James Madison University MONDAY FEBRUARY 17,1992 \rt)L 69, NO. 39 Platforms 'superficial' as primary looms by Jennie Carroll are all talking about some innovative staff writer new programs, but their ideas don't have much depth." Presidential candidates have a mere "People have been miking health Education not important 24 campaigning hours left before the care since the Carter administration," New Hampshire primary — and JMU Hammond said. "It's going to have to in this year's campaign professors say candidates are still happen because it is out of control, but have to spend a certain amount of haggling over the superficialities of by Donna Ragsdale I don't see any president being able to staffwriter time serving the community in high-profile issues like health care and pass these measures alone. It is really exchange for education funds. the economy. up to Congress to deliver a good Education may take a backseat For instance, a doctor may have "1 don't feel the candidates are package." to economic issues in the 1992 to work in a rural area for several handling their issues successfully at presidential elections, according The Democrats have been pushing EDUCATION page 2 all," said assistant political science for a national health care policy, while to JMU faculty. professor Dr. Scott Hammond. "They the Republicans want to upgrade the "There's a lot of general talk current system without national about education, but I don't see funding. any substantive proposals," said But candidates on both sides have Charles Blair, head of the been vague about how they will fund department of early and middle these programs. education. "The candidates are not looking at "Because of funding the underlying dynamics," said Dr. limitations, it is difficult for Robert Maranto, assistant professor of candidates to put forward political science. specific proposals." "The problems in health care are But political science rooted in the fact that health care professor Devin Bent said all spending has doubled in the past few of the candidates favor years due to things such as medical expanded financial aid to technology and medical malpractice," students in higher education. Maranto said. "What might differentiate "Doctors can charge per them is that Clinton has tied procedure. They have been taking aid to service," advantage of this, which has put a Bent said. financial burden on Americans Clinton suggests seeking health care." students should ELECTION page 2 Fighting the 'Bush sellout' INSIDE 'Dukes for Buchanan' backs conservative columnist What's good about JMU? In response to by Ian Record \ attended a rally and met Buchanan. "We need to make the campus aware of overwhelming asst. news editor grumpiness on campus, Buchanan's run and where he stands on the issues," we stop to smell the In an attempt to address the "Bush sellout," a Gekas said. landscaped flowers/3 number of conservative JMU students formed a "This is mainly a message to [President] Bush mat student group last week in support of Pat it is the time for him to stand for what he said he Perfect no more -v --* Buchanan's bid for the Republican would stand for in 1988." The JMU men's basketball team's unbeaten presidential nomination. Buchanan, S3, a near-reactionary streak in the CAA ended Saturday night at "The fact is as conservatives we've conservative and commentator on the ODU as the Monarchs pulled off a 72-71 been faced with the Bush sellout," the television program "Crossfire," is expected upset/21 idea that Bush has not followed through to make a strong showing in challenging Rah-Rah-Ree on his 1988 campaign promises, said President Bush in Tuesday's primary in Seventh-ranked JMU cheerleaders talk about group chairman Mike Gekas. New Hampshire. the ups and downs of cheering/16 This is "especially true as far as taxes and Some polls have projected he might take as INDEX quotas go," he said. much as 35 percent of the Republican vote. News 3 Lifestyles 16 The group, JMU Dukes for Buchanan, has Buchanan's platform focuses on cutting taxes, Focus On 9 Sports 21 planned campaign activities including participating freezing federal spending and eliminating Opinion 10 Humor 28 in the upcoming Virginia Republican caucuses and a Entertainment 13 Classifieds 31 trip this past weekend to New Hampshire where they BUCHANAN page 2 2* THE BREEZE MONCW, FEBRUARY 17,1992 Only 30% of college students registered to vote by Matt Warner whole would be affected." parents do." more conservative trend. But it also staff writer Saga Neuland, second vice Zucker said, "It's difficult to depends on the regional characteristics chairman of the College Republicans, convey that because they don't vote, of the area, too. Only 30 percent of the nation's said students would be more likely to the drinking age goes up. Because "You should have an automatic college students are registered to vote, vote if they kept up with the issues. they don't vote, there's not as much registration when you get your according to a survey by Americans "The College Republicans government help with tuition. driver's license," Glasow said. "They for a Democratic Action. have speakers come in, and "If more students voted, there should do away with normal Ron Zucker, program director of sometimes we just sit would be more tuition registration, and when you go in to ADA, said, "People fail to see the around at meetings and assistance, they'd have more vote, you show them your driver's connection between themselves and talk about issues," she control over abortion and the license and then go vote." government. Students don't see the said. environment. And the Jameson Hamilton, a senior public effects of government, so why vote? Dr. Anthony Esterowicz balance of power would go administration major, said, "I'm not "Voter registration of normal four- of the Political Science more towards younger really sure the system could be year students is going down. What I Department said, "Students politicians they can identify with." clianged to make people want to vote; call the 'alternative track' students, would be more likely to vote if it was Zucker said ivy league students are it's just the way our age group is, but those who go to school for a year and easier for them to vote, like if there voting more. "The more money you they could do greater voter then work, are voting less." was more time to get in absentee make, the more likely you are to registration drives on campus. John Pagels, SGA legislative vice ballots." vote," he said. "If Wilder had to contend with president, said, "A lot of students feel Esterowicz said the political David Glasow, a senior political college voters, things might be they can't make a difference. Students leanings of JMU students are "just to science major, said that if more different," Hamilton said. are too separated from society. If more the right of center, particularly on college students voted, "You'd ADA's survey was done in of us voted, then politicians would economic issues, but students probably see a lot more younger cooperation with the political science listen to us more and education as a generally vote the same way as their candidates get in, and you'd see a departments of 131 universities. Election Education CONTINUED from page 1 CONTINUED/r«n/Mqj*/ government is in the form of research grants and Economic policies of the candidates are running years to "pay back" the government for school student financial aid. along party lines. Democrats against Republicans, expenses. And JMU Director of Financial Aid John said Dr. Robert Roberts, associate professor of Bush has also set himself apart by Sellers said that a large percentage of political science. The basic tax policies of the showing more enthusiasm for high tech financial aid funds come from the federal Democrats remain middle class tax relief, taxes on programs which may benefit higher government. the very wealthy, and cutting the defense budget education. JMU receives about $5375,000 in The Republicans seem more focused on boosting "There are some big science projects Financial aid funds, including money for the economy through the "trickle down theory" — like the space station, and I believe Bush work study, grants and loans. stimulating the economy through economic has been more supportive than the But, even if a new president created incentives for big business. Democratic candidates who would rather see substantial changes in these figures, Sellers said Maranto said, "I'm not sure Bush really has an money spent over a greater area than on one showy "down the road you may see some difference, but it economic policy besides the old Reagan 'trickle project," Bent said. would take years for that to filter down." down' philosophy. Blair said, "Regardless of who is elected, they're "He has never focused much on domestic policy. going to be really strapped to come up with funds for Bush's strong suit is foreign policy." education." Buchanan Aside from Bush's concentration in these affairs, Anyway, education campaign promises may not COHWHMUi from page 1 none of the professors saw a strong platform from have an overwhelming effect on education — though any of the candidates in foreign affairs. That's Bush once called himself the "education president," government quotas. His campaign also seems to probably because other candidates tend to avoid the responsibility of education is usually left to the target conservative voters who are disappointed by Bush's strong suit. states. Bush — including many like the JMU group who Bent said, "Buchanan tended to be a little into Alvin Pettus, head of the department of secondary feel that Bush hasn't lived up to campaign promises American first and Japanese bashing at the education and library science, said, "Education is a on taxes and economic policy.