Altus Times (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 99, No. 153, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 10, 1998 Page: 10 of 16
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Altus Times-Democrat and was provided to The Gateway to Oklahoma History by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
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10 Altus Times, Thursday, Sept. 10, 1998
PIN
Debates and decisions
EVOLUTION OF AN INVESTOR...
DAN RATHER
GOP may trump Dems on Social Security
ship aides say the GOP can encouraged by surveys show-
MY ANSWER
F
Berry's World
1996 by NEA, Inc.
ALT 'S TIMES
"cutting taxes" when those
are the only choices presented
for using the surplus.
But House Republicans are
dent Clinton’s troubles will
depress Democratic turnout
in the election and juice GOP
turnout. Meantime, leader-
But they are limited in what they can do.
Their best hopes are that Clinton's Job ap-
proval rating stays up in the polls, that the
economy, especially the stock markets, weath-
ers current uncertainties, and that Democrat-
ic candidates do better than expected in this
November's elections.
In private. Republican leaders are increas-
ingly reaching the conclusion that they can get
Clinton out of office if they choose to do so.
Whether that would be good or bad for their
House Republicans
think they can tri-
umph over Democ-
rats this fall not only
thanks to the Clinton
scandals but also by
using the budget sur-
plus to cut taxes and
preserve Social Secu-
rity.
Republican polls
indicate that Presi-
Sandy Graham
CIRCULATION MANAGER
On THIS
Date
TH
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6U
Sue L. Bryant
PRODUCTION MANAGE
Carol Cole, MANAGING Error
W
GTE CINCINNATI POST
193
jstahler55@aol com
BILLY
GRAHAM
ALTUS TIMES
Correction Policy
As a matter of policy, the Altus
Times will publish corrections of
errors that have been printed in
the newspaper.
The corrections will be made
as soon as possible after the er-
ror has been brought to the at-
tention of the newspaper’s edi-
tor at 428-1221.
C mon! It's Dress-Down Friday, What’s
wrong with wearing pajamas?”
cauldron, steaming and
bubbling with the heat of this reality.
Republican and Democratic party leaders
are in the process of deciding whether they
would rather have Bill Clinton or Al Gore as
president.
They get to decide because most of them are
in Congress. And the ones who aren't, finance
those who are. That is. they bankroll congres-
sional campaigns and therefore have heavy in-
fluence.
The Constitution gives Congress the power
possibility, by any rea-
sonable analysis it ig-
nores the history of the
Clintons, and is not at
the moment considered
very likely.
More likely is that the
president and the first la-
dy fight tenaciously for
delay and a chance to
hold on long enough for
him to finish his term.
also is designed to win sup- cut, politicians would spend
port from GOP senators who the surplus, while 34 percent
are nervous about violating would back a Democrat who
President Clinton's dictum argued that cutting taxes
No American should be
mistaken. The possibility of
President Clintons being
forced to leave office is now
real.
Whether or not you be-
lieve this should be the sit-
uation. whether or not you
believe it is justified, it is a
reality.
Washington is now a
Editorial Policy
This page contains opinions
and comments on world, nation-
al, state, county and community
affairs. Editorials marked “In
Our Opinion" express the view-
point of the management of the
Altus Times.
Commentaries from staff
members will occasionally ap-
pear. These and other items on
this page are the expressions of
the respective authors and not
necessarily those of the news-
paper's management. Persons
wishing to submit letters to the
editor may do so by dropping
them by the office, 218W. Com-
merce. or by mailing them to:
From Our Readers...
Altus Times
Box 578
Altus, OK 73521
Letters must be signed and
bear a home address and tele-
phone number All names will be
published with letters. All letters
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and are subject to editing The
Times also reserves the right to
reject any letter for legal ethical
or other reasons
Lyle M. Exstrom, Publisher
Virginia Reznie Merlene Emerson
ADVERTISING DOCTOR omncriAcn
Have you honestly faced
this? I hope you will, for noth
ing is more important than
our relationship to Christ
both now and for eternity.
