'-
R . The Daily Tar Heel Wednesday. September 23. 1976
Debate preview Carte
r
Ford
on
the
ISS UQS
Compiled by
LINDA MORRIS
Editor's note; The following
articles have been compiled
from a Common Cause
report "How Thev
Stand"
Inflation, Jobs,
Unemployment
Carter states that "there
are more humane and
economically sound
solutions (to inflation)
than forced recessions and
high unemployment." He
will battle inflation
through a steady flow of
jobs, reform of
government regulation
Carter plans to use zero-based budgeting to help curtail
government spending. "I think that a strong emphasis
toward comprehensive planning and carefully prepared
budgets can reduce large deficits and therefore contribute to
controlled inflation. Carter will insist that every government
program that spends taxpayers' money rejustify itself
annually.
Carter opposes accross-the-board permanent wage and
price controls but says he does favor standby controls, which
the President can apply selectively. "I wouldn't hesitate to
use them if I had to."
Carter wants to implement a national food policy that
would do away with food shortages and excessive price
increases that hit hard at the average consumer. "We should
maintain a predictable, reasonably small and stable reserve
of agricultural products." Carter wants to strive to give
farmers incentives to produce abundantly.
Carter feels a major priority of the next administration has
got to be employment. "My own belief is that we can get the
adult unemployment rate down to 3 per cent or the overall
rate down to 4.5 per cent without any adverse effect on
inflation." Carter hopes to strengthen the private sector and
not guarantee "everybody that they will get a job from the
federal government." Carter places emphasis on establishing
government incentives for private industry to hire the
unemployed and retain them, increased government
commitment to funding of on-the-job training, more
ef fecient employment services to match people and jobs and
better manpower training programs.
Carter says the federal government "has an obligation to
provide funds for useful and productive public employment
(to) those whom private business cannot or will not hire." He
will do this through summer youth jobs and accelerated
public works programs targeted to national needs. Carter
favors channeling of jobs into the private sector whenever
possible.
Role Of the Federal Government
Carter emphasizes the need for more efficiency in the
federal government to make it more responsive. "We must
give top priority to a drastic and thorough revision and
reorganization of the federal bureaucracy, to its budgeting
system and to the procedures for analyzing the effectiveness
of its services."
He favors the extension of the federally funded revenue
sharing programs to the states and calls for an "increase in '
the annual funding level to compensate for inflation and
enforcement of the civil rights provisions of the bill to
guarantee against discriminatory use of the funds."
Carter has proposed a transportation policy for the nation
that especially helps railroads and will increase efficiency
and effectiveness of the total system. "We need a national
comprehensive transportation policy, and it is obvious that
the savings in fuel, operating and pollution costs from
intensive use of railroads should provide them with a
competitive advantage over other forms of transportation."
Carter emphasizes the need for coordinated government
planning in the economic sector. "It is imperative that we
study ways to anticipate problems rather than await their
arrival and once again react with ill-conceived solutions in a
crisis environment." Carter applies this theory to planning
for unemployment, inflation, the environment and natural
resources allocation.
Energy and Environment
Carter is extremely critical of the nation's lack of a definite
energy policy. "It is unlikely that we will be totally
'independent' of oil imports during this century. It is
certainly not possible or necessary for us to be energy
independent by 1985, but we should be free from possible
blackmail or economic disaster which might be caused by
another boycott." Carter feels the nation must be more
conservative in its energy use and favors strong conservation
measures including mandatory energy reduction guidelines.
He is also opposed to a large, single company owning all
phases of production and distribution of oil. "To insure
maximum protection for our consumers during the coming
years of increasing energy shortages, anti-trust laws must be
rigidly enforced. Maximum disclosure of data on reserve
supplies and production must be required."
Carter favors the use of alternative energy sources with
less emphasis on nuclear power. "U.S. dependence on
nuclear power should be kept to the minimum necessary to
meet our needs. We should apply much stronger safety
standards as we regulate its use. And we must be honest with
our people concerning its problems and dangers." Carter
sees an immediate need to make the most of our coal supply
without harming environmental quality. ". . . We must
invest in improving mining efficiency, cleaner combustion
technology and a better transportation system for moving
coal to its end-users."
Carter places environmental quality above development
concerns. "Whenever there is a conflict between
development and environmental quality, if it can be
resolved, 1 will be for the project; when it can't, I would go
with the environment. I want to make it clear, if there is ever
a conflict, I will go for beauty, clean air, water and
landscape."
Health Care
..Carter sees the present health care system in need of
drastic reorganization. He proposes a national health
insurance program "financed by general tax revenues and
employer-employee shared payroll taxes which is
universal and mandatory." Carter calls for a streamlining of
the "bureaucratic sprawl" of federal health agencies. His
program would allow for some private administration of the
program, but rates for both institutional and personal
medical care would be set in advance. Carter's program
would be phased in over a four-year period.
Welfare Reform
Carter recognizes three distinct categories of poor people
the unemployable poor, the jobless poor -.tud the working
poor. "No person on welfare should receive more than the
w orking poor can earn at their jobs; strong work incentives,
job creation and job training should be provided for those on
welfare able to work; family stability shou'd be encouraged
by assuring that no family's financial situation will be
harmed by the breadwinner remaining with his dependents;
efforts should be made to have fathers who abandon their
family be forced to continue support; the welfare system
should be streamlined and simplified . . . (and) persons who
are legitimately on welfare should be treated with respect
and dignity." Carter calls for a uniform, nationwide payment
with adjustments made for differences in living costs
between different areas. The program would be partly
subsidized by the government, but strong work incentives
would be placed within the structure.
Abortion
Carter is opposed to a .constitutional amendment
prohibiting abortion, although he opposes it personally. "I
don't think government should do anything to encourage
abortion. 1 think abortion is the result of a failure of
measures designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to
induce the mother to carry the unwanted child through to
delivery. I think we should do everything to have better
education, family planning, contraceptives, if desired."
Busing
Carter opposes mandatory busing. "This well-intentioned
idea has contributed little to the equalization of education
opportunity, has often resulted in a decreased level of
integration over the long term and has divided and side
tracked our efforts toward improving education for all
children." Carter emphasizes that he would support any
decision the Supreme Court handed down even if it
conflicted with his personal beliefs. He does not favor a
constitutional amendment to prohibit busing and adds,.
"Ultimately, 1 think the best solution is voluntary transfers
for students who want it and adequate representation of
minority leadership in the administration of a school
system."
International Relations and National Security
Carter feels the Nixon-Ford administration evolved a
secretive "Lone Ranger" foreign policy, in which it was
Compiled by
PETE MASTERMAN
Inflation, Jobs,
Unemployment
Ford feels that federal
fiscal policy is as
important as monetary
policy. But Ford's basic
solution is that "the
government must stop
spending so much and
borrowing so much of our
money; to .hold down the
cost of living, we must
hold down the cost of
government."
Ford frankly feels that
"based on past history of wage and price controls during .
peacetime they (price and wage controls) don't work."
As for high food prices, Ford says that "our big problem is
the middle-man profit. The farmer doesn't get it, and the
consumer doesn't get it," and one of the jobs of government
"is to find out why there is such an abnormally high
differential between what the farmer gets and what the
consumer pays." Ford also says he believes Secretary of
Agriculture Earl Butz "is one of the finest Secretaries our
country has ever had."
As for unemployment, Ford says "the best and most
effective way to create new jobs is to pursue balanced
economic policies that encourage the growth of the private
sector without risking a new round of inflation." Ford says
that "everyone who wants a job has to have a job under my
administration."
He says his program is "expected to produce lasting,
productive jobs not temporary jobs paid for by the
American taxpayers."
Ford opposes the Humphrey-Hawkins bill, and he vetoed
the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 savins it "would
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necessary to "forego openness, consultation and a constant
adherence to fundamental principles and high moral
standards." Carter calls for a reordering of foreign policy
priorities where high-level negotiations with communist
powers take second place to reestablishing a working
relationship with our close allies.
Carter thinks the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty talks
(SALT) have succeeded "largely in changing che build-up in
strategic arms from a 'quantitative' to a 'qualitative arms
race." Carter wants to get down to the real issue of the SALT
negotiations, "the actual negotiation of reductions in
strategic forces and measures effectively halting the race in
strategic weapons technology."
Carter wants to improve relations with developing nations
through two means; first, by widening opportunities for
consultation between democratic nations and the developing
nations, and second, by assisting those nations that are in the
direst need by lowering trade barriers and increasing support
to international agencies that supply capital to Third World
nations.
