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12 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2005 BOARD EDITORIALS COVERING THE GAPS Anew UNC-system health insurance plan could be risky to the rest of the state, but it’s worth looking into because of the potential benefits. A task force commissioned by the UNC-system Office of the President is looking into alterna tives to the state’s primary health insurance plan. And thank goodness for it. The root of the problem with the current option or, rather, the lack thereof seems to be the exor bitant amount of money that it takes to cover one’s family members using the plan, which is the only one available to state employees. It is abundantly clear that workers’ feelings regard ing the State Health Plan range from indifference to outright dissatisfaction. As many of these employees already have to balance their salaries with living costs, large insurance payments only add to the burden. That’s why a “pilot project” that could provide UNC system employees with more choice is a great idea. Of course, there is some danger involved in giving the UNC system the reins of its own health options. If a significant number of people move out from under the State Health Plan’s umbrella, those left behind might become that much more vulnerable to unforeseen budgetary dilemmas. TOO BIG A TRADE-OFF A goal to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions in the town sounds good, but it could mean fewer Carolina North parking spaces than needed. Chapel Hill has been known for being at the forefront of environmental progressivism. But a bold proposal before a Town Council com mittee an effort to reduce carbon-dioxide emis sions by 60 percent by the year 2050 could cost the University dearly in the end. On its face, such a goal is highly ambitious and would improve public health in this town. But to achieve it, Chapel Hill officials would have to find ways to reduce the amount of car traffic. And one way they certainly could do so would be to cut the number of parking spaces the University aims to incorporate into its satellite campus, Carolina North. The development proposals for Carolina North call for 16,000 to 20,000 parking spaces to be built alongside research facilities, shops and residential areas. This collection of parking spaces could become a logical target for regulation. “I think that type of design could not withstand the rigors of reducing our carbon emissions by 60 percent or reducing them at all,” council member Jim Ward told The (Durham) Herald-Sun. But the University can’t afford to lose these spaces KEEP YOUR PROMISE State officials shouldn’t go back on their word to taxpayers by letting a 4-year-old half-cent increase in the N.C. sales tax remain in place. Gov. Mike Easley’s new budget proposal clearly puts the state ahead of its citizens, especially its poorer ones. The half-cent of the sales tax that was set to go off the books this summer features prominently in the governor’s budget. Easley projects that it would cost the state more than S4OO million to reduce the sales tax by half a cent. But this would amount to anew tax, as state offi cials had promised to sunset the sales tax increase, which was passed by lawmakers in 2001 and extend ed in 2003, this year. Of course, now that the state has been able to take advantage of the additional money for some time, it obviously is reluctant to give it back no matter what was promised to taxpayers. One of the biggest problems with using the sales tax to raise revenue is that any increases in the tax fall most heavily on those who can least afford the extra financial burden. Low-income North Carolinians will feel the pinch of everyday goods being marginally more expensive before people in higher income brackets do. EDITOR'S NOTE: The above editorials are the opinions of solely The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board, and were reached after open debate. The board consists of seven board members, the editorial page associate editor, the editorial page editor and the DTH editor. The 2004-05 DTH editor decided not to vote on the board and not to write board editorials. lHjf Until} aar Hppl PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF Business and Advertising: Paul Isom, general manager; Chrissy Beck, advertising director; Lisa Reichle, business manager, Megan Gilchrist, retail sales manager, Ellen Withrow, assistant business manager. Customer Service: Megan Barber, Assistant Editors: Margaret Hair and Jim Walsh, arts & entertainment, Brianna Bishop, Meredith Lee Miller and Ted Strong, city; Scott Spillman and Cat Williams, copy; Jennifer Alliet and Daniel BeDen, design; Jeff Kim, editorial; Jacqueline Brill and Torrye Jones, features; Alex Foley, online; Whitney Shefte and Brandon Smith, photography; Mary Duby, Briana Gorman and Rachel Soder, sports, Eric Johnson, Megan McSwam and Kavita Pillai, state & national; Lindsay Michel, Jenny Ruby and Joseph Schwartz, university. Arts & Entertainment: Nick Parker and Kristen Williams, senior writers; Jacky Brammer, Andrew Chan, John Coggin, William Fonvielle. Amy Jackson, Harry Kaplowitz, Ayofemi Kirby, Leah Konen, Stanton Kido, Kate Lord, Salem Neff, Robbie Mackey, Ben Pittard, Tom Previte, Rachel Richey, Jackie Randell, Blair Raynor, John Sullivan, and Arley Wolber. City: Dan Schwind, senior writer, Jonathan Burns, Chris Carmichael, Meghan Davis, Susie Dickson, Jennifer Fair, Gregg Found, Spencer Gipple, Melody Guyton, Matthew Hair, Zachary Jepsen, Laura Oleniacz, Jake Potter, Brandon Reed, Kathryn Reed, Adam W. Rhew, Catherine Sharoky, Sam Shepard, Mona Soni, Liz Stanley, Eren Tataragasi, Michael Todd and Emily Vasquez. Copy: Benton Heimsath and Shannon Hennessy, sports copy; Jenny Doster, Spencer Gipple, Ashley Mullins, Kate Polichnowski, Megan Povse, Kia Thacker and Laura Youngs, representatives. Display Advertising: Kate Bingham, Amy Fuschino, Jorie Gripman, Andy Lunnen, Sarah Oglesby, Annette Parker, Phabienne Chrissy Edwards, Jen Kling, Philip McFee, Andy McNulty, Linsday Naylor, Christina Rexrode, Renan Snowden and Leila Watkins. Design: Neena Ajwani, Sulhye Bang, Amy Dombrower, Rachel Ferguson, Ryan Gardiner, Ginny Hendrix, Mandy McDermott, Harris Snove'ln and Lynda Yang. Editorial: Jillian Bandes, Douglas Block, Chris Cameron, Daniel Grinder, John Kunza, Alyssa Levine, Jessica Seism and Joseph Starnes, editorial board, Amon Anderson, Lauren Craig, Derwin Dubose, Timur Hammond and Philip Hensley, columnists; Fitz Holladay, Philip McFee, Letycia C. Nunez-Argote, Steven Oklesh and Evann Strathern, cartoonists. Features: Shannan Bowen, Stephanie Jordan and Kirsten Valle, senior writers; Laura Bost, Kathy Cho, Julia Furlong, Ali Gray, Natalie Hammel, Elana Jones, Allison Rose, Sarah Schwarz, Jerri Simmons, Antonio Velarde and Jenna Wooten. Online: Ed Bowman, Jessica Carroll and Nikki Roberson. Photography: Kate Blackman, Brian Cassella, Garrett Hall and Justin Smith, senior photographers; Dan Blum, Gillian Bolsover, Nicholas Clarke, Leah Gronning, Daniel Ham, Miranda Harple, Rachael Hyde, Pat Lapadula, Julia Lebetkin, Paige Lucas, Brandon Maynard, Alexandra Montealegre, Perry Myrick, Ricky Leung, Sara Lewkowicz, Carter Murphy, Brady The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which com prises the editor, editorial page editor, the associate editorial page editor and seven editorial writers. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calen dar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should call 962-1163 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 962-0245. OFFICE: Suite 2409 Carolina Union CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CB# 5210, Carolina Union U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 Still, the possible benefits of an alternative are too great to ignore. Simply put, state employees who work within the UNC system deserve a greater amount of variety in their health insurance coverage. So does every person who works for the state -but at this point, it makes sense to experiment with just a cross-section of the whole workforce. Implementing such change in so many people’s health coverage undoubtedly will cost a pretty penny, and it’s unclear what the source of any extra funding might be. But if anew plan turns out to be success ful, it would mean tens of thousands of people being happier with their coverage. It would mean about 36,000 people not having to worry so much about the weight of their wallets in supporting their families’ welfare. It’s a worthy cause, which is why the task force should continue to forge onward in researching alternatives. And if whatever the task force comes up with is feasible enough, UNC-system and state officials should