The wonderful truth is:
Christ's salvation is free! You
cannot buy it. for Christ has
already paid the price through
His death on the cross. Don't
lion during the first five years percent say “cut taxes."
to live popular middle-class Asked whether "every dol-
Today is the 253rd day of
1998 and the 82nd day of
summer.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
On this day in 1846, Elias
Howe of Spencer, Mass.,
patented his design for a
sewing machine.
On this day in 1881. Roger
Connor of the Troy Trojans hit
the first grand-slam home run
in major-league history.
On this day in 1955. "Gun-
smoke" premiered on CBS.
House Ways and
Means Committee is
expected to mark up a
bill during the third or
fourth week of the
month and decide
whether "Johnson and
Johnson" is the right mix.
Ways and Means Chairman
Bill Archer, R-Texas, is ex-
pected to come up with his
own proposal, but aides indi-
cate that he's inclined toward
Johnson and Johnson,
though he'll add tax cuts for
hard-pressed farmers and
ranchers.
GOP aides believe that the
package will prove so popular
that GOP Senators will em-
brace it and Clinton will find it
hard to fight it -- especially
since he already accepted
marriage penalty relief during
tobacco negotiations.
Increasing the amount se-
niors can earn before being
taxed is also designed as a
piece of political jujitsu in
view of Clinton's declared ded
ication to protecting Social
Security.
Other Luntz findings sug-
gest that the GOP is also well-
positioned for strategic battles
with Clinton this fall and for
the election campaign.
By 53 to 40 percent, voters
agree that "Clinton will seek
confrontations with Congress
to distract attention from his
ethical problems," although if
the confrontation results in a
government shutdown, voters
are inclined to blame the GOP.
Luntz found that, even be-
fore issuance of independent
counsel Kenneth Starr's re
port on the Monica Lewinsky
case, GOP voters are far more
likely than Democrats to go to
the polls this November.
In a generic ballot test, the
parties are tied when all regis-
tered voters are tallied. 41 to
41 percent. But among those
who say they're certain to I
vote. Republicans lead by 44 '
to 39 percent. If those num
bers hold up, this election '
could be a debacle for Democ-
rats. i
Morton Kondracke is execu-
tive editor of Roll Call, the
newspaper of Capitol Hill.
that the surplus should not be would harm Social Security,
touched until a long-term When voters were asked
plan is in place for preserving whether they agreed that "if
the nation's retirement sys- Washington keeps the sur-
tem. plus, politicians will spend it
GOP polls confirm that the on wasteful programs." 75
public does prefer "saving So- percent agreed and 22 per-
cial Security" and "paying cent didn't - indicating that
down the national debt" to such an argument will work
with voters.
GOP leaders are expected
ed insurance; making the re- nior citizens." 65 percent fa-
search and development tax vored the proposal and 25
credit permanent; and ex- percent supported the option
panding child care and educa- of postponing tax cuts until
tion tax credits. Social Security was pre-
The tax cuts are so modest served.
that proponents think the Luntz also reported that 53
White House and Democrats percent of voters said they
will be unable to convincingly would support a Republican
charge that the GOP cuts who favored saving Social Se-
threaten Social Security, curity and cutting taxes and
The small tax cut number argued that if taxes weren't
tax cuts, reserving the rest for lar of surplus should be used
keeping the Social Security 10 save Social Security." 60
system solvent, percent says "yes" and 37.
Johnson and Johnson pro- n°-
pose reducing the "marriage But when Luntz asked
penalty" in the tax code: rais- about House Speaker Newt
ing the earnings limit for re- Gingrich's, R-Ga., idea of de-
tirees from $14,500 to voting two-thirds of the sur-
$30,000; making health in- plus to Social Security and
surance fully deductible for one-third to "cut taxes includ-
the self-employed and work- ing the marriage penalty,
ers who lack employer-provid- death taxes and taxes on se-
MORTON KONDRACKE "-'’"'- Tut sort
Security package is
among their top priori
ties for the year. The
win on a policy level with a ing that the public will sup-
moderate tax cut proposal. port tax cuts ahead of "spend-
The favored GOP policy for- ing" the surplus, which is
mula is known by the short- what they claim will happen if
hand "Johnson and John- "politicians in Washington"
son." after its conservative have their way.