Carter plans to cut defense spending by implementing
efficiency in the military structure. "Without endangering
the defense of our nation or our commitments to our allies,
we can reduce present expenditures by $5 to $7 billion
annually." Carter thinks the United States has too many
military bases overseas and wants to reduce gradually the
troop commitments of the United States to NATO territory
in Europe. Carter is concerned about the United States' role
as arms salesman to the world and said, "We and our allies
must work together to limit the flow of arms into the
developing world."
Carter comes down hard on military intervention and
covert intelligence actions. "We must respect the results of
democratic elections and the fight of countries to make their
own free choice if we are to remain faithful to our own ideals.
We must learn to live with diversity, and we can continue to
cooperate, so long as such political parties respect the
democratic process, uphold existing international
commitments and are not subservient to external political
direction." Carter sees intelligence agencies as responsible
for supplying information for foreign policy decisions, not
overthrowing governments or making secret foreign policy."
On the subject of detente, Carter feels the relationship
must be one of both cooperation and competition. Carter
feels that "mutual advantage must be apparent, or the
American people will not support the policy."
In other foreign policy areas; Carter would "be willing to
renegotiate the payment terms on the (Panama) Canal" and
to delete the term 'perpetuity' from the treaty. Carter favors
continued economic aid to Israel and the development of an
overall, long-term settlement. He feels that Kissinger's step-by-step
approach in the Middle East as ended its usefullness.
require $3.95 billion in federal spending above and beyond
what is necessary."
Ford does advocate funding the Comprehensive
Education Training Act (CETA) so that those who graduate
without a skill can be trained for a skill where there is a
demand.
Private market incentives which are to spur the economy
include "large and permanent tax reductions that will leave
more money where it can do the most good: in the hands of
the American people; incentives for the construction of new
plants and equipment in areas of high unemployment; and
more than $21 billion in outlays in the fiscal year beginning
October 1 for important public works such as energy
facilities, waste water treatment plants, roads and veterans'
hospitals.
Role of the Federal Government
Ford strongly emphasizes the role of the private sector in
keeping the United States moving. "We must not continue
drifting in the direction of bigger and bigger government.
The driving force of our 200-year history has been our
private sector. If we rely on it and nurture it, the economy
will continue to grow, providing new and better choices for
our people and the resources necessary to meet our shared
needs."
"One of my most important weapons is the veto," Ford
contends, and he says that of the 49 vetoed bills, 42 have been
sustained, "saving the American taxpayer $13 billion."
As for aid to the cities, Ford says he "would make sure that
the Congress passes what is called revenue sharing." He says
he would also urge continuation of the Law Enforcement
Act and attempt to create a temporary line of credit to the
state of New York.
Finally Ford has appointed a 13-member committee that
includes eight Cabinet members to study the problems of
cities.
Ford feels that federal regulatory agencies need to be
"systematically overhauled" to put the agencies back into
their original role of protecting the people.
Ford rejects economic planning, citing it as just another
intrusion of government in the private sector.
Energy and Environment
Ford feels that ithe United States must become energy
sufficient. "We must reduce our vulnerability to the
economic disruption which a few foreign countries can cause
by cutting off our energy supplies or by arbitrarily raising
prices.
"The problem is not an immediate shortage. The problem
is that we are becoming more and more dependent on foreign
oil imports."
To become energy sufficient. Ford says we must increase
U nited States production of oil and natural gas. And "unless
we utilize our vast resources of coal, unless we expedite the
construction and installation of more nuclear power plants,
unless we more rapidly develop some of our exotic fuels, our
dependence on foreign oil will go up and up."
Ford has asked for a 63 per cent increase in funding for
energy conservation research and development in his 1977
budget.
As for the regulation of energy prices in this country, Ford
says he "recommends the de-regulation of all new natural
gas . . . We have to de-regulate the exploration and
development of crude oil . . . We have to spend research
and development money on solar energy, on geothermal
energy and some of the other exotic fuels."
The energy industry, Ford feels, should be "supervised"
but not torn apart. "I don't think you produce more oil or
more gas by tearing apart the oil companies in the United
States."
Ford strongly urges Congress to give high priority to his
Nuclear Fuel. Assurance Act that would provide enriched
uranium needed for commercial nuclear power plants here
and abroad.
