8/EDITORIAL "Si Checks and balances pose Capitol problem If I bounce a check I'm subjected to monetary penalties from the person I wrote the check to, as well as my own bank. They don't like it when you write a check to someone, implying you have that amount available to you at the institution whose name is on the check, if you do not. The rules seem simple: don't write checks if you don't have the money to cover the amount, and ALWAYS cover your butt. So what's going on in Washington? Have the rules that apply to Joe and Jane Taxpayer been thrown out the window when it comes to our state representatives--who make more money in one year than I could ever hope to make in five? U.S. Representative Goodling, allegedly one of the 24 worst offenders of the check scandal involving the House bank, said he will run for re-election. Why? A recent poll in the Patriot News showed most voters who voted for him in 1990 will not do so in the upcoming election. Personally, I'd rather vote for Mickey Mouse, he'd probably balance his checkbook better than Goodling. But we can't just blame our lawmakers, or so they say. Fingers have been pointed at the House bank, charging tardy bookkeeping and mismanagement of the establishment. W hoever’s fault it was doesn't matter anymore, the damage has been done. The worst part is, I haven't heard one thing about improving the Bank system or penalizing the offenders. I have heard adds for the Republican party, playing up the situation at the Democratically run House bank. A "Na, na, na, na, na, na-we're better than you are" attitude has entered the political arena via the advertising medium. The Republicans new advertising campaign capitalizes on the situation by blaming the Democrats for the bank's problems. The Democrats countered with the popular "right hook," running a newspaper ad calling the Republicans hypocrites because three Bush Cabinet members have admitted to writing bad checks while they were in Congress. Is it just me, or is anyone else annoyed that the simple rules and policies we accept and abide by are tossed aside for government officials WE elected? Does anyone else get the feeling that the homeless problem, unemployment or any other national crisis, could be alleviated by eliminating wasteful living in Washington? How about the House Post Office? Where three former employees repeatedly used money from the post office till to EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS ! Letters to the editor are always welcomed and encouraged. Submit your letter in Room W-341 or place it in our mailbox in Room 212. Typed submissions are preferred. Please include your name...we cannot print anonymous letters. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. pay bills, make loans to House employees, cash checks for others and even purchase drugs—WlTH the knowledge of some of their SUPERIORS. The "superiors" would simply make sure the missing amount appeared back in the till before any scheduled inspection or audit. I don't know that I would vote for Democrat Jerry Brown if he makes it to the presidential election. I do know I agree with some of his theories: there's too much waste in Washington. Something needs to be done before the wealthy elitists are permitted to break every law they worked so hard to establish in this country. I know I'll be voting in November, how about you? [ Capital Times ) Editor-in-Chief... Karen M. Putt Assistant Editor ... Elin Marcel Sports Editor... Michael Givler Copy Editor... Jeff Leader Photography Editor... Mike Starkey Staff Artist... Trev Stair Advertising Manager... Lee Bitier Adviser... Dr. Peter Parisi Staff: Lee Ashton, Sharon Barris, Lawrence Bates, Anne Feeney-McGovern, Celia Fox, Matt Hunt, Lisa Malask, Trinh Ngo, Jason Sandhaus, Stacey Simmers, Michael Stone, Angela West, Terry Wolf, and Hilary Zeiders Capital Times is published by students of Penn State Harrisburg. Concerns regarding the con tent of any issue should be directed to the editor in room W-341 of the Olmsted Building or by call ing 944-4970. Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not representative of the college administration, faculty or student body. Capital Times welcomes signed letters from readers. No unsigned submissions will be printed; however, a writer's name may be withheld upon request. ICciren Tt. Putt “Editor-in-chief
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers