so-called newly industrial­ change in the strength of redllcing middle and upper class emit­ ized countries of Korea, Taiwan. Sin­ our economy. lemem programs. gapore and Hong Kong. In this imerview in his Park Avenlle of­ My concern is that when you start with fice with Forum editor Bill McKemie, our very low savings level, which is Peterson comends tl/al America "has a more like a puddle, and consume from Peterson: A great deal of the deficit progressive type of economic disease." 60 percent to 80 percent of that savings is being financed by foreign capital, The New York banker says Ihal we are rate on the deficit. a pitifully small por­ which leaves us vulnerable to foreign nOilooking a/ economic issues Ol'e/" the tion is left for actual investment. OUf whims. The metaphor I would use is that long·term. and Ihal Wall Street would ability to regain economic momentum we have a progressive type of economic respond/aI'orably 10 a tax plan thai in­ depends on an investment le vel that we disease. If you look at our economic elutles serious emitlemem redllctiolls. cannot fund from net national savings. problem over a pe riod of decades. Peterson alsodiscllsses Eastern Europe Our current account deficits. for ex­ which I am urging us to do. it is hard to and Lech Walesa. who recelllly made an ample. run roughly two and a half to believe that we wou ld not get agreement appeal to Peterson and Oilier New York three percent of gross national product. that there has been a qualitative Change financial leaders for inl'eSlmelll in In the late 1800s that rate was one and a in the strength of our economy relative Polanll. half percent. But a great deal of money to the rest of the world.

Ripon FOl"llm, December 1989 3 The notion of competitiveness in­ the political system pervasively evades The tax rate to support that increase cludes many factors, but a competitive the resource problem. There is endless would be economically, politically and work force and a competitive education political chatter about the new cliche -­ morally impossible vis-a-vis our own have to rank very high on the scale. Al "regaining competitiveness" -­ kids. without facing what we are prepared to Look at our public invest- give up to get it back. The brute ques­ If you moderate COLAs tions are: Whose consumption is tem­ ment in bridges and high­ porarily cut? What particular spending to 60% of the CPI until the ways. This cannot con­ is needed? year 2000, you would save If you walk down Fifth Avenue in tinue. It's almost embar­ New York, you typically see young men over $100 billion in entitle- rassing to walk down the playing a game called "three-card ment spending per year. street in New York. monte." The aim is to try and guess which one of three cards has money un­ derneath it. Shanker of the American Federation of If you stop and think about it. our Ripon Forum: So, as you write in Teachers told me recently that some­ political economy is like three-card "On Borrowed Time," we should ta:< where between 20 and 30 percent of monte. The president, and Washington Social Security benefits for middle and kids cannot handle change from a two­ generally. says there is a drug upper income recipients? item check in a restaurant or write a "scourge," the environment is a high coherent sentence. They are functional­ priority problem, and education is a Peterson: You also have to limitcost­ ly uncompetitive for the mi:< of future, "crucial" issue. But when we discuss of-living-adjustments for the non-poor. know ledge-oriented jobs. resources, both parties. Congress and The annual COLA increase next year Shanker also pointed out that as sig* the E:Everett Dirksen would call of our high school graduates would have serious deficit reduction packages. and "real money." It is profoundly impor­ real trouble getting into a major foreign President Bush has pledged not to raise tant that our budget refonn be long­ university. taxes, partially out of a belief that Con­ tenn, structural and ultimately credible gress would spend the extra revenue. and persuasive to financial markets. Ripon Forum: That is what the head As far as Social Security benefits go, of a teachers' union said? Peterson: A group of us ex-Cabinet people in my income category are get* sorts got together several years ago and ting back substantially more than we put Peterson: Yes, that's my poim. If you I was astonished how quickl y we agreed in to the system. It's welfare for the talk about what I call the "investment on the probl em -- increasing net savings weallhy, I do not understand the agenda," many people would say that -- and how obvious the solution was -­ education and training have a sig* moderation in the growth of defense nificant competitiveness deficit. spending around a more coherent def­ Over the last 25 years, the Many would also say that our in* inition of our needs and slower growth frastructure is crumbling. which is al* in entitlement spending. Spending increase in entitlement most becoming a cliche. Look at our reductions are the top priority, and these spending has been larger public investment in bridges and high* reductions must be linked in an iron way ways. This cannot continue. It's almost to any consumption-based tax increase, than the entire defense embarrassing to walk down the street in such as a gasoline ta:<. budget. That's just the in­ New York. Water mains are endlessly Over the last 25 years. the increase in crease! breaking and streets are cracking. entitlement spending has been larger rju st returned from Japan, where I saw than the entire defense budget. That's both their subways and bullet trains. In* just the increase! I became e:

4 Ripon Forum. Deamber /989 that only reluctamly pUi together a 514 United States. Ripon Forum: Is government dead. billion deficit reduction plan. and usual­ as TIME Magazine asked a few weeks ly relies on the aUiomatic Gramm-Rud­ Pelerson: The last thing I am propos­ ago? man-Hollings device to cut spending, ing is planning. But both the Japanese how can we expect it -- or the admin­ and Germans have certain economic istration -- to take the lead on these fundamentals that should be bipartisan Some other societies un­ kinds of issues? As you've also written: in this country. For example. without " At bottom, our problems are not productivity improvements, real wage derstand that if you want economic. Rather we are stymied by our growth cannot occur and inflation can­ more of this, you are going lack of political consensus." not be kept under control. Moderate in­ creases in the mo ney supply and to have less of something Peterson: It ·s a bit like a turkey shoot. moderate wage increases related to else. That's the opposite of Everybody says to people like me productivity are also important. This is our "You can have it all. " privately, "Pete. we know you are right. nOt national planning. just basic We have to do something about entitle­ economic sense. ments and the deficit. We need some Our allies criticize us for not having an Peterson: I don 't know if it is dead; it revenue increase. But I'll be damned if agreement on even the most fundamen­ is certainly paralyzed about making any I'm going to be the one that proposes tal principles of growth. We do not have real choices. something just to get my head shot off a long-tenn consensus nor a system that in the process." can make genuine trade-offs or choices. Ri pon Forum: Let's switch to Wall Japan and Gennany's real competi tive Some other soc ieties understand that if Street. How would it respond to a edge is their long-Ienn economic con­ you want more of this. you are going to variety of tax increases, such as a sensus. which we sadly lack. To be sure. have give up something and have less of gasoline tax or an oil import fee or an their consensus may have been bom out it for a while. That is the opposite of our increase in alcohol and cigarette taxes? of crisis: the Gennans profound fear of "you can have it all." The incapacity to hyper-inflation and Hitler, I suppose: make choices th:!1 involve costS is at the Pelerson: Curiously enough, I think and the Japanese because of the destruc­ heart of our problem. The consensus is confronting COLAs and entitl ements as tion of their capital stock during the war all rhetoric and little ac ti on. part of a comprehensive budget reform and their need to become more produc­ Special interest groups in other package would have an electrifying ef­ tive given their lack of resources. countries also are sublimated to some fect on the market. From talks I've had larger and longer tenn sense of the with people on Wall Street. if you We ought to tax Social society's interests. In our cast. the most presented a long-term budget package powerful group is the "grey" or elderly that look balanced -- one part tax in­ Security benefits for people lobby. They strike uner terror in the crease but the larger part structural over a certain income level political system. We saw it recently in spending restraints -- the median the catastrophic health care revision . response is Ihat bond rates would fall who have received back where even the principle that the well­ two fu ll points. the amount they con­ off should pay for the program's Remember our real interest rales are tributed to the system. benefits was considered an anathema. extraordinarily high. as are our capital We all want to get on the wagon. But COS IS. High capilal costs impose a high we do not have a notion of who does the hurdle people have to jump over to ra­ But the Japanese have a rapidly aging pulling and what the costs are. Many of tionalize investment. It would be very society. too. Yet a 1986 study put our allies want to know whether it's useful for politicians to go to Japan to together by their equiv alent of our going to take a crisis to make us con­ understand the great advantages of heallh and welfare secretary said that sider this. having a lot of savings. As the supply there were profound issues of inequality The answer is to come up with a posi­ of savings goes up. the cost of capitaJ in their society. that it was too much of tive vision that is nOI imposed by a nega­ goes down. We need a payoff for our in­ a burden on the economy. and that it was tive authority. Our leaders need to point vestment. due 10 our high capital costs, too unfair to the nation's children. So out a vision of this country which says in half the time. Japan decided to reduce their elderl y that if we make some choices, that benefits by 20 percem over a period of vision could be obtained. But weare not Ripon Forum: How should the rest time. There was hardly a public wimper. gelling that kind of leadership. We are of the United States, not to mention the Recemly. Japan also came up with a not getling an honest discussion of our world. view developments on Wall program to stimulate domestic demand symptoms and of what real long-tenn Street over the lasl couple of years? Are and imports and infrastructure invest­ health would be like. I believe the these periodic "black" days a mere ment. The government issued a report. American people are genuinely con­ series of jolts and corrective measures. the parliament acted on it. and now they cerned. in their gut. about our econom­ or are they reflective of a potential for a are getting annual results. ic future and competitiveness. TIley are fUlUre Wall Street earthquake? ahead of our political representatives on Ripon Forum: But we do not have a this. Peterson: The cliches that started in tradition of government plann ing in the the '60s about global economic inter-

Ripon Forum. DeCf!mber 1989 5 dependence are now coming true. Our osilions that are remarkably difficult for capital marke ts are becoming A stark analysis of the a labor leader. This includes ask ing remarkably inten wi ned. When you are workers to give up subsidies and tem­ dependent on foreign capital to fund Polish economy is that the poraril y restrict certain shops. Imagine current account deficits, a perception country is in the wrong in ­ trying 10 explain the positive outcome abroad can radically affect our stock of those moves to your members. market and economy. dustries. I'm not sure that Somebod y o nce said that an For example, a couple of big Japanese shipbuilding or steel economist's lagtime is a politician's banks looked at the United Airlines production should be their nightmare. If Poland 's transformation leveraged buy-out and concluded, pru­ takes ten years. and during several of dently, I might add. that it was "all major industry. those years progress is absent or even in takeoffs and no landings." Within a decline. the question is. will its political couple of hours the decision of those economy be able to sustain it? two Tokyo banks led to a $200 billion ticular Poland? What should be our I guess the attitude of business people fall in the va lue of stocks on th e public response? here wi ll be very selective. They will American markel. want to make sure that wherever they The eXC hange rate is dominated by Peterson: A stark anal ysis of the put their money, there is a competitive whatever capital does around the world. Polish economy is that the country is in advantage. Too many experiences in Foreign capital flow s are at the hean of the wrong indus tries. I'm not at all sure that pan of the world during the 1960s what happens in the economy. that shipbuilding or steel production and I 970s were prelly cosIl y. This time, It is awk ward to stand tall while on should be a major industry there. let's hope that any public financial sup­ bended knee, which is the ambivalent The Polish problem is one of res truc­ pon is genuinely linked to real market situation we are now in. We talk about turing into areas where their economy reforms. As Lech Walesa lold me, "our autonomy. but the destin y of our has a competitive advantage. Lech system is kaput." • economy is Shifting abroad. Walesa was in New York recently and 1 happily co-chaired a dinner for him. I Ripon Forum: How will the business told the group that among this terrific community respond to appeals for in­ leader's heroic acts was the taking of vestment in Eastern Europe. in par-