push it through. to the town’s efforts to reduce emissions. The new research center will need a diverse work force once it has been completed. Limiting the num ber of parking spaces would limit the accessibility of the satellite campus. And improving public transportation as part of the emissions reduction effort won’t be an adequate solu tion to loss of parking at Carolina North. Employees and students commuting to the satellite campus from outside the Chapel Hill area wouldn’t benefit from public transportation within the town. A car com mute, and parking spaces, still would be necessary. It’s no secret that town officials have been wary of the Carolina North parking situation. Their concerns are understandable, but they shouldn’t set a goal that would force them to eliminate valuable spaces. As it stands, the University faces a lack of park ing spaces —a problem that affects faculty, staff and students alike. If parking at the satellite campus also becomes scant, that problem would be exacerbated. The town should work to improve and protect the environment, but it should do so without throwing yet another roadblock in front of Carolina North. Such a regressive tax should not be made per manent. It is a measure to be used when necessary not something that state officials should adopt simply because they cannot keep their hands out of the cookie jar. Raising such a huge amount of money to correct budget shortfalls in this manner is irresponsible of the state. One might question whether the govern ment has lost sight of its duty to North Carolinians in its frantic rush to win at the numbers game. The state obviously has to find money somewhere, but the sales tax was increased specifically as an emergency stop-gap measure. Officials must find alternative sources of revenue if there is nothing in the proposed budget that can be cut. Some state lawmakers might not have been re elected had this come up during the election year instead of conveniently afterward. Easley should be ashamed of breaking a promise to North Carolinians. If nothing else, officials must start learning to keep their word to constituents. Parker, Kelsey Scott, Rebecca Stocked and Adam Westin, account executives Advertising Production: Penny Persons, manager, Michelle Rial, assistant. Classified Production: Cindy Huntley, manager; Debbie Rosen, assistant. Nash, Mike Raabe and Ashlie White. Sports: Dan Blank, Ben Couch, Gabrielle Deßosa, Jacob Karabell, Brian MacPherson and Dan Schwind, senior writers-, Meaghan Cole, Matt Estreich, Casey Ferrell, Derek Howies, Will Isley, Alicia Jones, Al Killeffer, Gaby Remington and John Zhang. State & National: Laura Youngs, senior writer; India Autry, Matt Bowles, Bonnie Burke, James Edward Dillard, Alexandra Dodson, Elizabeth Dougherty, Amy Eagleburqer, Erin France, Alex Granados, Hilary Hellens, Whitney Isenhower, Halley Kueffer, Derrick Lankford, Michelle Mendonca, Stephen Moore, Joe Ngan, Seth Peavey, Kristin Pratt, Aaron Pruitt, Mark Puente, Ashley Simmons, Carolyn Sorock, Carly Triche and Victoria Wilson. University: Brian Hudson, senior writers; Heather Andrews, Kathryn Bales, Elizabeth Black, Kelli Borbet, Rachel Brock, Dan Campbell, Stacey Carless, Georgia Cherry, Katie Cline, Hilary Delbridge, Katherine Evans, Shari Feld, Katie Hoffmann, Caroline Kornegay, Stephanie Newton, Stephanie Novak, Marta Ostrowski, John Ramsey, Catherine Robbs, Alex Robinson, Kristie Spellman, Greg Steen, Jacki Spies, Daniel Wilkes and Erin Zureick. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager. Printing: Triangle Web. Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services. EDITORIAL STAFF ISN #10709436 Q Opinion OM THE DAY’S NEWS “Not on one strand are all life's jewels strung’’ WILLIAM MORRIS, English craftsman and writer EDITORIAL CARTOON By Steven Oklesh, elven@email.unc.edu Tap* #l-. Bush almost admt^j I *i #h eludes fraiiy \ / Shockinq 'C eonversa'lions frimd for skia * 1 J' secretly kped in tit kk 90's reveaJ tiovahh (Tope #3: Bush admit < r, r .. n J , to being a ChristiJ / sho v f*' Bu h Bayj ~~—\ |°' weorge W. Oush (ijsSf/ 1 Aiiffee ——tlZZl Zlj — —- — _ ~~~N / / f° r low, low price of-' LZ*• •• LZ 'rA• I Mo hi Tht COMMENTARY Fixing relations with Europe will be a tall order for Bush President Bush left Washington, D.C., this past weekend for a tour through Europe. He was supposed to tout the importance of European unity and of improved relations between the United States and the European Union. But in his first speech in Brussels on Monday, Bush devot ed only a few lines to European unity. He dismissed the opportu nity to increase goodwill between the trans-Atlantic powers in order to advance his policy stance on Russia, Iran and Syria. Many Europeans likely will be disappointed that the president would neglect such an opportu nity, and they likely will question the earnestness of Bush’s limited pro-European Union rhetoric. If Bush is serious about advancing liberty across the globe, he must act strategically to ensure that the U.S.