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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 1992)
- mmrsTmrmsFmam wmUMjjasuiism Voters face congressional choice On Nov. 3 voters in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District will choose between 14-year in cumbent Doug Bereutcr and his challenger, Lincoln businessman Gerry Finnegan. The 1st District contest gives vot ers at the University of Ncbraska-Lincoln a clear choice. One candidate is a well financed seven-term career politician. The other is a down-to earth person leading a grass-roots cam __paign for Nebraskans. The two candidates’ financial state ments as of June 30 provide an inter esting comparison. Bereutcr, who accepts money from numerous bank ing political action committees, re ported nearly $88,000 in his war chest. In contrast,Finnegan reported $6,272. Finnegan, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy pilot, has an uphill battle ahead of him. Statis tics show incumbents arc re-elected 96 percent of the lime. Even in an election year dominated by calls for change, Bereutcr has a massive ad vantage. Finnegan’s name recognition among 1st District voters cannot begin to match Bcrcutcr’s. I’d ven ture to say this might be the first time many of you have heard of him. Finnegan represents voters who arc ready to end congressional gridlock. Ljikc many Nebraskan voters, he is disenchanted with inept government. Bcrcutcr’s 14 years in office, on the other hand, have seen the national debt spiral out of control. While I won’t place that burden entirely on the congressman’s shoul ders, I do fault him for several of his activities while in office. Bcrculcr’s most flagrant abuse of the system involves the use of his franking privileges. A recent National Taxpayers Union study showed that Bereuter ranked 52nd among the 435 members of the House of Representatives in 1991 mailing costs. During that time Bereuter sent 1,232,872 pieces of unsolicited mail to his constituents in the 1st District. The tab, which the taxpayers picked up, amounted to more than $ 157,000. Bereuter has continued to spend taxpayer dollars in 1992. According to the Taxpayers Union, he spent more than $32,000 on about 250,000 more unsolicited mailings. It’s important to remember these figures don’t include legitimate cor respondence to constituents. When a Nebraskan calls to voice an opinion, the reply received is not considered unsolicited. Unfortunately, Bereuter used only one-seventh of his total mailing costs (about $32,000 in 1991 and the first quarter of 1992) to respond to con stituents. Bereuter’s disregard for taxpayers docs not end there. He bounced 39 checks with the now-defunct House of Representatives Bank, while he was a member of the House Banking Committee. If that strikes you as a strange contrast, I agree. An average college student has probably bounced a check or two. It’s doubtful many have bounced 39. Students who have floated that number probably have spent a few days in jail. I’ll admit the House bank scandal probably isn’tcarth shattering. Itdocs, however, point out a certain arro gance on the part of Bereuter and other legislators toward Americans. Bereuter has also indulged in his share of free foreign trips. It may have been standard practice for congress men in the past, but voters arc fed up with such abuses of the system. Finnegan’s altitude toward tax payer dollars is it)uch more protec tive. He favors a constitutional amend ment to balance the budget, similar to that used in Nebraska. He knows the debt needs to be reduced, and he’s willing to do what it takes to accom plish that goal. A letter Finnegan recently sent to Sens. Rudman and Tsongas illustrates this goal. The two have endorsed a recently formed group called “Lead or Leave.” The group asks incumbents and chal lengers alike to sign a pledge promis ing to halve the budget deficit in four years. If the goal is not met, those who have signed the pledge will not run for re-election. Finnegan strongly believes in the goal of “Lead or Leave.” He plans to sign the pledge as soon as he receives it from Rudman or Tsongas. Balancing the budget is not a par tisan goal.. Both Democrats and Republicans are at fault for the situation. Con gressman Bereutcr, however, has had 14 years to bring about change. It’s lime for him to step down and let someone with fresh ideas and a new perspective take over. Gerry Finnegan is that person. Doug Bereutcr may be likable, but unfortunately he has become increas ingly arrogant and careless when it comes to taxpayer dollars. As a public official, his personal and business dealings arc subject to increased scrutiny. Clearly, they have not always passed muster. Gerry Finnegan wants change. He is not intcrcsicd in perks, and he won’t abuse the franking privilege. He will work hard to represent Ne braskans and bring new ideas to Con gress. He will help cut the federal deficit in half, or he won’t run for re-election in four years. If you’re hungry for governmental change, consider Gerry Finnegan for Congress on Nov. 3. Binning is a second-year law student and a Daily Nebraskan columnist. * “ ', ■I / .. . .-I THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT TEVA SANDALS I TEVA is the authentic sport sandal, ap proximated but never duplicated. Swim, climb, jump or run—TEVA sandals arp am phibious, durable and hold fast to your feet in raging waters, knee-deep mud and at perilous heights. Welcome Back Did you remember to pack your TEVA's? Mon-Thur 9-7 • Frl A Sal 9-6 • Sun 11-5 _rmtfK_ 27th & Vine CYCL£ WORKS 475 -B,KE The [15=^ MOOSE'S TOOTH Outdoor Sports & Travel 4007 'O' Street 489-4649" “V, . —— •TENNIS RACQUETS* *ALL WATER SKI GEAR* *GOLFSET$* •SUMMER SPORTSWEAR* -FITNESS EQUIPMENT* • ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR* •ALL 1991 SNOW SKI EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING* •PLUS! IN-STORE SPECIALS ON NEW FALL MERCHANDISE • •ROLLERBLADE RENTAL LIQUIDATION* ■ FRIDAY • SATURDAY • SUNDAY 10AM -8PM 10AM-6PM NOON-5PM ■ M^LORS