Want to Subscribe for a Friend? CanWeThlk? Just $25 Gets a Year of the For future issues, the Ripon Forum is seeking to strengthen RIPON FORUM. its role as a " forum" for Ripon RepUblicans nationwide. We Time Calls Us need your letters with reaction to "Required Reading for our best and worst features, your views on major issues, your Progressive Republicans." activities to spread the pro­ And The Washington Post Says We're gressive Republican message. The best letters will be printed, "A Cabal of Idea-Oriented Party Moderates." SUbject to editing for considera· tions of taste, length and appro­ Send your $25 check now to: THE RIPON SOCIETY priateness for the Ripon Forum 6 Library Court. SE audience. Washington. DC 20003

6 Ripon Forum. December 1989 Should We Copy Japan? industrial ized world? Should our efforts benefi ciaries of MITl's efforts, and all by David A. Fuscus to remain the preeminent world became successful parts of the Japanese economic power incorporate techniques industrial machi ne. ver the past four decades, the the Japanese have used successfull y? Another continuing example of Japanese have pursued Perhaps. Japanese industri al policy concerns O policies, both industrial and NHK, the government-owned broad­ governmental, thai have enabled them cast network. NHK has been trying for to become onc of the richest nations in Should the U.S. adopt an the past several years to gain a compet"i­ history. They have become hyper-com­ live edge for the embryonic High petitivc laking technology and turning it Americanized version of in­ Definit ion Television (HDTV) in­ into salable products and aggressively dustrial policy to ensure dus try. HDTV is a new type of marketing those products to tum them­ continued sllccess? television that has the clarity of a 35mm selves into the exemplar of a modem. movie and the sound quality of compact highl y industrialized society. discs. Many envision the units as the In Ame ri ca, the s uccess of the For much of this decade, there has basis of future e ntertainment centers Japanese and their rece nt penchant for been a debate among U.S. lawmakers that would bring a new reality to sports fle xing their economic muscles have and companies about policies used ef­ and make movies come alive. made them a target for harsh criticism fectively by the Japanese. It's called To help gain an edge in the market, both from politicians and industry. "industrial policy" and involves using NHK has developed a standard for the Recentl y, the hi g hl y publicized the federal government to channel new technology that would double the puchases of Rockefeller Center and private sector resources and federal aid amount of lines per screen and the pic­ Columbia Pictures were two catalysts into emerging industries, allowing them lure changes per second. If other nations for criticism. serving to bring Japan to grow. The debate centers on whether can be convi nced to adopt it. the bashing toourtelev ision screens and car o r not the U.S. should adopt a n Japanese would have a huge lead in es­ radi os. I nteres ting ly, images of Americani zed version of industrial tablishing marke t share when the politicians decrying the evils of an policy to ensure continued economic televisions hit the market. economicall y strong Japan are often success. Many Ameri cans are also considering seen and heard on millions of Japanese Proponents of an industrial policy for governmental help for the HDTV in­ built TV's and radios. the United States commonly refer to dustry. including high ranking members blanket policies of government inter­ of the Bush administration and mem­ THE JAPANESE MODEL ve ntion which have enabled Japanese bers of Congress. The stakes in HDTV fi nns to develop technologies and ex­ are high because the potential tech­ e have a love/hate relati onship pand their international market share. nologies go beyond mere telev ision; it 's W with Japan; we Jove their The mai n organ of industrial policy in an opportunity for the United States to products and s nap up SONY Japan is the Ministry of International regain a foot hol d in cons umer televisions, Honda automobiles and Trade and Industry (MITI), which in­ electronics. The American Electronics Panasonic stereos al a rapid pace; we fluences the Japanese economy by Associati on estimates that over the next also hate the Japanese to the point where trying to change industrial structures or 20 years the industry will be worth up­ political pundits and oUI-maneuvered competitive positions in a market. By wards of $500 billion. The technology businessmen demand protectionist relaxing anti-trust laws or supporting will also allow advances in computer trade policies. market protection, it can vastl y in­ chip manufacturing, memory improve­ Are the Japanese taking over the world fluence an industry'S position relative to ments and progressively better semi­ economy at the expense of the United its competitors. conductors. It 's goi ng to be big busi­ States? The superficial evidence is im­ MITI al so develops consensus or ness and the U. S. wants to ensure a pressive: Honda, Toyota and other finns "visions" of the economy and forms na­ share. have a strong presence here and serve to tional economic priorities; this national remind us that Japan has become at least strategy allows the Japanese to con­ u.S. POLICY our equal on the world economic stage. centrate on paticular markets and foc us But are they really a threat to the Uni ted economic resources. In some cases. ovemm~ nta l help for indi.v idual States? Have they achieved their suc­ they even give direct loans which fur­ G industnes s macks o f dil uted cess by practices unfair to the rest of the ther serve to reinforce the national im­ socialism to many Americans, and such portance of a particular industry. The a notion ostensibly goes against our David A. Fllsclls is a member of the Japanese electronics, computer chip and Ripon Forum editorial board. aut o mobile industries we re a ll continued 011 page1S

Ripon Forum, December 1989 7 EDITORIALS On the Front Burner: Abortion Rights and Radical Congressional Reform that is sadly not the case (see "To The senlatives were equally passionate. STILL ROCKED BY WEBSTER'S Editors," page nine.) Extending a tradi­ Standing out from the more convention­ WAKE tion of being among the leading al restatmenls of abonion-as-murder, Republican c hampions of women's Jim Lightfoot of Iowa said he was an he topic of abortion continues to rights, the Ripon Society's National Ex­ adopted chi ld, uncertain of the cir­ be a painful one for all ecutive Committee adopted a resolution c umstances of hi s conception, and T Americans in the wake of last last Ju ly which reaffirmed an grateful to the mothers of the world who summer's Supreme Coun decision in individual's right to make her own suffer indignity while carrying an un­ Webster v. Reproductive Health Ser­ choices about abonion. The resol ution wanted pregnancy 10 tenn. vices. The Court's murky logic under­ was passed by a large margin. In adopt­ The GOP split is a biller fruit of the mines the broader, wide ly supported ing it, however, Ripon was compelled to Reagan legacy. Ironicall y, while restor­ principle of privacy and in so doing. reject forcefully the pro-life sentiments ing the primacy of the individual versus deepens a split wi thin the Republican of a minority of members, who must ob­ big government in rhetoric, Ronald Party. viously be averse to the growing percep­ Reagan c reated a GOP coalition of After Webster. no longer do women tion of a pro-choice "Iitmus test." landslide proponions by adding to its enjoy an unfettered right to privacy thaI base the na tion 's libertarian and guarantees the option of abortion in the theologicall y conservative constitUlien­ early weeks of pregnancy. By a5-4 mar­ The abortion debate will cies. The coalition held IOgether as long gin. di luted by di ssension and by a lack never be serried unless the as s ubs tantial threats to individual of much elaborated reasoning. the Coun federal government as a freedom appeared remote. and Reagan g Ulled the 1973 Roe v. Wade case in two pressed his battle through speeches, ways. The justices asserted that the gOY­ whole, backed by the symbols, and a quiet renovalion of the emmenl's compelling interest in poten­ society at large, agrees on judiciary. Now, as restrictive ideas are tial human life exists throughout the ascendant in the couns. the GOP coali­ pregnancy, not merely after the fetus be­ the larger framework of tion will be fractured by the depanure of comes viable, and ridiculed Roe 's abortion rights. 'Privacy' mi llions of libenarians, many of them "trimester" framework as "unsound in was and still is that baby-boomers or younger, fonnerl y at­ principle and unworkable in practice." tracted 10 the "go-go" GOP. Despite this frontal assault. the majority framework. It is obvious th is debate wi ll never be found no basis in Webster for recon­ settled unless the federaJ govemment as sidering Roe's emphasis on the right to The schism was also apparent as the a whole -- courts, executive and the privacy. House of Representatives voted in fa vor Congress -- backed by the sociely al On every question raised by the of Medicaid funds for abonions for the large, agrees on the larger framework of Webster case, a hesitant, bitterly vic tims of rape and incest. Five abortion ri ghts. Wilhout such consensus divided coun enlarged the state's inter­ progressive Repl.lblicans too k th e on the big picture, the baltle over abor­ est in unborn life at the expense of in­ podium to make the pro-choice case tion will rage on. Without a broadly-ac­ dividual privacy and judgment, without (Nancy Johnson of Connecticut, Marge ceptable rationale. rooted in the Con­ establishing a legal framework for Rouke ma of New Je rsey. Connie stitution and our national habits, neilher doing so. Instead of resolving a con­ Morella of Maryland, Bill Green of side will back down on what it views as stitutional debate, the Coun intensified New York, Jan Meyers of Kansas). "If a fundamental requirement of civili zed it. Now the fundamental question shifts she is raped by the drug addict next life: "freedom of choice" versus the to what new restrictions the state can door," thundered Johnson, "if she is in­ " ri ght to life." place on abonion, a debate that must vaded by her abusive alcoholic father, " Pri vacy" was and s lill is th at cenainly deepen the chasm between the will you deny he r the legal medical care framework: the venerable " ri ght to be GOP's libertarian and traditiona list your wife or daughter has access to. and lefl alone" is old as the frontier. To bor­ wings. the power over her future ... ?" row a fa shionable phrase from the One might have expected the Ripon Not surprisingly, the pro-life repre- Right. we believe in a federdl govem ­ Society would escape the dilemma, but ment that looks for ways 10 empower