-European alliance that he refers to as “the main pil lar of our security” is maintained and enriched. And this will take more than a few sentences. Europe has granted the presi dent its audience, and Bush must take this opportunity to mend rifts that have stemmed from the war in Iraq. This is no small task, because Europeans harbor much ill will toward the president. One thousand protesters greeted Bush’s arrival in Belgium, and even larger protests are expected for later this week. Both Bush and European leaders hope that this is indeed a bridge-building trip for him. European leaders have been instructed to stay away from contentious issues. But although they are pushing for reconcilia tion, Europeans themselves have grown more displeased with U.S. action. In March 2004, the Pew Research Center for People and READERS*FORUM Those seeking positions within the CAA should turn in applications by March 2 TO THE EDITOR: Applications for the 2005-06 Carolina Athletic Association Cabinet now are available outside the CAA office in Union 3508-C. Positions available include Sports Marketing chair, Homecoming chair, Ticket Distribution vice chair and Fever chair, among others. Completed applications should be returned to the CAA office no later than 5 p.m. March 2. Please contact CAA President elect Justin Johnson with any questions or con cerns. Justin Johnson President-elect Carolina Athletic Association Alpha iota Omega's standpoint has a strong foundation in constitutional law TO THE EDITOR: The board editorial entitled “Stand Your Ground” opens a Pandora’s box paving the way for govern ment-regulated speech. If the University is allowed to require Alpha lota Omega to admit any male, regardless of creed, UNC is effectively condition ing AlO’s access to state funds and facilities on the fraternity members’ relinquishing their freedom of speech and right to exercise their religion freely. Further, AlO’s “strong” equal protection rights are violated. By exercising their free speech, they are forfeiting resources given to other groups who are exercising their First Amendment rights in a manner agreeable to the administration. The protection of the law is being unevenly applied. Do not get me wrong: I am in favor of student funds being used to fund student groups of all ideol ogies exercising their freedom of speech and religion under the auspices of UNC student organizations. I firmly believe that a truly open forum of ideas car- AMON ANDERSON PARA SER CUITO, ES SER LIBRE the Press, a nonpartisan orga nization, released poll results showing that approval ratings of the United States in Europe were declining, while support for an independent European foreign policy was growing. Despite the historic relation ship between economic and polit ical cooperation, many Europeans feel that the United States has neglected this collaborative relationship. Many believe that Europe should move to challenge U.S. influence. According to the Pew polls, Europeans think that Bush bed in selling the case for war in Iraq and that the conflict is undermining the war on terrorism. In Afghanistan, the United States shunned European help, citing that it would slow things down. The United States has rejected the Kyoto accord, the International Criminal Court and other treaties despite heavy European support. Militarily, the United States has begun to rely on a “Who’s with me?” attitude, rather than on an investment in the institutions and instruments that exist to deal with major conflicts. The European Union has responded with a desire to chal lenge pervasive U.S. influence across the globe. Asa result, leaders have sought to establish a united foreign policy and a rapid reaction force, reforms that the majority of