Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 12, 1994 TAG: 9409130040
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Coia urges doing away with employee elections to determine the question of union representation. Statistics show that many employees who are talked into signing union cards don't vote for unions.
It is essential that employees' right to a secret-ballot election be preserved. That is fair to both management and unions.
Coia wants more pressure put on employers to sign union contracts with newly organized unions. He notes that one-third of work places that vote for union representation do not obtain labor contracts with the employer.
It would be wrong to change the law. Bargaining is a two-way street, and employers are not required to roll over and play dead for unions. Unions can strike to put pressure on employers, and employers have the right to hire replacements for strikers.
Union membership in the private sector is down. Unions want more dues-paying members. Workers have seen that unions can make a lot of promises, but can't guarantee them.
Workers have also seen that unions don't pay wages or create business conditions. No employer is perfect, but employers can work directly with employees to solve problems, and to provide decent working conditions without the presence of an outside third party that wants employees' money.
Unions want labor-law changes to provide what the unions haven't been able to accomplish. Such changes are not in the best interests of employees or employers.
RAYMOND R. ROBRECHT SALEM
Clinton deserves no credit for economy
IN RESPONSE to the Aug. 26 editorial, ``An economic plan that worked'':
Before we fall over ourselves, let's look at a few facts, something your staff writers tend to ignore on occasion.
Bill Clinton's economic plan has not had time to make much of an impact on the economy. He took office in January 1993; his economic plan took effect October 1993.
There isn't much inflation because there's not much growth either. Some would argue we are still in a recession, depending on geography.
The deficit is coming down because it's being financing with short-term bonds, at a lower interest rate. Even the administration's own estimates admit the need to refinance. The deficit will balloon again. To say Clinton's plan has helped reduce interest rates is a lie.
As a result of the 1990 budget-deficit deal, the feds had to lower interest rates for at least two years to jump-start the economy. It finally worked.
Then comes Clinton, and in 1992 another deficit-reduction package was passed, almost identical to the budget deal of 1990. Interest rates stayed down through November 1993, but started up again in December, and are still moving upward.
And to say Ronald Reagan was responsible for our national debt is simply not true. Since when can a sitting president spend one iota, without getting congressional approval first? Since 1965, America has spent more than $5 trillion on social-welfare programs.
JULIAN LEE CINCIONI HARDY
Gospel truth and public prayer
SEVERAL states, under intense pressure from Christian fundamentalists and far-right politicians, have passed or are considering legislation mandating ``moments of silence'' or ``school prayer.''
I've noticed that most, if not all, debate concerning this issue seems to neglect its most important aspect - what Jesus himself actually said regarding public prayer. Therefore, it's necessary to refresh our memories with the words of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew:
``And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father shall reward thee openly.''
Obviously, Jesus possessed wisdom to differentiate between genuine and phony worship among his people - wisdom that should settle the school-prayer issue for all time.
CARL KESNER ROANOKE
At least he wasn't chewing tobacco
PINOCCHIO'S nose grew longer when he lied. Oliver North's teeth separated when he lied through them.
Spitting? That's another story. (Aug. 28 news story, ``North on target with spitting image.'') That's when bad boys used to get their mouth washed out with soap.
They still should.
VIVIAN S. PRICE MARION
Drinking, cruising without a care
THERE WERE four of you in a blue Trans-Am, probably just riding around on a Thursday night. I saw you on Interstate 81 and onto I-581, where I believe you got off on the Peters Creek Road exit.
I was incredulous at your apparent brashness as I watched the driver drink the last of his beer. You never know who'll see you, but it appears as if you'll get away with drinking and driving this time.
My surprise turned to anger as I thought about what would happen if you were to cause an accident due to the careless drinking of a beer or two. My anger became sorrow as I thought of all of the families destroyed because of idiots like you who take drinking and driving so lightly.
After sorrow came pity - pity that you apparently do not have a clue as to how precious life is.
AUSTIN BLESSARD COLUMBIA, S.C.
Good to know God is in charge
I AM so disappointed that society teaches evolution to our children. Any person with sense will realize that this theory is a lie. In an age where truth is so important, we're actually teaching this lie to our children!
Evolution doesn't make sense. As I was taught in school, gases and matter came together making a huge explosion, which formed the universe. If evolution were the case, who created the gases and matter that came together to form the universe?
I posed this question to my college professor, and she replied, ``Well, that's where we don't know.''
Well, isn't it obvious? No wonder society is so confused. We tell ourselves to be honest, not to lie, then turn right around and teach lies.
Isn't it nice to believe God is in charge of everything, and not man? I think so. Why are fish still fish, apes still apes, etc.?
JOHN PALMIERI ROANOKE
North would oppose officialdom's crimes
RECENTLY, our senators passed the crime bill by one vote. (Thanks, Chuck Robb!) Clinton is expected to sign it this month.
We have no idea of how the federal government will enforce the gun ban, or cover the cost to carry it out. Will local police departments be required to search neighbors' homes, or will the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms be called in? We know how it handles resistance.
If people protest, they may find tactics used like those in Pulaski County against James Mullins. Officials entered his home, took his property, and put him in jail without bond.
People, there are some serious questions here. I sure wish we had Oliver North in Washington instead of Robb. If he had been, we wouldn't be faced with this dilemma today.
SHEILA L. MYERS MARION
Is U.S. heading Havana's way?
I HEAR people ask: Why don't the citizens of Cuba rise up and overthrow Castro and his government?
The correct answer is: The citizens have no guns. Government took them away.
Are we next?
DAVID W. DAVIS II SALEM
by CNB