8 Ripon Forum, December /989 people and unleash their free j udge­ fai l to di scern any constitutional or Combine the authorizations and ap­ ment, not restrict it , And privacy is popular mandate fo r curtailing propriationsauthorit y in single commit­ compatible with the anti-abortionists' Americans' freedoms to make our tees and do away with the budget com­ constitutional right to denounce what metaphysical decisions in private. That mittee. Adopt a two-year budget cycle, they view as sin, to discour'dge sexual is sound constitutional doctrine, and with tax-and-spending measures ap­ activ it y outside of marriage, or to sup­ "inclusive"" politics. proved in the odd-numbered year after port women who decide to give birth to elections. With these changes. the an unwanted child. RADICAL CONGRESSIONAL White House could forget about the George Bush, who switched his posi­ REFORM: THE FIRST STEP line- item velo. ti on for Ronald Reagan and now must 2) Cut the congressional budgel by li ve with that choice, insists there is he spectacle of pol itical perestroika 30% over three years, with part icular room in the GOP for citizens on both Tin Eastern Europe has been so emphasis on weeding out make-work sides of the ques ti on. In fact, he should stimu lating that we think it 's time to try commitlee staff and subcommittees know the majority of Republican voters it here. The Republic can probably sur­ with overlapping j urisdictions. Legisla­ favor some fonn of abortion rights. If vive a few more years of the federal tive approprialions for 1990 are almost the president wants to continue the sta!us quo, although one must certainly $2 billion. and to add insult to inj ury, crusade against abortion and hold the ask why we would want to. the distribution of fund s and job slots is part y's ground, then he and party chief For several years now, we have far out of proportion to electi on results. Lee Atwater need to find some power­ believed th at radi cal congressional 3) Cut those official perks thai con- ful magic. refonn is only the firs t step toward more tribute to a 98.6 percent incumbenl The problem wi th the abortion debate ratio nal, representative, ti mely and re-election rate: sky-high franking is that some on both sides think they responsible government. Here's what limits, free TV and rad io studios. must drive the other to the wa ll. Ex­ we recommend and why: newsletters. etc. One·sided, self-ap­ tremi st politics does not senle con­ I) ESlablish a simplified, coherenl plauding, ci ti zen-funded propaganda troversies; it continucs and exacerbates budgel process, Eliminate th e belongs in the Soviet bloc -- and iI' s not them. There are aspects of both extreme ridiculous process under which one believed there either. Our incumbent re­ positions which leave the vast majority commillee autho ri zes a program, election rate is higher than thai of the uncomfortable and dissati sfi ed. another approves fundi ng levels. and Supreme Soviet. Abortion wi ll continue whether it is ye t another sets budget gu idelines. The 4) The Senate should join the House legal or not. The ethical and political status quo is a proven recipe for fi scal and abolish honoraria fo r private questions are what the government may irresponsibi li ty, abuse of the process, gain. Enough said already. • do 10 innucnce the quantity and quality and instability in the finan cial markets. of abonion. We will not favor absol ute Mega-billSco ntaining dozens of "" ri der" re pression or license, nor can we sup­ provisions are fo isted on the president pon restrictions smacking of paternal who must accept them whole or th reaten control over women 's decisions. We to bring government to a halt.

National Abortion Rights Actio n the pressure of a determined minori ty TO: THE EDITORS League. Twenty-two of the 3 1 sup­ or have changed their once pro-choice RE: SEPTEMBER 1989 ported the NA RAL position at least positions. Surely in a democratic EDITORIALS 80% of the time. Twenty·five of 31 at society one appropriate response for least supported the basic right tochoose, pro-choice Republicans is not to con­ he unsigned editorial in the Sep­ although some did not suppon NARAL tinue to support them. The undeniable Ttember Ripon forum erroneously positi ons on government fundi ng vOles. political reality of the Webster decision suggests that the position laken by the Onl y two of the 31 always voted against is that by maki ng abort ion ri ghts more Ripon Society National Executive reproductive ri ghts. If our poli tical com ­ of a legislative issue than it has in the Committee on abortion rights was more munity were the '" microcosm of the past, it is more difficu lt for pro-choice eq ui vocal than it was. In faci our mem­ gene ral public" that th e editorial voters to suppo rt anti-choice can ­ bers look a very clear, strong position on descri bes, the legislati ve outcome on didates. behalf of a woman's right to choose. reproductive ri ghts would be a foregone Signed by the following members of Opposing views supponing abortion conclusion. the Ri pon Society National Executi ve restrictions were heard and considered The editorial should not confuse our Committee: at the NEe meeti ng, but we adopted a readiness to respect principled differen· Keiko DeLille pro-choice position. The ed itorial did ces of opinion on the issue with a dis­ Nancy Draper not full y express the opinions of the regard for a candida te's views when Eileen Green NEe. deciding whcther to support them. As Ken Grossberger The editorial suggests that Ripon 's pro-choice Republ icans we are painful­ Bill Lithgow political community is more divided on ly aware that we have supported many John Merriman the issue than is the case. During the Republican candidates who either ex­ Steve Rolandi course of the NEC deliberations we plain thei r anti-choice positi on based on Mark Uncapher reviewed the records of 31 "Ripon" the political expediency of catering to John Vorperian legislators on key votes identified by the •

Ripon Forum, December 1989 9 WHAT GEORGE BUSH SHOULD SAY IN THE STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE II late January or early February. dress in this chamber, and it is those hind? I hear many Americans express President Blish will deliver his three words thai best represent the hope concern that fore igners are buying our I second State of the Union Message of Americans and free people the world country: that we can't compete; that our to Congress and the American people . over. exponers are being treated unfairly; that The editors of the Forum. along with Tonight. after 12 months in the White we shou ld "retaliate," Some have even sel'erai Ripon mcmhers. lwl'e decided to House, I am pleased to repan to you that said that our economic competitors are oj'sist th is task by compiling an address this union remains a beacon of light to a greater threat to the United States than they wOllld like George Blish to deliver. peoplcs of different creeds, colors and dictatorial communism! The following statement is neither a nationalities. After 200 years of self· comp/elf! nora corporate document. bur governance, America is still a radical comriburors if/elllde Ripon national e:

10 Ripon Forum, December /989 resuil is that all of us -- American and For instance, if another naval task many studies thereafter. ally -- are becoming ri cher. force must be sent to protect allied oil The focus of federal policy must con­ What Ameri ca needs is not greater shipments in the Persian Gulf, money tinue to enable low-income. hand­ retaliation against our allies. but greater would becollected by the fund and paid icapped. li mited English speak ing and cooperation with them. In government. over to the governments of the navies other at-risk groups to have an equal op­ there are some programs -- such as the actuall y employed. Similarl y. through portunity to obtain an excellent educa­ police force -- which are locall y­ the fund. we might jointly aid the less tion. Their training will enable more oriented and financed locall y. There are developed debtor nations. help the Americans to become contributors to some programs which are statewide and emerging democ racies in Eas tern society and enter the mainstream of financed by the states. And there are Europe. finance th e exploration of American life. some programs which are national in space. fund ad vanced science projects, We recognize that early intervention scope and financed by the nation. promote medical research. improve the through a program such as Head Stan environme nt and maintain secure has a disproportionate positive impact The new Free World defense forces in Europe and Asia. on a student 's ability to succeed. We Any nation could opt out of any fund­ will continue to increase funding for Fund would restore in­ ing program. but its decision would be those programs and focus attention on creased/airness in allied explicit and subject to the disciplines of the educationally at-risk students. international opinion and nati onal We must al so reduce the dropout rale burden sharing, doing honor. Additionally. pacifisti c nations and increase adult literacy. Our nation much to eliminate our own such as Japan could contribute without cannot tolerate the current illiteracy budget and trade deficits. reanning themselves. "Free riding" problem which deprives both young and would therefore be reduced. old of an opportunity to be productive The new Free World Fund would re­ stude nts and workers. But there are also programs which store increased fairness in allied burden While parents contin ue 10 have the benefi t more than just onc nation: which sharing. doi ng much to eliminate our primary ri ght and responsiblity for benefit the enlire free world alliance. own budget and t.rade deficits. At the Yet there is now no effec tive same time. the fund would reduce allied It should be apparent to mechanism to fund these supra-nation­ trade tensions and would ensure our al­ al allied programs. lies that necessary free world programs each American that ed­ The United Nations is a worthwhile in­ won' t be cut . It would also provide ucation is central to im- stitution, but it is bound by the con­ Japan and Europe wi th a meaningful straints of partisans. And such allied or­ voice in allied affai rs because programs proving our economic com­ ganil.ations as NATO. which the Free th ey oppose will not receive their petitiveness. World Fund will bui ld upon in develop­ financing. ing common interests. are purposefully Of course. America or any other na­ education of their children. our nation narrow in scope. tion will retain the right to pursue its needs a massive cooperaliveeffort from The result is that America. as the own ends with its own funds. as is the busi ness and industry, private and strongest ally. is carrying a dispropor­ case today. But by working together. the public education institutions and sys­ tionate share of the weight. For ex­ fund will keep America from becoming tems. communities. states, and the ample. America wi ll pay close 10 $300 isolated from our friends in Europe and federal government. billion in 1990 for the free world's Asia as the world continues to change We must also engender competition defense while Japan pays only $30 bil­ rapidly. Our alliance will then emerge within and between school systems so lion. Yet bothnations depend eq uallyon stronger than ever. that parents will have choices as to those forces. where to send their chi ldren. Magnet It is wise to reduce our defense spend­ Educational Improvement schools. alternalive schools and private ing as the Cold War thaws. However. if education needs to be emphasized so our budget deficits fo rce us to cut our t s hould be apparent to each that those programs wh ich are working defense spending. foreign aid and other I American that education is central 10 will be enhanced and Ihose that are free world effort s too far. we are en­ improving our economic competitive­ failures will be eli minated. dangering our allies' fUlUre as well as ness. I thus believe that the continued Implicit in choice and competition is our own. focus of our federal effort in education the need for accountability and evalua­ Tonight,l call on our allies to join wi th should be simple: to promote excel­ tion of perfonnance of students and us in the formation of a new common lence. enhance parental choice. improve teachers. We must continue 10 reward fund -- the "Free World Fund" -- to literacy and ensure accoumability. excellence in learning. in teaching and promote and finance our shared goals. An increase in fund ing of federal in administration. Both students and The fund wi ll collect contributions from education programs. however, will not teachers mu st be tested regularly in each economicall y developed. free solve our nation's education problems. ord er to measure their progress and to world nalion in proportion to the size of To some extent, those very programs ensure that standards are kept high. its economy and channel those funds have been a cause of our educati on School boards should provide merit pay into projects which are mutually con­ dilemma. This was firs t documented by and career ladder rewards to recognize sidered to further free world interests. the Department of Education's 1983 excellent teaching. report "The Na tion al Ri sk." and by