Europeans support. Despite these measures, European leaders recognize the ries the day. If a cornerstone of that speech or reli gion is requiring commensurate beliefs for member ship, so be it. The only equal protection argument the University could legitimately tout would occur if funds were arbitrarily administered to favor one group over another. Or is that what the University is attempting here, simply because AIO has the temer ity to stand on its constitutional rights? Joshua Diver Professional School of Law Despite editorial's implication, the ASG has been effective on the state level TO THE EDITOR: In the editorial, “Frivolous Expenses,” your paper implies that the UNC-system Association of Student Governments has been ineffective with respect to lobbying activities in North Carolina. The Daily Tar Heel’s Editorial Board must not know that the UNC-system Board of Governors passed a tuition freeze for the next academic year, which Gov. Mike Easley supports. Who does the paper believe deserves credit for the freeze? Despite the DTH’s criticism, students and families from across the state are thanking the ASG for its passage. Andrew Payne Former president Association of Student Governments TO SUBMIT A LETTER: the Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments. Letters to the editor should be no lon ger than 300 words and must be typed, double-spaced, dated and signed by no more than two people. Students should include their year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and phone number. The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgarity. Publication is not guaranteed. Bring letters to the DTH office at Suite 2409, Carolina Union, mail them to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or e-mail them to editdesk@unc.edu. (Iljp Saily ®ar MM benefits of strong U.S. relations. In introducing Bush in Brussels, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt referred to U.S. action in the former Yugoslavia, when E.U. forces were unable to intervene. The United States also recog nizes the importance of Europe, as we borrow hundreds of bil lions of dollars a year from the European Union and abroad. Though the two powers have very different problem-solving preferences, both Europe and the United States need a healthy, reciprocal relationship. President Bush’s trip to Europe is a step in the right direction, but many Europeans are wary of his sincerity. He must convince them of a willingness to rebuild the rela tionships damaged through foreign policy differences. For Europeans actually to buy what Bush is sell ing, he’s going to have to demon strate that the United States is willing to sit down at the table and treat its allies as true partners. “The credibility of the United States is sinking,” former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Osama bin Laden has been able to do something that 40 years of communism was unable to do, which is to divide Europe from the United States.” Our nation has lost a great deal of moral legitimacy during the past few years, and this decline has been substantial in Europe. In order for the United States to regain that legitimacy and to progress as part of an international community, we must invest in international demo cratic institutions showing the world that when President Bush talks about liberty, his money is where his mouth is. Contact Amon Anderson at amona@email.unc.edu. Established 1893 111 years of editorialfreedom Hatty ®ar 3M www.dtlioiiline.com MICHELLE JARBOE EDITOR, 962-4086 OFFICE HOURS: 1 P.M. - 2 P.M. TUESDAY, THURSDAY CHRIS COLETTA MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 NIKKI WERKING DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 ELLIOTT DUBE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, 962-0750 EMILY STEEL UNIVERSITY EDITOR, 962-0372 RYAN C. TUCK CITY EDITOR, 962-4209 EMMA BURGIN STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR, 962-4103 DANIEL MALLOY SPORTS EDITOR, 962-4710 KELLY OCHS FEATURES EDITOR, 962-4214 BECCA MOORE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, 962-4214 KATIE SCHWING COPY EDITOR, 962-4103 LAURA MORTON PHOTO EDITOR, 962-0750 RANDI DEMAGISTRIS DESIGN EDITOR, 962-0750 NICOLE NEUMAN DESIGN EDITOR, 962-0750 MARY JANE KATZ GRAPHICS EDITOR, 962-0750 FEILDING CAGE ONLINE EDITOR, 962-0750
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