Ford also proposes to create an Energy Independence
Authority, a government corporation to assist private
sectors in financing new energy facilities. Ford believes
"greater utilization must be made of nuclear energy in order
to achieve energy independence and maintain a strong
economy." He also feels it is vital that "we continue our
world leadership as a reliable supplier of nuclear technology
in order to assure that worldwide growth in nuclear power is
achieved with responsible and effective controls."
Land use, Ford says, should be left up to the state and
local governments who "can make better decisions as to land
use . . . than the federal government."
Ford is opposed to strip mining and feels that the Clear
Air Act "unnecessarily discourages greater coal
production." "I pursue the goal of clean air and water, but I
must also pursue the objective of maximum jobs and
continued economic growth."
Health Care
Ford is against a national health insurance plan saying
"we cannot realistically afford federally dictated national
health insurance providing full coverage for all ... I do
envision the day when we may use the private health
insurance system to offer more middle-income families high
quality health services at prices they can afford."
Ford is asking Congress to enact the Financial Assistance
for Health Care Act which will consolidate Medicaid and 15
categorical federal health programs into a $10 billion block
grant to the states. He says the public will receive more
money for health needs under this act.
Welfare Reform
Ford considers the welfare system a "mess" and has
proposed "a sweeping overhaul." He blames all levels of
government for the poor shape of the system today. He said
it invites abuse and "worse, we are wasting badly needed
resources without reaching many of the truly needy."
Some proposed changes include: Presidential authority to
modify federally assisted programs for which there is a
means test, e.g. Food Stamps, Aid for Dependent Children
and Social Security. Ford also wants authority to modify
administrative procedures and elibigility requirements.
Abortion
Ford says he is against abortion "on demand" but believes
that it is justified in cases of rape and where the woman's life
is in danger.
Again Ford pledges to uphold the laws of the land but has
r posed a Constitutional amendment leaving to the states
the task of re-defining limits on abortion.
Busing
While pledging to uphold the laws of the land, Ford also
feels forced busing to achieve racial balance is not the right
way to get quality education.
Ford says he believes "that quality education can be
enhanced by better school facilities, lower pupil-teacher
ratios, improvement of neighborhoods and possibly by other
alterations."
International Relations and National Security
Ford feels that the United States must remain a dominant
world power: "In the final analysis, as the framers of our
Constitution knew from hard experience, the foreign
relations of the United States can be conducted effectively
only if there is strong central direction that allows flexibility
of action. That responsibility clearly rest with the
president . . ." "Our military forces are capable and ready;
our military power is without equal. And I intend to keep it
that way."
As for arms control and the SALT agreement. Ford says,
"I can assure you we will not give more than we get," but he
wants to continue working toward a SALT II agreement.
Ford feels that "we should help people less well-off than
ourselves" for two reasons. One, humanitarian, and two, "in
order to help ourselves in the implementation and execution
of our foreign policy." Ford also believes the United States
"should have a meaningful presence in substantial parts of
Africa" and believes that we should not sit "idly by while the
Soviet Union and Cuba seek control and dominate
significant parts of Africa."
In military spending. Ford believes we should "reverse"
the past trend of cutting the defense budget. He does,
however, advocate "trimming off all the fat that we can."
Ford insists that work continue on the Trident submarine,
the B-l bomber, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. He also
feels the U.S. Navy should retain its superiority over the
Russian navy.
Ford feels electronic surveillance in the United States for
foreign intelligence purposes should be permitted upon
consent of the federal courts. The opening of mail sent to or
from suspected foreign agents engaged in spying and
sabotage or terrorism should also be permitted upon consent
of the federal courts.
Ford has asked Congress to make it a crime to plan or
carry out an assassination of a foreign official in peacetime.
As for detente. Ford says that "we have achieved a two
way street" and expects that the policy will continue.
Although "detente" has been officially dropped from
Ford's vocabulary he says aetente means "a fervent desire for
peace but not peace at any price. It means the preservation
of fundamental American principles, not their sacrifices."
Ford is very strong on the Panama issue. "I can simply
say and say it emphatically that the United States will
never give up its defense rights to the Panama Canal and will
never give up its operational rights as far as Panama is
concerned."
The President's budget calls for a $500 million reduction
in military aid for Israel in fiscal 1977. He allotted $1.5
billion for 1976. According to Ford, the 1977 budget request
"is fully adequate to meet Israel's future security
requirements."