Ripon Forum. December 1989 II Curriculum provided, and detennined, immigrants would not be subject to the incentives: and 7.) exploring, in an im­ at the state and local level should in­ annual ceilings in the existing admis­ aginative way. whether capital works clude broadbased teaching in history, sions quota system. The sponsors will programs can be developed to restore. culture, geography and languages of be responsible for necessary health, repair and expand the city infrastructure key nations. educational and social services for a by using the people and funds that other­ In addition to th e primary federal transitional period of five to seven wise would be used for welfare for heal­ focus of supponing the educati onall y years. In return. the sponsored im­ thy. unemployed adults. at-ri sk populations, some federal fu nds migrant will co-operate with the spon­ must contin ue to be used to reward ex­ sor, using its resources. such as job and THE NATlON'S HEALTH AND cellence through merit and model language education to reach economic ENVIRONMENT school programs. self-sufficiency and full panicipation in At the post-secondary level, we must American life. n deli vering my State of the Union continue to focus funding on vo ucher­ Many voluntary organizations already I address last year, I stated that I would like programs which target funds to perfonn a diversified range of services honor our commitment to Canada to low-income students. Default rmes in for immigrants. Histori call y the vol un­ combat acid rain by requesti ng full and tary sector has assisted new arrivals in expedited funding for our nation's Our immigration policy adjusting to American life. A sponsor­ Clean Coal Technologies program. I ship program is a logical extension of have promised that clean air and the en­ must again be guided by the role already perfonned by th ese vironment would be top priorities for the principles of the Swtue agencies. my administration. I was not and I am This proposal. re lyi ng upon private in· IJ.Q1 blowing "hot air." of Liberty, rather than the itiative by Ameri cans to assist new im­ statute of Iimitiation. I am migrants to become produc tive I have promised that proposing that private or­ Ame ri cans. reflects the spirit of American values at their best. clean air and the environ­ ganizations be permitted to ment would be top prioities sponsor individual im­ Ur ban Policy for my administration. I migrants into th e U.S. ince many of these new immigrants was not and I am not blow­ Swill be residing in our ci ties, this ing "hot air." the federal student loan programs must provides only another reason fo r a be reduced and some methods to make strong urban policy. Citi es throughout repayment income-contingent will be history have been the citadels of most In 1989. tremendous headway was explored, Vocational-technical educa­ advanced civilizations. but our urban made by Congress in reauthorizing the lion will be emphasized through ex ist­ centers are too often burned-out shells Clean Air Act with new. stri ngent and ing federal programs in order to prepare of poveny, drugs. crime and despair. achievable standards. I am convi nced the existing and fut ure workforce forthe If our nat ion is to re main a world that shonly we will have a lasting. posi­ rapidly changing technology of tomor­ leader, we must have a comprehensive tive and healthful impact on every row. federal policy to restore America's American. cities to greatness. Thi s pol icy must re ly However, as a world leader. the Uni ted RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES primarily upon private sector initiatives States has an important role to fi ll . In and innovation, using limited federal fu lfill ing that role. our environmental t our best we are a nation of dreams dollars and tax incentives as a catalyst vision must not be myopically directed A-- dreams of opponunity, of per­ for private investment. at the impact of pollution on just the sonal expression and of a bener life for Our federal urban policy should thus Uni ted States. The newly recognized ourselves and our families. Our nation include these aims: 1.) eSlablishing a threats to the global environment of celebrates this spirit of freedom and op­ national goal of eliminating homeless­ stratospheric ozone depletion and ponunity and the success of those who ness within three years: 2.) enacti ng a global wanning know no boundaries. have come to our country and unlocked hous ing program that provides Where the United Slates is a major con­ their own potential and enriched all our mortgage assistance for low income tributor to an environmental problem, lives. The li ves of generations of im­ fami lies. tax breaks for first time buyers we must work to develop a solution. migrants confinn that our country has and incentives to build or renovate Where the United States can assist other kept its special promise. homes in city centers: 3.) concentrating nations in curbing their pollution But our immigration policy must again the war on drugs in speci fi c inner city problems we mu st stand ready to be guided by the principles of the Statue communities. such a~ is occuring here provide American pollution technology of Libeny. rather than the statute of in Washington. D.C.: 4.) targeting and "know-how." I am pleased by the limitation. I am proposing tonight that federal education aid on innovative init iatives undenaken by William Reil­ private, voluntary social services or­ programs in the inner city: 5.) refonning ly at the Environmental Protection gani7..ations. churches. heritage groups. the we lfare system and expanding Agency to broaden our environmental local governments and employers be Medicaid to stress preventive and child role in the international arena: however, permillcd to sponsor individual im­ care: 6.) encouraging job creation and there is more work to be done. migrants into the U.S. These sponsored training through tax free zones and other

12 Ripon Forum. December 1989 As the second session of the 10Ist Americans without health insurance is divides this country more sharply or Congress gets underway I will be sub­ also a national liabi lity. Likewise, in­ emotionally than any other: the question milling legislation to Congress calling adequate provision for long-ternl care of abonion. I continue to personaUy op­ for an all-out ban on the expon of haz­ for an aging population is an issue that pose abonion. But I also believe that in ardous wastes for disposal to countries continues to plague th e American a democratic society we must all respect that do not currently have a bilateral people. principled differences of opinion, par­ agreement with the United States. This But the problems can be so lved ticu larly those which are deeply rooted legislation wi ll be to ensure that such in fundame nta l re ligious and wastes are tremed in a manner that is We can and lIlustfind a philosophical beliefs. I must acknow­ protective of human heallh and the en­ ledge that no clear national consensus vironment. Upon proposing that legisla­ way to reassert our world now exists to support new restrictions tion. I will also be signing the Basel leadership role in interna­ such as a constitutional amendment Convention. Currently, 34 nations have prohibiting all abonions. signed th e Convention. which. if tionalfamily planning, As I promised in my campaign. I reach brought into force, will ensure that haz­ while preventing the use of out my hand to those on both sides of ardous waste shipments will be safe. I U.S.funds in cOlilltries th is issue and seek new ways to build am hopeful that the Senate will act consensus. We can and must find a way quickl y in ratifying the Basel Conven­ which conduct forced obor­ to reassert our world leadership role in tion. tions or sterilizations. international family planning. whi le In addition to protecting against un­ preventing the use of U.S. funds in safe shipments of hazardous waste. I countries wh ich conduct forced abor­ will be requesting that Congress direct through a constructive pannership be­ tions or steri li zations. I oppose federal more financial aid 10 Eastern European tween the private sector and govern­ funding of abortions. but recognize Ihat and Asian countries to assist those ment. Too often federal policy. driven cenain exceptions involving violent countries wishing to develop new en­ by budget deficit reduction goa1s. has crime and the woman's life must be per­ vironmental standards to combat pollu­ distoned the marketplace and shifted milled in a civ ili zed society. Further. I tion problems in their countries. costS to the pri vate sector. Slates have support the right of states to set policy We are mov ing into the last decade of inhibited cost controls and innovation governing the expenditures of their tax the 20th Century, a decade that will be through excessive regulntion. revenue as established by the Supreme filled with tremendous global environ­ Federal policy shou ld thus seek to Coun. mental challenges. Though daunting. provide every consumer with the choice All women should have full infonna­ those challenges are not insunnount­ of a quality managed health care option, tion regarding the means of preventing able. I look forward to working with such as a health maintenance organiza­ conception and the options for un­ Congress to provide future generations tion preferred provider organization or planned pregnancies. I believe we must of mankind with clean air that is health­ integrated network of health care ser­ bener suppon research into morc effec­ fu l to breathe and clean water that is vices. These programs promote disease tive means of contraception and am con­ wholesome to drink. prevention and health maintenance; fident that we can regulate research eliminate unneeded or inferior service using fetal tissue in a manner which Health Care Policy through utilization review and quality respects ethical concerns yel still holds assumnce programs: make use of only promise for many Americans ban ling f course, more than clean ai r and experienced prov iders with a record of crippling diseases. Finally, if we are Owater are needed to ensure the delivering quality service efficiently; serious about preventing abonion. we health of the American people. We need enable consumers to be beller infonned must better address the responsibilities a coherent federal care policy that builds buyers of services: and employ a pay­ that accompany sex ual intimacy. upon the strengths of our nation's health ment system that encourages the care system. These attributes include its delivery of qualily care in a cost-con­ Child Care quality and divers ity and the oppor­ scious setting. !Unity for innovation that is possible Also, through tax incentives. ex­ et me also add that I am commined only in a free and competitive society. panded ER ISA preemption and mandat­ L to the passage of a child care bi ll But the problems confronting our ing a managed care option under that meets the needs of American health care system are serious. This in­ Medicare, Medicaid and The HMO Ac t. families and recognizes thei r legi timate, cludes the primary issue of rapidly es­ federal policy should encournge the use differing child care needs. For instance, calating costs. In 1988. for instance. of managed care to hold down costs, ex­ I support providing money directly to health care costs for U.S. industry in­ pand coverage to the uninsured and low-income fami lies through expansion creased by 22 percent. Those increases deliver Medicare and Medicaid services of the Earned Income Tax Credit. are ha vi ng an adverse impact on our in­ more cost effectively. coupled with funding child care grants ternational competiti veness. As an ex­ through an increase in Title XX of the ample, the Chrysler Corporation pays Reproducti ve Rights a nd Family Social Services Block Grant. $700 in health care benefits for each Planning This approach provides parents with new car compared to $200 per car paid the full range of options for the ir by its foreign competitors. L et me tum now to a subject that children's care. It build~ on existing The growing pool of 31 to 37 million govern ment programs rather than creat-

