editorial
Ford budget doesn 'f add up
It doesn't take much knowledge of
mathematics to see that President Ford's budget
proposal doesn't add up.
In his message to Congress Monday, Ford
proposed a S349.4 billion budget for fiscal 1976,
a $35 billion increase over this year. Revenues
were estimated at $279.5 billion, up $18.8
billion. That leaves $51.9 billion unaccounted
for-the largest deficit since the height of World
War II.
If things were normal, Ford told reporters last
weekend, revenue would be up $40 billion, aid to
the unemployed would be down $12.7 billion
and the budget would be balanced.
The President, it appears, has not given up on
fairy tales.
Sadly enough, Congress hasn't either. While
Ford views the deficit as the unfortunate result
of an economic miscarriage, Congress appears
ready to argue that if things are bad we might as
well make them worse.
The result of that reasoning could be an even
larger deficit-perhaps as high as $70 billion. It
should do wonders for unemployment, but the
price of WIN buttins-along with everything
else-will probably go up.
Ford asked Congress to "walk the extra mile"
with him by cutting existing programs $17
billion. In the interests of balancing inflation
against unemployment, Congress should do just
that. If it doesn't work, they should keep on
walking. The American public will find someone
to take their place.
The crucial question, of course, is where are
the cuts to be made? If Congress is looking for a
nice, juicy piece of budgetary pie to slip their
knife into, that slice on the plate of national
defense is the place to go.
Ford's proposal calls for a record $94 billion
defense budget-$8.7 billion more than this year.
Richard Nixon promised a generation of peace.
The price of peace, his successor seems to think,
is increasing our capability to make war.
Included in that amount, is $600 million more
than last year for the Air Force's purchase of 108
new F15 fighter planes. The Air Force also is
seeking $749.2 million for continued
development of the Bl manned bomber-60 per
cent more than Congress voted for the aircraft
last year.
Food for Peace, it seems, is being replaced by
Fodder for War. The same president who last fall
supported the World Food Conference in Rome
has this spring requested a $95 million cut in
Food for Peace from $1,165 billion this year to
$1.07 billion.
The Ford prescription for economic health
needs a little doctoring. Anything more than
that, if not done with proper precaution, could
make the patient a candidate for major surgery.
Wes Albers
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'Kid' wants comeback-won't buy tape recorder
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Good morning, insomniacs. It's time for The Awful Late Show,
featuring that awful old movie, "The Comeback Kid" - starring
the beloved old ex-champ, Dick, and his loyal wife, Pat, who has
always wanted him to quit the fight game forever.
As you remember, The Comeback Kid hadn't won a fight for 1 6
years until he finally captured the title on a split decision. But
then, at the height of fame and fortune and only after a long,
grueling battle, he was tossed out of the ring for fighting dirty.
Ever since, he's been recovering from his injuries. But now . . .
The Kid (show boxing around the room): Take that for
America, you dirty rats. And that! And that!
Pat (entering aghast): Kid! You should be resting.
The Kid: Don't worry, baby. The Doc says I'm back in shape.
He says I can now travel anywhere in the country, even
Washington. You can't keep a good man down.
Pat (pleading): But, Kid, your trials in Washington are over.
The Kid (nodding): That's another reason I'm feeling better.
Like I told old Barry when he came to visit last week, now I'm
ready to get back in the ring, striking blows for an effective foreign
policy, decency in government . . .
Pat: Why don't you just stick to foreign policy, Kid?
The Kid: Then I'm going to go around helping young comers I
like, giving them advice and my invaluable public support.
Pat: You mean they want it?
The Kid: Sure. Already a post card's come flooding in. Listen to
this: 'If you want to help me out, why don't you go to Uganda?'
That's funny, I don't remember any comers in Uganda.
Pat (wringing her hands): Don't you see, Kid? You're through.
You're washed up. They don t want you any more. You're no
longer the champ.
The Kid: I only lost my title on a technicality.
Pat: Kid, they've got the evidence on your own tapes. They
disqualified you for a low blow.
The Kid: It sure was a low blow, disqualifying me. But I'll get
the title back. First, I'll have to fight a few pre-lims. Line up Helen
Gahagen Douglas. She's a pushover. Then I'll take on that
bumbling club fighter, Brown, who knocked me out with a lucky
punch. 1 understand he just recaptured the California title. Then...
Pat: No, Kid, that's his son who has it now.
The Kid (frowning): Time sure does fly. Well, it won't be easy.
But I'm no quitter. And I'm not a crook either.
Pat (falling to her knees): Please, Kid, renounce the sordid fight
game and remain the simple, unspoiled, rich real estate entrepreneur
I have come to know and love.
The Kid: Fighting's in my blood, baby. But I'll make it back to
the top. Jewels from foreign potenates, limousines, Easy street.
Don't worry, this time I'm not going to make the same mistake.
Pat: Wht mistake, Kid?
The Kid (punching his palm with his fist): This time I'm not
going to buy a tape recorder.
(Copyright Chronicle Publishing Co. 1975)
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page 4
daily nebraskan
thursday, february 6, 1975