W/niton 11 1 • and moderate proponents. Numbers released by GOP
writer tninKS Churches just want his money Reps. Sam Johnson (Texas) pollster Frank Luntz show
J and Nancy Johnson (Conn.) that when given three choices.
DEAR DR. GRAHAM: your real issue is spiritual. Of a $1.6 trillion estimated 49 percent of voters prefer us-
Why are preachers always MY ANSWER Your real problem is that you budget surplus over the next ing the surplus to "save Social
talking about money and beg- -----4________________do not want God in your life 10 years, the J-J proposal Security. 27 percent want to
ging people to support t heir A Have you honest Iv faced calls for devoting just $80 bil- "pay off the debt" and only 20
work? Personally. I don't
want anything to do with or
ganized religion, because all
they are interested in is my
money. — H.H.
DEAR H.H.:
Since you aren't interested
in organized religion, I cannot (Luke 8:3). The Apostle Paul
help but wonder if you really certainly made his own finan-
know how often most preach- cial needs known (although turn you back on Him, but be
ers actually mention their he also worked at times to faith accept HIs gift of salva-
C ur is financial needs in support himself), and also tion and discover the joy of
the course ofayear. In my ex- urged Christians to help their His peace.
perience it is very seldom, fellow believers who were fac- ©1998 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
Like everything else, God's ing faniine or other problems
work requires money. Even (see Corinthians 16:1-4)
Jesus’ little band of disciples I wonder if this is really
included a treasurer, as well your main problem. If you
as a number of followers who heard of a church that never
were helping to support asked for money, would you
them out of their own means" join it? | doubt it because
to remove a president through impeachment, chances of regaining the White House in 2000
and President C linton by word and deed has is a question still hotly debated.
opened the possibility ol impeachment. And Some Republicans think that by ensuring Al
Kenneth Starr has pursued the opening. Gore is the incumbent next time, and likely
I here are three basic avenues being dis- Democratic nominee, they can give the future
cussed behind closed doors on both sides in Republican nominee the best chance.
the decision-making corridors of Washington. Democrats must come at this question dif-
One: The House of Representatives votes for ferently. Gore, succeeding the president before
an impeachment trial, the Senate conducts Clinton's second term is over, would give their
the trial, decides the president must give up party a change at the top and a fresh start. But
his office, and he does. Gore's weaknesses - his dullness as a speaker
Two: Public opinion, economic conditions, and campaigner, his problems with money-
the mood of Congress and press coverage coa- raising laws in the last campaign, and his long
lesce into a critical mass of disgust, disdain association with the Clintons - are worrisome
and dismay, creating so much pressure on the to party leaders.
president and his family that he resigns. So, to Gore or not to Gore. That is the ques-
In either of these instances. Gore becomes tion on both sides of the congressional aisle,
president. Hethen nominates a new vice pres- whether or not any of the decision makers
ident, whom Congress may accept or reject. choose to put it so bluntly.
The third possibility: Congress, keying off The days and weeks of September are going
public opinion and press coverage, decides the to be tougher, rougher and nastier than most
president should be reprimanded, but slops Americans could have expected when the now
short of removal from office. Voting for an offi- lading summer began.
cial censure would be the most probable such
reprimand Questions and comments may be sent to Dan
Deciding which of these three paths to fol Rather, c/o King Features. 235 East 45 Street.
low figures to be a long, drawn-out process. New York, NY 10017.
That is. unless the president suddenly decides ©1998DJRInc.
to throw in the towel and quit. While that IS a Distributed by King Features Syndicate
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Cole, Carol. Altus Times (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 99, No. 153, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 10, 1998, newspaper, September 10, 1998; Altus, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2185689/m1/10/?q=j+w+gardner: accessed July 3, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.