Ripon Forum, December 1989 t3 ing new ones, and does nOI drown year, $938 million plan which provides PROPOSALS FOR families and chi ld care workers in red food aid, private enterprise funds and tape and bureaucracy. technica l assi stance for va riou s GEORGE BUSH'S economic projects in Poland and Hun­ STATE OF THE I support providing gary. UNION MESSAGE After 45 years of contro lled decision money directly 10 low-in­ making, the Eas t's restructuring come families through ex­ demands creatitivy of an unusual order. So tonight I have suggested the creation -- Creak a D~W "Free World pansion of the Earned In­ of a " Free World Fund" thai will build Fund" witb nations cootributing come Tax Credit, coupled upon the securi ty alliance NATO has accord'DI to tbe size of tb~lr with funding child care provided the U,S. and Western Europe economy; since World War II. •• Use the "Free World FUDd" to grants through an increase promote and nnance sbared goals, in Title XX. The direct investment in such as belpinl the emerglnl democracies in Eastern Europe our common future with and maintaining defense forces in Also I would consider some modest those countries just now Europe and Asia; additional programs 10 stimu late the •• Focus federal educational supply of child care services. but only if tasting the sweetness of policy on enabling "at-risk" they did not discriminate against care democracy's potential will populations to obtain an excellent fac ilities in churches and did not ensure that America's most education; provide overly proscri ptive federal •• Proposethat private, voluntary regulations. essential export -- the love social orlanizations, churches, offreedom -- is maintained. beritage groups, local govern· INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ments and employers be permitted AND OUR COMMON FUTURE to sponsor individual immigrants This new fund of common interests into the U-S.; s you know. last December 2 and 3 can achieve for Europe's fu tu re what •• Exempt sponsored immigraou A I and members of my administra­ NATO has accomplished for its past. rrom annual ceilings in the existing ti on met with Soviet President Mikhail The United States' initial contribution admissions quota system; Gorbachev and his team of advisers. of $2.5 bill ion wil l come from the judi­ -- Promote a seven.part urban Many of the topics we discussed. such cious defense reductions Secretary of policy wbicb uses limited federal as future arms agreements. were Defense Richard Cheney. in consult­ dollars and tax incentives to stir brought about by the changes taking ation wi th allied leaders, is now putting private investment; place in his COUniry and the Eastern together. •• Emphasize the need for a Clean bloc. In my budget for fi scaJ year 1991 I will Air Act; stress tbat global warm­ Those changes abroad are ex traor­ ask Congress for a $285 bi llion defense Ing and ozone depletion no know dinarily exciting. if not glorious events budget. This represents savi ngs of $20 national boundaries; and submit to watch. They prove that the domino bi llion over the lasl fi scal year, but in no legislation for a comprehensive theory can work. except the countries way jeopardizes our international or na­ ban on the export of hazardous being toppled arc totalitari an com­ tional security inlerests. wastes to countries tbat do not mun ist n ati o ns. no t democ ratic In fact, the savings should be seen as have a bilateral agreement witb capitalist ones. an investment in our future, The chan­ the U-S.; These fas t advances have left many in ges can affect our budget deficit, which -- Promote a health care policy the West wondering about our response. is critically linked to our trade deficil. that provides every consumer with Before addressing that question, let me As America's economic house is put the choice of quality managed say thank you to our allies who have in order, our role in the world wi ll con­ health care options, remained steadfast overthe last 45 years tinue to be respected. And the di rect in­ -- Reassert our leadership role in in their detenninalion to keep themsel­ vestment in our common fu tu re with internalional family planninl, ves -- and other nations -- strong and those countries just now lasting the whl&t preventing the use of funds free . sweetness of democracy's potential wil l in countries that conduct forced Lei me also repeat to Mikhail Gor­ ensure that America's most essemial ex­ abortiom or sterilizations; bachev that we appreciate his desire to port -- the love of freedom -- is main­ •• Provide full information place the Soviet Union -- and OIher tained. regarding tmeans of preventing Eastern bloc countries -- into the camp Distingui shed leaders and America's conception and options for un- of nations that consider openness and citizens. let me assure you Ihal "We the planned pregnancies. • competiti veness valuable and practical people" is a concepl Ihal is having a ideals. resounding ri ng around the world. But the victory is not yet won. Trying Good night, God bless you and God limes have not [efl Eastern Europe. That bless America. • is why I recently signed into law a three-

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Ripon Forum. December 1989 15 Helping a Troubled School System: Baltimore's Unique Approach ing "a third world within our own downtown development is now turning By Veronica DiConti country." Increasingly, the cost of its attention to the public schools. The teaching math and reading is being beginning of a public-private panner­ ver since the release of "A Na­ pushed along to the corporation. It is es­ ship exists which could make the city lion AI Risk" by the Reagan timated that American business is now known for an aggressive and innovative administration's National Com­ E operating a "shadow" education system approach to helping its deeply troubled mission on Excellence in 1983, educa­ costing some $60 billion a year to train school system. tion reform has been at the lOp of the employees, frequently in subjects they COUnlry's agenda. Thai repon detailed should have learned in the public the real and practical problems faci ng schools. the United States if the quali ty of the Baltimore provides one At the local level, the future of cities public schools was not significantly en­ has become reliant on maximizing one example ofa city which hanced. of the resources they control-- labor. " I has been forced to enhance Today's concern about the quality of talk to people again and again about the schools stems from two basic ap­ labor potential and produc­ where they are locating a facility, and prehensions about the nalion's work the quality of the work force is one of tivity to further economic force. The first is that while the labor their major delenninants," says Roben force is becoming morc technological. development. Embry, fanner head of the Baltimore students are leaving high school inade­ school board and president of Baltimore quately prepared for either the work Cit y's Abell Foundation. Embry added Private sector involvement actuall y world or higher education. TIle SC(.;Qnd that the chances of someone locating a began in the Baltimore public schools in apprehension is about a shrinking labor new facili ty to an area that has a poor­ the early 19705. The Greater Baltimore pool. "Youth 2,000," a study published ly-motivated and poorly-educated work Cornmiuee. which counts over 1,000 by the U.S. Departments of Labor, force are remote. area businesses as ils members, began &lucation, and Health and Human Ser­ with the "Adopt-a-School" program. vices, indicates that by the tum of the BALTIMORE'S EXPERIENCE Strategicall y and cautiously. the Grealer century there will not be enough ade­ Baltimore Committee increased their quately educated workers to fill entry­ altimore provides one example of a partnerships in the schools and began level jobs in the United States. These city which has been forced to en­ creating pannerships in the larger com­ two deficiencies come at a time when B hance labor potential and productivity munity. the demand for workers in new fields is to further economic development. For example. in January 1985 the great. During the past two decades, Baltimore Greater Baltimore Committee and the Recently one of the schools' most out­ became a national model for innovative grass-roots church organization, spoken critics has been American busi­ public-private partnerships in urban BUILD (Baltimoreans United In ness. Facing a work fo rce lacking in renewal and downtown development. Leadership Development). announced such basic skills as reading, writing and Urban renewal also changed the city's the beginning of a program designed to simple computation, members of the economy from a manufacturing base to give every high school graduate a business community feel thaI they are a service-dri ven sector. chance at a job. The project, dubbed the no longer being provided with com­ At the hean of this new employment "Commonwealth Agreement ," was petent employees. Brad M. Butler, problem, however, are the public based on the "Boston Compact" that former chairman of the Procter & schools. The Baltimore public school began in 1982. Gamble Company, fears we are creat- system, with over 100,000 students, is A primary componelll of the Agree­ faced with several challenges. On any ment is that studenls who meet cenain Veronica DiConti is pursuing her doc­ given school day, 14,000 students are requirements receive a pass port at torate at 101m Hopkins University in absent from the city's schools. Half the graduation. The requirements are that Baltimore and is a recent recipient of a students entering ninth grade thi s year students are expected 10 have a 95% at~ Ripon Educational Fund Mark O. Hat­ will drop out before graduation. Fewer tendance rate in their last two years of field Scholarship. This article is ex­ than a quarter of those who manage to high school , and an overall 80% grade cerpted from her work as a Hatfield graduate will go on to college. average. Scholar. which provided a case study of To deal with these shoncomings. the When the passport concept was the Baltimore school syslem. private sector that once focused on originated, over 110 Baltimore finns

16 Ripon Forum. December /989 gave participating students preferential­ The new effort is a strategy which tion. was created in 1988. Collegbound hiring treatment. But soon it was dis­ brings together all the available resour­ provides fi nancial aid to take the SAT covered that more was needed to ces of the private sector and the city for tests. complete college applications. motivate students and help the city's a more effec ti ve and focused effort. and for gap financing - a gray area schools. The compre hensive strategy of the where a college aid packet may not fu ll y In 1986, th e Greate r Baltimore Baltimore Commonwealth promises meet the student 's entire financial Commi uee's Economic Council con­ June 1989 grad uates job interviews. needs. ducted a detailed survey ofthe problems pri ority hi ring by over 157 firms, help The purpose of Project Collegebound. and concerns of 200 companies in the wi th writing resumes and assistance a separate organi zation which includes metropolitan region. "We asked CEO's with the interview process . The cit y's many Ba ltimore Commo nwealth what they look fo r in enlry-Ievel Office of Employment Training will people. is to moti vate students who employees that they hired right out of also evaluate un successful job can· would not normally thi nk about the high school," says Jeff Valentine, the didates and provide additional prospects of college. '"It is taking any Greater Baltimore Committee's deput y academic or job training assistance to child that th inks they want to go to col­ director for public policy. Besides the improve employabilit y. A program lege and helping them along." says three Rs, Valentine says that the Bal ­ called "Jobs and Career Clubs" has also Embry. So far. the foundation has raised timore area business wanted people been started in the schools. $10 million with an overall goal ofrais· who were not necessarily trained. but As the program evolves. changes al­ ing $25 million. who we re trainable. They wanted ready are underway. In June 1989. the employees to show up to work every academic standard was dropped. Pad CONCLUSION day and on time, and know what is ex­ Waddell . assistant manager for the pected of them in the work place. For Common wealth Youth Employment ow dependent is the future of the the Greater Baltimore Committee. the Services. said that when the Common­ H school system on private sector in­ survey results underscored the need for wealth partners evaluated the services volve ment? Kalman R. "Buzzy" Het­ a more intensive endeavor with the Bal· to students in the schools, many services tieman, an aide to Mayor Kurt timore public schools. were already available for economical­ Schmoke, is extremely pleased that the By 1986. Boston had expanded its ly disadvantaged students and students private sector is involved in the Bal­ program to include assistance for col­ identified as "at ri sk" of dropping out of timore City school system. He finds that lege under the ACCESS program. But school. So what's left? Alilhe students the business. foundation and com­ when organizers of Baltimore's Com­ in the middle that didn 't get services munity groups have been helpful in monwealth Agreement looked at the under any of these programs and who bringing resources and attention to the Boston Compact. they found an in­ might not make the grade point average schools. But he adds, not unexpectedl y, crease in the drop-out rate, youth un­ for the Commonwealth. "When you're that "a lot more needs to be done." The employment and absenteeism. Valen­ a city such as Baltimore. with the in­ need is for "smaller class sizes, more tine noted that the Boston experience dustry changing to be more services­ textbooks, and more resources." Mr. was instructive to the partners of Com­ oriented.lyou) have to address that big Hettleman finds that the most important monwealth. As he said, " It told us that range of normal kids." role the private sector can play is to j ust ho lding out incent ives isn ' t But so far. only 28 percent of the 1989 demand that this country educate its enough." What was needed was more of graduating class qualified forCommon­ work force. The Baltimore approach a helping hand for chi ldren to success­ wealth . That's roughly 1.400seniorsout may be instructi ve to public-pri vate fu ll y go through school. of 4,800 students. To reach more stu­ pannerships in schools across the na­ de nts and at an earlier age, future plans tion. The pivotal aspect of Baltimore's NEW REFORMS by the Commonwealth members will strategy is the sense of community incl ude programs for students starting responsibi lity to Change the schools. fter Mayor Kurt Schmoke was with the sixth grade. Although the Other programs. such as the Boston A elected to office in 1987, the design is now being developed, the Compact. have been less successful be­ Greater Baltimore Commit1ee and partners intend to draw upon cause the solution entailed business tell ­ BUILD saw an opening to include the Baltimore's cultural and entertainment ing the schools to improve the quality of mayor's office in the Commonweallh. institutions. inc luding museums. the students. So in February 1988, the Common­ National Aquarium, and the symphony, But solvi ng the problems of the Bal­ wealth Agreement was ex panded to the among others. to provide "life experien­ timore school syStem is no longer striCt­ " Baltimore Commonwealth." ces" to students who are generally from ly the responsibility of school officials This time the Commonwealth was a economically disadvantaged back­ and teachers. The solutions for the compact between Mayor Schmoke, the grounds. school systcm may lie in mobilizing the city's Office of Employment Develop­ resources of the community as a whole. ment. the cit y schools. the Private In­ COLLEGIATE POSSIBILITIES The idea is that the community must dustry Council. the Greater Baltimore help the schools in order for the city to Commillee and BUILD. Before the ex­ hat about college for Baltimore's maximize its labor potential and allow pansion of Commonwealth, Valentine W students? In an effort to remove the social o rder to survive. said there was a lot of energy and the financial barriers students face in resources be ing expended on the continuing Iheireducation, Project Col· • schools but in an inefficient manner. legebound, a privately funded founda -

