ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 5, 1997 TAG: 9701030072
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Term limits are needed for judges
IN 1994, an amendment (Proposition 187) to the California state constitution was passed by California voters to withhold medical care, education and other social services from individuals who illegally entered the country and resided in that state.
Recently another amendment (Proposition 209) was approved by California voters to forbid the state from engaging in discrimination against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group.
Restraining orders preventing the implementation of both these amendments have been issued by judges who apparently are determined to force the California society to move in directions diametrically opposed by the electorate.
Several weeks ago, another judge ruled that Hawaii must issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples, notwithstanding that over 70 percent of the residents oppose homosexual marriage.
And in Colorado, a proposed revision of the state constitution, one that would deny homosexuals any claim for preferential treatment or protected status under the law, has been struck down - despite overwhelming support by citizens.
In these instances, the courts have, in effect, declared that the people do not have the right to establish the rules of civility and set the standards of decency by which they wish to live.
It should be readily apparent that the greatest enemy to America's government of, by and for the people is our judiciary. In more and more instances, the will of the majority and provisions of the U.S. Constitution are being thwarted by the interpretation, and applied as a function of, the ideological biases of those who happen, at any given moment, to be sitting on our courts.
The 10th amendment to the Constitution, which specifically limits the power of the federal government, has not been repealed - but it has been abandoned. We the people, therefore, have a clear and compelling self-interest in expanding the concept of term limits to include all members of the judiciary, from top to bottom.
CLAUDE E. STEWART JR.
VINTON
Nurses must take leadership roles
REGARDING THE recent barrage of publicity that nursing and Carilion Health System have received, I feel compelled to give another point of view.
Having nearly 20 years of hospital experience in the nursing profession, the last half at Carilion, I am delighted with some of the changes that the health-care business is undergoing.
I have often felt it wasteful, from a business and nursing point of view, that a registered nurse performs tasks that unlicensed assisting personnel could perform. A professional nurse is best utilized in patient/family education, and in developing and directing a workable plan of care. There are many times in hospitals when critical orders are delayed because the registered nurse is tied up doing tasks that unlicensed staff could do.
The health-care trend of using unlicensed staff has long been needed, and no union is going to stop the campaign for cutting waste in the health-care industry. Nurses must start to think like businesswomen and position themselves to be the leaders in health-care reform by proving their worth and selling it. A proactive stance is needed rather than a reactive one. Nursing is in a prime position to direct the education of unlicensed staff.
A large, well-educated, primarily female force like nursing does not need a labor union to lead it. Nurses can take control for themselves, and then take the credit.
I believe Carilion would rather spend dollars on quality nursing staff that can prove its worth than on the process of negotiating with a labor union. Nursing does not need the middleman.
ELEANOR AUSTIN
ROANOKE
Hokie coverage is to gag on
I WISH to extend my congratulations to the Hokies on their gridiron success this past season. But I believe I can speak for most of the area's non-Hokies-fan population when I say to The Roanoke Times, WDBJ, WSET and WSLS: Pease! Enough coverage is enough!
I feel as if I'd been force-fed Hokie football coverage almost every night on the local sports news as well as several times daily in the newspaper.
The straw that broke the camel's back came on the WSLS evening news on Dec. 29 when several minutes were dedicated to showing Hokie fans boarding planes bound for the Orange Bowl. Please - who cares? Can't better use be made of air time than this?
I can only dread what the local media have in store for us if the Hokie basketball team has a winning season!
How about toning the coverage down a bit? You're choking us to death!
BARRY JOYCE
SALEM
Allen should take the federal funds
THE ALLEN administration's decision to reject $15 million in federal money for education over the next two years, rather than find a way to mesh federal mandates with state goals, is a slap in the face to the average Virginia taxpayer.
No other state has rejected this federal money.
In an era of strained school budgets, slashed athletic and academic programs, and overcrowded schools, it is Gov. Allen's responsibility to seek and use whatever funds are available, especially to ease the burden on local taxes.
What exactly is wrong with trying to establish minimal national standards for education? This would help ensure that academic achievements are transferable from state to state, which is important in a mobile society. It might help level the playing field among states. In any case, Gov. Allen should bend over backwards to find a way to accept $15 million without compromising Virginia's own education goals.
If Attorney General Jim Gilmore or other Republican disciples of the governor parrot the rejection of Goals 2000 money as a campaign issue this year, common sense Democrats and independents will rightfully have a field day with this topic.
Virginia taxpayers should demand that Allen and his administration stop posturing and find a way to mesh Virginia goals with federal goals - as every other state has done.
GENE MARRANO
ROANOKE
Giovanni spoke for many Tech fans
THANK GOODNESS for writers like Nikki Giovanni (Dec. 26 letter to the editor, ``Tech football team deserves fair play''). She has the talent and took the time to put into words what most supporters of Virginia Tech think.
Perhaps Jim Boyd Jr., the Virginia Beach educator who wrote the Dec. 25 letter to the editor, ``Pride in Tech is being strained,'' will read Giovanni's letter and get the answers he sought.
NOBLE MOORE
BLACKSBURG
Gingrich's critics are hypocrites
HOW DARE the Democrats in Washington and around this country criticize Newt for ethical violations! Their hypocrisy and arrogance exceed all understanding!
Future historians will look back and cite Bill Clinton and his bimbo and his associates as the most unethical, hypocritical and politically self-serving administration of any in the history of the United States.
``Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.''
That would silence the Clinton administration for all time. Can you possibly disagree?
PHIL T. PAFFORD
ROANOKE
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