Ripon Forum, December 1989 17 comlfi,wed fro m page 7 anti-trust laws to allow competing firm s to conduct joint research. Since then, MallY Americans are CO/1- tradition of free tr.tde and a competitive over 125 cooperatives have been marketplace. Indeed. a valid criticism formed. sidering help for the of industri al policy proposals is that One of the most visible consorti ums HDTV industry, including they wo uld tend to favor big companies was formed last May by International and exclude the smaller. entrepre neurial Bu sin ess Mach ines. Ame rican members of Ihe Bush ad­ firms that are such a strong part of our Telephone and Telegraph and the Mas­ ministration. industrial heritage. What if Japanese­ sachusetts Institute of Technology. style industrial policy had been in effect They have joined hands to try and seize changing at an unprecedented rate and when some of our greatest companies the lead in supe rconductor technology. we need to make sure the United States slarted as the dreams of ambitious Superconductors are ceramic materials is at the forefront. so we can be a pro­ entrepreneurs? Would Fo rd a UI O­ that allow electricity 10 now through gressive force in shaping these changes. mobiles or Apple computers be around them with no re sistance. efficiently The present economic posi tion of the today if the government had been in a using energy. If developed to the poi nt U.S. is an ever changing economic position 10 help large r companies o f c omme rcial use. they could structure. one thai our leaders must develop simil:tr products? re volutioni ze computers. motors. com­ work to maintain and enhance; we can George Bush has stated his opposition mercial powe r and transportation. The onl y do that by constant allention to to industrial planning and that the economic benefits are staggering. emerging industries and their role in our fede ral gove rnme nt should not be The organization. the Consortium for future economic structu re. To do this. "picking winners and losers in the Superconducting Electronics. along we need to im plement the besl stra tegies pri vate sector." But wi th HDTV. his ad­ with a government-sponsored lab. lin­ available to our government . even if ministration is caut iously moving for­ coln Laboratori es. was formed on the they are ones that we have not used in ward with a form of industrial planning. recommendation of a commillee of the the pasl. Of course. blanket programs. Commerce Secretary Robert Mos- White House Science Council. They taken in their entirelY . without cus­ bacher. an accomplished businessman viewed the fo rmation of such a consor­ tomizing them. may ne ver work for the and close Bush fri end. is a fan of help­ tium as vital in the U.S. race to stay United States. However. il onl y seems ing U.S. companies become competi­ ahead in superconductor development. prudent to look at. and perhaps imple­ ti ve in HDTV. He and his department II is being funded by the Defense Ad­ ment. policies thaI have work ed well are moving towards proposals that vanced Research Agency and each of for other nations. wo uld give companies proteCi ion the participating organizations. The Bush administration and sub­ against anti -trust laws, tax benefit s and Each partner in the venture has con· sequent presidents should look how in­ financial help. The proposals are not tributed staff who will be governed by dustrial policy and consortiums have po licies ye t. bUI there is movement. The managers named by the consonium. All worked for Japan. Implemented on a Defense Advanced Research Projects three will share in the research and MIT targeted basis and applied to specific in­ Agency is also involved and plans have will get a share of any commercial dustries. they could work for us. been authori zed to pump millions into profits. And if those profits are Emerg ing industri es such as Hi gh research over the next several years. generated. it will be because of the help Defi nition Television are so important The Bush admini stration effort s are a from the federal government. to our futu re economic stalUS that we small attempt to see if a form of in­ must be innovmive in ensuring a large dustrial policy will work in America. AMERICA'S POSITION market share. Governmental help for but specters of the past still exist. The the HDTV industry would help ensure U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation. a hile the joint research and that we have a chance of capturing pan company set up by the government to W government help for nedgl ing of an enormous futu re market. The Bush extract synthe ti c oil from coal. is one industries is an in grained part of administration has moved sli ghtl y example. It wasted billions. Japanese society. it is rdatively new to towards this end and they should con­ For years. the Japanese government the United Stmes. We have no way of tinue. has supported another device which has judging whether or not such ventures Wholesale copying of what worked e nj oyed great success: the estab­ will be successful in the United States. for the Japanese will not work for us be­ lishment and operation of industrial we can onl y try . cause it doesn't reflecl our individual consortiums. Groups of Japanese com­ Since World War II. the United States need, but the use of some of their sue­ panies have long banded together to has been the dominant world economic cessfultechniques could help us prepare pool research and company talent: power. often writing the rules for com­ for a vastl y different economic future. members of the consoniums share in petition. The pace of technological Relaxing anti-trust laws to allow our su­ discoveries and sometimes even market change and the subsequent evolution of perconductor consonium to manufac­ products together. Supporting consor­ the world economy since 1945 has not ture and market prooucls would allow tiums has been a successful policy in allowed one nation to remain sup reme. us to tum leads in research and develop­ Japan and it bears ex panded consider.t­ Other nations ha ve advanced and ment into a lead in the marketplace. ti on in the United States. caught up with the United States. to the Should we copy Japan? If it can help Industrial cooperation of th is type has point where several nations and blocs of our economy and maintain our indus- onl y been possible in the United States nations dominate the world economy. trial strength , the answer is yes. • since 1984 when Congress re worked Today. the world economic structu re is

18 Ripon Forum, December / 989 Michael DeLand and the Cleaning of America CEQ's original role," which is "to serve by William P. McKenzie as an ' honest broker' among various department and agencies." he sawdust coll ecting in The Council's major objecti ves, as Michael Deland's Old Execu­ stipulated under the Nalional Environ­ T tive Office Building suite may mental Quality Act of 1969, are to ad­ lead you to believe that George Bush vise the president and oversee the does not reall y intend to be the "en­ NEQA. In laymen's terms. that means vironmental president. " Aft er all. wh y publishing an annual report and ensur­ place your in-house environmental ad­ ing that federal agencies consider the viser in a make-shift room that requ ires environ m e nt al impact of their a six -foot stationery fan to circulate of­ decisions. fice air? According to DeLand. the Council's That DeLand. the presidenl's newly­ statement must be published in a "more president recently met in the Roosevelt appointed chainnan of the Council on ti mely fashion," Critics hope the Coun­ Room (as in Theodore Roosevelt. Environmental Quality, is even in the cil wi ll also put forth some major initia­ another Republican envi ronmentalist) While House. however, is a sign Ihal the tives, which it did under Presidents with representatives of the Environ­ president takes environmental issues Ni)(on, Ford and Carter but not under mental Defense Fund. And the day this seri ously. Consider DeLand's predeces­ President Reagan. visitor spoke with Deland, members of sor. Alan Hill . who loiled a block away De Land's initial moves aro und the Audubon Society we re also paying from the White House with a staff of Washington indicate hi s shop wi ll in­ a call. only 13 people and never met privately deed be moving forward, The new These are signs of progress on a front with Ronald Reagan during their eight chairman has already engaged in some which had very little improvement years in Washington. self-described "fjrefi ghts," This in­ during the Reagan years. George Bush Access cannot guarantee success for cludes arguing that long-term water subtlety used this perception during the the CEQ, but it does provide a sig­ projects, such as those up for renewal in 1988 campaign 10 distinguish himself ni ficant change. The Council's new Californ ia, must have environmental fro m Ronald Reagan. chairman has already received national impact statements. The White House Translating attitudes into policy, atlention for his environmental commit­ has backed him on thi s issue, to the dis­ however, is a different matter. One area ment. may of Inte rior Secretary Manue l in which the administration has not As regional head of the New England Lujan. made the dent il promised is in holding Environmental Protection Agency, De­ A key part of George Bush's environ­ an international conference on global Land sued the Commonwealth of Mas­ mental strategy is providing economic warming. During his election contest sachusetts (a.k.a. Michael Dukakis) for incentives not to pollute. For instance, with Michael Dukakis, Bush pledged to its failure to clean up Boston Harbor. a company will now be assigned - or buy convene such a gathering during hi s first The Bush campaign sei zed upon that from the government - a certain amount year in office. suit. and made considerable hay with of pollutant "permits." If it discharges That meeting has not occured, and De­ Boston Harbor during last year's poll utants over that allotted amount, the Land admilS the "goal has slipped a bit." presidential campaign. organization can purchase e)(tra permits He counters that this is not a "major DeLand's nexl resuscitation project is from another company. Conversely. if problem," and that we will see an inter­ Ihe CEQ staff. The president has it discharges less than the prescribed national conference durin g the promised to triple the CEQ budget and limit. the e)(tra portion can be sold off. president 's second year. staff wi thin three years. So far, DeLand DeLand says this inclusion of the Let's hope so, With environmental has secured a $ 1. 5 million budget for private sector "heralds the future of the deteoriation occuring rapidly, interna­ fi scal year 1990. which is up from environmental movement. " The em­ tional cooperation is necessary. More $861,(H)() a year ago. phasis must change from "what comes than the cleaning of America is at stake. More money should not be equated out of the pipe to what goes into the Who knows? Maybe DeLand could with success here either. But DeLand pipe," even then get a clean office. • argues that funds are needed to "restore George Bush's methodology of bring­ ing together diverse political interests William P. McKenzie is editor of the includes environmentalists as well. The Ripon Forum.

Ripon Forum, December 1989 19 REVIEWS Born to Lose "Among Schoolchildren" By Tracy Kidder. Boston: Houghton Miffiin Company, 1989.

profession. Principal Alphonse Laudato Finally. "Among Schoolchildren" is by Alfred W. Tate is "grieved" by members of his faculty imponant for the commentary it offers at Kelly. and a local politician helps on the state of education in America hen my daughter Winifred Mrs. Zajac teach her class the meaning today. This is not to say that Kidder's graduated from high school. of the tenn "stereotype" by coming to book is a treatise on pedagogy. On the I realized that her elation did W school and handing out paper Indian contrary. it is a narrative account of not spring from a sense of satisfaction at headdresses that identify the wearer as all she 'had accomplished. but rather a "Big Chief Friend of Congressman from a feeling of profound relief that a Conte." The reader learns something of long ordeal was over. NO! that she had "Among Schoolchildren" the history and changing demographics not accomplished a great deal. A prize­ of the city of Holyoke and trave ls with provides the sort of winning student journalist. she had Mrs. Zajac over spring break to Pueno graduated with honors and been ac­ pleasure that is gained Ri co. cepted by all of the colleges to which from watching a Magic she applied. LESSONS FROM SCHOOL Johllson play basketball or But she was also one of the lucky ones. The carefully nunured product of a a Cal Ripken baseball. ut what the book is reall y "about" white. middle-class. two-parent home. is Chris Zajac and her work. and it her mother a teacher and her father a B is wonderful at several levels and for a specific lessons taught and learned in a dutiful attendee of 13 years of back-to­ variety of reasons. The power to ob­ cenain time and place by panicular school nights and parent-teacher con­ serve and explicate compl icated proces­ children under the guidance of a unique ferences, from grade school on she had ses in the incisive and limpid prose Kid­ teacher. He does not use these people been placed in the top "track." Hercour­ der has exhibited in the past make the and their circumstances to promote an ses were the most challenging and her book ri chly rewarding. In its depiction educational ideology or castigate the teachers the most stimulating our cit)' s of Mrs. Zajac in the classroom. the book present system . In faci. his central point public school system had to offer. provides the son of genuine and distinct is that for all our philosophizing and It is hard not to wonder. if school was pleasure that is gained from watChing a criticizing. what education is all about such a trial for Winifred. what must it be Magic Johnson play basketball or a Cal is not more and no less than what goes like for those who lack the benefits be­ Ripken baseball . on all across the country in thousands of stowed on her by the accident of binh? Meeting Mrs. Zajac ought to clear up places like room 205 at Kelly School. Tracy Kidder's "Among School­ any lingering questions left by Ollie children" offers a chance to find out. Nonh and his ilk regarding the nature of PUBLIC SCHOOL IDEALS Kidder's book chronicles a year in a true heroi sm. And the exposure the fifth grade class at Ke ll y School in book offers to what it means to have a idderdoes make clear that the iso­ Holyoke. Massachusetts. During its vocation -- a real calling -- and to give K lated individuals -- Ihe vast course. the reader comes 10 know and oneself wholeheanedly to wonhwhile majority of them women -- who enter care about Roben. Clarence. Judith. work should prove of interest to those of these rooms where education is actual­ Alice and the rest of the 20 member us mired in the triviality of so many con­ ly a!lempted have had to bear a heavy class. about half of whom are Pueno temporary pursuits .. burden of idealism in the United States. Rican and almost two-thirds of whom The book should also be of interest to Thomas Jefferson envisioned ours from families receiving some fonn are teachers for the insight it offers into the would be an "aristocracy of intellect" of public assistance. Their teacher is "tricks of the trade" used by a good one. made up in pan by "youths of genius" Mrs. Christine Zajac. married with 34. The integrity of Zajac's effons to edu­ who would be elevated "from among two children of her own: she is a native cate her charges and the honesty with the classes of the poor" by public educa­ of Holyoke and has been teaching for 13 which she confronts her defeats should tion. Homce Mann saw our system of years. be an inspiration. One of the surpri ses universal educati on as making "the There are others as well. A st udent the book offers is how isolated it reveals wheel of progress" roll "hannoniously teacher undergoes her initiation into her the classroom teacher to be; vicariously and resistlessly onward." sharing in her struggles should be of W.E.B. DuBois saw education as AlfredW. Tate isa memhero/the Ripon some comfon to other teachers. helping to bring about "the treatment of Forum editorial board. all men according to their individual

20 Ripon Forum. December 1989 desert and not according to their race." how schools should adapt to the break­ not be moved by the description of the More recentl y, Harvard's James Bryant down in the traditional two-parent fami­ one held at Kelly School. Conant found in the nation's public ly and the large and growing percent of As Mrs. Zajac moves among her schools the answer to the post-war our children who live below the pover­ students' projects to evaluate them, she Soviet threat and the "means to secure ty li ne. reali zed she is grading not their efforts, the foundations of our free society." A recent Carnegie Foundation report but that of their parents. As in every Public education has been pressed into is critical of "tracking" -- the grouping aspect of their schooling but here with service on behalf of these and many of students by ability -- and recom­ excruciating clarity. it is the involve­ other causes. That it is critical 10 mends a return to teaching students of ment of the parents that detennines the demoracy is obvious: if the people are all levels of ability in the same cla5s set­ outcome for the children. As she looks to rule, and do so wisely and welL they ting. The report goes on to suggest that from the faces of those who won pri zes must be wise and well-equipped to do at the fair to those who did not, she real­ so. Given the present state of our body We should stop viewing ized that the latter seem inescapably to politic -- which has prompted one na­ have been born to lose. tional news magazine to ask in a cover education as a means to Her response contains the implicit les­ story "Is Government Dead?" -- it is some other end, however son the book as a whole offers: "I think equally obv ious that public education is the cruelest fonn of prejudice is if I ever in trouble. laudable that end may be. said, 'Clarence is poor, so I' ll expect While this is really nothing new. as less of him than Alice.' Maybe he won't Kidder points out the history of educa­ the learn ing situation be structured in dowhat Alice does. But l want his best," tion in this country in the 20th century such a way that the more academicall y­ She knows it is not as simple as it sounds is one of perennial di ssatisfaction. at no gifted, talented students have a stake in and the book is an account of her strug­ time have the public schools come the success of -- and therefore are gles -- her small successes and her real under greater criticism than the present. motivated to help and encourage -- the failures -- to extract their best from each Standardized test scores are declining. less gi fted through such de vices as of her students, Polls report current college graduates giving everyone in the group the The work that education policy woefull y ignorant of the rudiments of average grad.:: of all the group on any makers from the "education president" western culture. unable to identify the test or laboratory projecl. Whatever the on down owe to the Mrs. Zajacs of the authors of literary classics a familiarity merit of such a proposal, it is clearly an world is 10 stop viewing education as a with which their elders claim to take for effort to make the school the source of means to some other end, however granted, unaware of even the century in the incentives and support that the fami­ laudable that end may be. Rather. per­ which major events in world history ly and society at large have traditional­ haps as an experiment to be tried be­ took place. and inescapable of locating ly supplied. cause everything else is palpably fail­ major countries on the world map. Busi­ Kidder does not address the questions ing. we should try as Chris Zajac does ness leaders decry an educational sys­ of whether we can do better and. if so, to treat every student as an end in them­ tem they claim has a 50 percent failure how. Yet not far between the lines of selves, not as a means to a better rate in supplying an entry-level work "Among Schoolchildren" can be read prepare d workforce. or a more force adequately prepared for the indications of directions in which to economically competitive or militarily demands of loday's jobs. Now the pursue answers. Perhaps the most ob­ secure nation. If we did. we might find threat comes not from Soviet military vious is the need to consider education that these ulterior goals -- or at least might so much as from Asian economic in the context of the larger constellation those that are genuinely worth pursuing power and. as one corporate head put it. of social policy issues facing the -- are reached anyway. • "public education has put this country at country. Chris Zajac finds herself a terrible competitive disadvantage." forced to conclude: "Lets face it. I as a (See Veronica DiConti's piece on this teacher have to deal with things as they subject, pages 16 and 17 .) are in the classroom, whatever the situa­ In recenl years much of the debate has lion is at home." People in positions centered on the issue of cognition ver­ with a wider mandate should not feel sus content: should the emphasis be themselves so constrained. placed on learning how to think or on mastering facts? In the '60s and early EXTRACTING THE BEST '70s concern for the fanner held sway, now the pendulum is swinging in the I'lolitics is aooul power, and so is What's Ahead in the other direction with renewed stress C education. Children know instinc­ being placed on the who, what, when tively who has it. and learn quickly Ripon Forum: and where of the more traditional cur­ whether they have any hope of gaining - Who's Who in The Bush riculum. even a modicum of control over their Administration How our schools should respond to the own li ves. Howthis learning takes place - The National Transponation fundamental changes taking place in is illustrated by the most telling episode Policy Rev iew American society is now perhaps the related in the book, "the Science Fair." - Environmential Priorities major source of contention. At issue is No parent who has ever gone with his or her ch ild to such an event can possibly

Ripon Forum. DtCf'mMr /989 21 THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER Tearing Down the Berlin Wall able to hold back th e peop le -­ or academics miscalculate what is hap­ by Bill C linger desperate for a taste of freedom after pening in the USS R and Eastern nearly 50 years of communist rule. Europe. It is an altogether different and have twice gone from West to East The astonishing events of this historic more serious thing if the Bush ad­ Berlin through Checkpoint Charlie autumn of 1989 have come so thick and ministration or the Congress does. And at the Berlin Wall. Each time was a I fast that scholars and pundits have been there will be temptation for the ad­ s ingularly chilling experience. The hard pressed to keep up. Talk show ministration to act. cold-eyed volkspolcizei or Vopos slow­ analyses of what is happening or is In the weeks and months ahead. the comparing me the photo in ly with my about to happen are almost instantly few voices now calling for immediate passpon, the dogs patrolling the East overtaken by events and proven wrong troop withdrawals from Europe, dis­ Gennan side and my irrational fear that or at least woefu ll y incomplete and in­ solution of NATO. or the reunification once I was inside East Berlin I might adequate. Generous portions of crow of Gennany will undoubtedly be joined never get OUI combined to make it so. have been served to some of our most by many more. Criticism of President The little museum on the West Berlin d istingui shed observers of Eastern Bush, seemingly unwilling to seize the side of the checkpoint also reminded a Europe. They suggested first that the opportunities offered by the disarray in visilor of the courage and ingenuity of sort of mass demonstrations that oc­ the socialist world. will accelerate. In­ the few who had escaped over the Wall curred in Poland and Hungary would deed. the temptation to do something to freedom and the many more who had never happen in East Gennany because now wi ll be intense. It sho uld be died trying. the people enjoyed a higher standard of resisted. That's why I would have loved to have living and second, if the people did take For the present. it should be enough to been there on Thursday, November 9 to the street to demonstrate. the govern­ take quiet pride in the fact that freedom when the Wall, at least figuratively. ment would suppress them quickly. is winning. The bloodless revolution in came tumbling down. I would love to Eastern Europe is a repUdiation of com­ have seen the hated Vopos swept aside munism and the acceptance of change as a joyous wave of humanity breached The whole world suddenly by Secretary Gorbachev is an admission the Wall for the first time in 28 years. of failure. But the situation is extreme­ When I first heard the stunning news seems to be on fast for­ ly unsettled and will remain so for some that the beleaguered Egon Krenz had ward and this speeding up time to come. We must respond as Presi­ opened the Wall in a desperate move to of history has serious im­ dent Bush did at Malta, by pledging sup­ save his regime, I thought back to a day port for a hopeful future but remain in January 1987. I was in East Berlin plication for American leary of moving too far or too fast from that day as part of a delegation meeting diplomacy. proven policy. with Erich Honneker, the long-time Fortunately, in George Bush. we have East Gennan Communist leader and the a president who is superbly prepared, man who built the Wall back in 1961. What we have seen instead is thespon­ intellectually capable and tempennen­ Though he clearly bu ill the Wall 10 keep taneous and nearl y unanimous eruption tally suited 10 deal with these momen­ his own people in, the official reason by the Ea~ t Gennan people in protest. tous changes. Some might prefer a more was to protect against a feared invasion This is a people crying out in frustrat ion dashing impetuous leader. But we from the West. and anger over lives which are stunted don't need to hype the drama. We do On that cold January day only two and drab, finally driven to open revolt need thoughtful, infonned leadership years ago, Congressman Guy Vander by the knowledge that the quality of life that is not going to be stampeded into Jagt asked him when the Wall would -- both economic and political -- is in­ ill-advised policy decisions. come down and this solemn and humor­ finitely bener in the West. An ed itorialist in The Economist less li ttle man said, "The Wall will come I'm certainly not going to predict how wrote recently, "Years like 1989 do not down when there is no longer a need for this incredible drama will play itself OU I. happen often. and when they do history it." Clearly for the communist govern­ I would only nOle that we have seen a usually discovers they were not as ment there is still a need for the Wall to simpl y stunning compression of history simple as they seemed at the [imc. Give stop the exodus of people to the Wesl. in recent months. The whole world sud­ three cheers [hat [he smear of com­ Butjusl as clearly the Wall is no longer denly seems to be on fast forward and this speeding up of history has serious munism is being wiped away from implications for American diplomacy. much of Europe. Then make sure the Bill Clinger is chairman of the Ripon The acceleration of events should not repainting job is done in a way that Society and a member o/Congress/rom force an un due acceleration of response lasts." • Pennsylvania. in the West. It's one thing ifTY experts

22 Ripon Forum, December 1989 6 LffiRARY COURT

"October 10 , the Ripon I thank you for your efforts to build a Society hosted ils annual stronger Republican Party and a better 0 Republican of the Year Award America." Dinner in Washington. D.C. This year's Over 325 people were in attendance award was shared by New Jersey for this year's dinner. which was held at Governor Thomas Keao and Housing the L 'Enfant Plaza Hote l in and Urban Development Secretary Jack Washington. D.C. Congressman Bill Kemp. The twO GOP leaders were Clinger.chainnan of the Ripon Society, selected for theiT efforts to broaden the served as master of ceremonies. Republican Party's base. Governor Kean. whose eight years in ISSUE SEMINARS Trenton have been noted by New Jersey's economic redevelopment and From August 25 - September I, the his ability to aurael black and union sup­ Ripon Educational Fund hosted a pon, told the audience: "The 'politics delegation of members of Congress, of inclusion' is on the rise. In the 1asl European parliamentarians. financial nine mOnlhs President Bush has opened leaders and transportation officials in wide those doors which we call the Brussels and London. The group par­ 'GOP' and beckoned all to enter. ticipated in sessions on Europe's 1992 " Republicans bel ieve that we economic merger. and the delegation in­ shouldn't divide people. we should cluded Representatives Bill Clinger. unite them. Unite them around the Bill Archer, Don Sundquist, Tom Petri Secre tary Jack Kemp and philosophy which is about the creation and Bill Green. Meetings were held at Bob Maloney of the Federal of opportunity. If we do thaI. we wi ll th e headquarters of the European National Mortgage Association. return to what the roots of what our Economic Community in Brussels and party is all about." at the American Embassy in London. National Rail Passengers Association Secretary Kemp also has made NATO officials. as well as EEC leaders. and GOP State Representative Bob minority recruitment a GOP priority. In also participated in the sessions. Marsh of the House Transportation May 1988, he wrote. "Republicans can The Ripon Society hosted four policy Comminee. win in November in a way that ... leaves breakfasts on tmnsportation issues this The Hawaii Ripon Society has been a legacy among minorities we ll into the fall. The series was held at the Capitol active under the leadership of new presi­ nex t century." As the new HUD Hill Club in Washington, and its focus dent Masu Dyer. The chapter sponsored secretary. Kemp has championed such was the national tmnsportation policy a "Controversial Issues" meeting on concepts as tenant management of review. (With a new nationaltmnspor­ September 28. Speakers included public housing and urban enterpri se tation po licy likely to be introduced in Dorothy Fantle of Hawaii Planned zones in trying to find new solutions for 1990. look for transportation issues to Parenthood and Roger Stenson of the the cities' problems. become primary topics in 1990.) Hawaii Right to Life Comminee. The In addressing the Ripon audience. Speakers for the series included Jeffrey Hawai i chapter a lso sponsors Kemp said that "the party is progressive Shane. assistant secrelary for policy and "roundtable luncheons" each second and conservative. black and white." international affairs, Department of Thursday at the Honolulu Press Club. And he added. "President Bush has the Transportation: Thomas Larson. ad­ Ripon Forum editor Bi ll McKenzie's best opportunity in our lifetime to tu m ministrator, Federal Hi ghway Ad­ weekly political column has appeared in the Republican Party into a majority min istration: Wi lliam Watt. associate recem weeks in New York Newsday, party." administrator for policy, Federal Rai l­ The C harleston (W.VA.) Gazette, The Ripon dinner also heard from road Administration: and Representa­ The Casper (Wyo.)StarTribune. T he President Bush. who sent a telegram of tive Bill Clinger. ranking RepUblican on Barre (Vt.) Times Argus and The SI. greetings. The president. who received the House Public Works and Transpor­ Louis Post-Dispatch. If papers in your the Society's Republican of the Year tation Suocommiuee on Aviation. area may be interested in receiving this Award in 1985. said that: "Since 1962 column. please contact: Ripon Forum. the Ripon Society has played an active CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 6 Library Court S.E .. Washington, D.C. role in helping the Republican Party. 20003. • Republicans such as Jack Kemp and The Boston Ripon Society also has Tom Kean have come forward to been involved in transponation issues. strengthen our nation by working to On November 13. the chapter's presi­ promote individual civil liberties and dent. John Sears. moderated a panel dis­ equal rights for all. a strong national cussion on Massachuseus ra il po licy. defense, and economic policies that Participants included Ross Capon orthe curb wasteful government spending ....

Ripon Forum. December 1989 23 WASHINGTON NOTES & QUOTES

Where Philosophy Matters: Fr9m c ru sade fo r de mocracy: to ci te the June 1989 Commentary, in a piece Buchanan, "Democracy uber alles is a World Bank Presidelll written by our frie nd Josiah Lee fonnula for pcnnanent connict and na­ Auspilz. on Poland: "Because the ex­ tional bankruptcy," Barber Conable an­ pression of Polish nati onality has for so The new isolati onism mai ntains a bit nounced he would per­ much of the past two centuries been of the old 's re liance on nativism and con finned to language. the most purely theological conserv atism: Universilyof sonally oversee a tripling verbal discipl ines have acquired espe­ Michigan hi storian Stephen Tonsor of the bank's annual spend­ ciall y high prestige." During a fe llow­ claims conservati sm's "worl d view is ing for birth cOlllrol, shi pin Poland.Auspitz.a Ripon Nation­ Roman or AngiTom Tauke is al­ groups, our fri end Ron Langston sug­ sense but it 's in the great nonsense­ ready a pitched baule. Michael Dukakis gested: "The Soviet Union may alter its spouting tradition of Irish. Italians and wo n the state in 19 88, the first presenl postu re in Europe if. and onl y if Jews before them." Democmtic presidential candidate to do ... his toric national concerns for Choice: Even as President Bush was so since 1964. The abortion issue may defense and territorial expansionism vetoing any and all legislation con· also play to Harkin's strength (Tauke is have unequivocall y become moot is­ sidered pennissive on abonion, World pro-life), but it was the abon ion issue in sues." Those conditions having come to Bank Pres ident Barber Conable. ap­ 1978 that helped Roger Jepsen defeat pass, we re vive Langston's excellenl pointed by President Reagan, an ­ in cumbent Democrat Senator Dick prescri pti on: by April 1995, the 50th nounced he wo ul d personall y oversee a Clark. Anniversary of the Yalta Confere nce, tripling of the bank 's annual spending The key issue these days is an arcane NATO and the Warsaw Pact should for binh control. health and nutrition spat over who's abused the franking resolve the military and political dilem­ programs in the Third World. privilege th e g reatest. But the mas of a di vided Europe . Faces: Representative Hamilton Fish. ultraliberal populi st Harkin has also as­ Righi-wing Isolationism Resurgent: Jr. . is the reci pient of the Walter White sailed Tauke's trademark moderation. With the Soviet threat reced ing, a award, given for "uncommon achieve­ re marking, "the people of Iowa don't strange but impon anl ideOlogical wa r ments in civil ri ghts" by the National wa nt a marshmallow in Washington. heats up at home. The leftish tabloid In Associati on fo r the Advancement of They want a Rock of Gibraltar." A These Times repons that ri ght-wi ng Colored People. Harkin aide cheerfully admits the issues pundits Patrick Buchanan and some Also, Ri pon member Mitchell Crus­ may not mailer much: "It 's going 10 get conservati ve cronies at the Nalional to is the new deputy administrator of the dow n to who's got the biggest Review are aggressively selling the idea Small Busi ness Administration for bank roll." that the U.S. cannot afford a global finance. investment and procurement...

24 Ripon Forum, December /989