The Reporter from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin • 7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1992 OPINION A7 THE REPORTER QUESTION OF THE DAY Should highly-paid federal employees take a pay cut? -i I YOUR VIEWS "Yes, they should. They're being paid too much." AJ Kamphuis Store owner, Sheboygan I "I think they should because all the time they're trying to balance the budget and yet they're voting themselves pay increases." Josie Towne Retired, Waupun A. -N Flood protection i still a priority Streets filled with water are an all too-familiar reminder of floods past in Fond du Lac. So far, it has been streets, not basements, and city officials are right to ask residents to keep catch basins clean so storm waters can drain into OUR VIEW storm sewers. But every time it rains heavily for an extended period of time, as it did Tuesday and Wednesday, old fears resurface.

And more rain is forecast. The city has spent a great deal of money since the last flood brought about the biggest mass basement cleanup ever experienced in Fond du Lac. But every time it rains heavily, residents wonder: Is it enough? There's a tendency in drier weather to be less concerned about flooding. That's bad policy. The city is flood prone.

A long history of floods teaches us that. It should also teach the city that it cannot afford ever to put continued flood protection work on the back'burner. Gable reform bill should be signed Despite protests from the cable television industry that reform proposals will add to user costs, we'll go along with the consumer groups who maintain passage will result in savings. The two sides of the issue have taken opposite positions. The National Cable Television Association has mounted a TV and newspaper advertising campaign contending the bill would push cable prices higher.

Consumer groups, broadcasters and cable's competitors dispute these claims and are lobbying hard for the bill, asserting it would curb or in some cases roll back cable rates. It's telling that both houses of Congress and both sides of the aisle have been strongly in favor of the reforms. Both of Wisconsin's U.S. senators and all nine of the state's representatives voted for these bills. President Bush is threatening a veto if the House and Senate pass a compromise version as expected sometime this week.

He should reconsider. Cable rates have been increasing at triple the inflation rate and complaints about poor service are spiraling as well. The reform is needed. Trouble for Japanese cars The vaunted Japanese auto industry is in trouble. Its share of the American market has fallen to 24 percent in the first half of 1992 from 25.4 percent for the same period in 1991.

Sales in Japan are also down; they are expected to come in at 12.6 million this OTHER VIEWS year, almost 2 million below the peak year of 1990. While economic slowdowns in both Japan and America are the primary reason, the Japanese auto industry has run into more fundamental problems, just when America's big three automakers are beginning to close the gap with the Japanese on price and quality. America's most stunning economic retreat in automobiles may be coming to an end. Price is part of the reason. So is slow but steady improvement in the quality of U.S.

cars. Detroit may finally get the breathing room it needs After a decade of retreat, the U.S. auto industry may be beginning to regain its footing and its market share after all. St. Louis Post-Dispatch while to get to the bar.

Many people stopped to comment on the mill and how nice everything was set up and on the park and how beautiful everything was. Somewhere around 9 o'clock, I sat down at the one vacant table in the tent and looked around. The band was packing and the crowd was starting to thin. I could see the tired looks on the rest of the committee members' faces, but I knew they were as happy as I was. We all had put such great effort into the day, but it was a task well worth doing.

I feel I want to call or write to each and every person who in some way helped to make this all possible. From the tavern owners who brought a cold beer or soda to the workers, to the volunteers who worked so awfully hard that day and before, to the many people who have donated the much-needed funds and to the ladies who came out just to pull the weeds in the flower gardens. Nothing would have been possible without the mammoth outpouring of community spirit. Heartfelt thanks to everyone. Our day was a success because of you.

Diane Kleinke Dundee National prayer appeal A pre-election national Rosaries for Life campaign has been announced by Mothers of Mary, a national Marian prayer organization. Mothers of Mary is sending out an urgent nationwide appeal to all to unite in a pre-election national living rosary, asking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for a complete victory for life on Nov. 4, election day. Mothers of Mary asks that a rosary for life be prayed each day from now until Oct. 31, in honor of Mary, patroness of the United States under her title of Immaculate Conception.

Scriptural rosary (my favorite) tapes and books are available from Charismatic Renewal Services, 237 N. Michigan South Bend, Ind. 46601. Those wishing to join in the national Rosaries for Life campaign may send their names to Mothers of Mary, 1250 Grayton Road, Grosse Point, Mich. 48230.

Kathleen Sontmers Custer Identify attackers In recent months you have printed a series of letters attacking me, as well as some from individuals in the community seeking to defend me. There have been no letters attacking Peggy Lauten-schlager and that's fine with me. The latest attack on me came from Shirley Ries, who was otherwise unidentified. Your readers should be informed that Ms. Ries is the chairwoman of the Fond du Lac County Democratic Party.

It is obvious that her letter was produced by the Lautenschlager campaign. If these guerilla attacks on me are to continue, the attackers ought to identify themselves so the public knows who's really behind the negative campaigning. Tom Petri Washington, D.C. Dundee fundraiser testimony to spirit Sunday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m., Dundee Mill Park.

Everyone on the Mill Park Committee was hurrying to get all the last minute details finished for the dedication. That last hour seemed to fly by, taking with it the edge off the nervousness everyone felt. It was a thrill to see the many people, young and old, enjoying the good food and music. The Empire Threshing Crew put on quite a show. The Nichols mini-bus was a godsend with all the transportation needed to and from parking.

The dedication ceremony went off without a hitch except for a few frantic minutes when the scissors couldn't be found. The presentation of the plaques went real well. As the afternoon wore on, everyone seemed to find something to do. Our clothing stand always had people admiring the quality and variety of sizes and colors. If the children weren't lined up to play the many games, they were getting their faces painted by Karen Hartman and learning about the Indians and their tradition.

As dusk started to settle in, you could still see people walking back and forth to the dam. The crowd in the tent was getting so large that it took a ihL "Yes. We're over the budget now." Robert Van Gorder Retired, Taycheedah "Yes. The budget needs cutting in important areas because of their wages." Donna Woldt Homemaker, City I THE REPORTER Doonesbury THE USUAL ffSL SHUEMOIHEFS UHOUXXK. HOMOSEXUALS WUKNOUI.

MMBEITS 600PIPEA! TDTHE SUBURBS! us. APtACEUHEftE OF THEM! HECMPRAC- 1KZOUR.WWS ANPOJIST! Letters welcome Letters should not be more than 300 words and must be signed. Write to: The Reporter, P.O. Box 630, Fond du Lac, Wl 54935-0630 ll I Publisher Louie A. Lange Jr.

Managing Editor Elliot Tompkin Associate Editor Harley Buchholz News Editor Richard Roesgen City Editor Michael Mentzer Need help writing? Call 922-4600. extension 240, and we'll give you a hand. 11 11 1 i i 1 the presidency 13 keys: Clinton needs 6 GOP lost Congressional seats in1990 2 No serious challenge to Bush within the GOP. 3 There is no major 3rd Party challenge BY DIEGO TUTWEILLER IDON7KNOW. IJUSTMISH HE'P6TMY NOSZR16HT! to win Bush, Fjiir VWcxta MO IS THIS GUY? I HHO TEACH.

PeOPLGWHO cause, Ross Perot dropped his independent bid, DeCell gives the nod to Bush. Wrong, says Lichtman. Regardless of the technical definition, an economy that quacks like a recession ought to be counted as one, he says. And the Perot phenomenon, he argues, is a major barometer of discontent. That's two more keys against Bush, for a total of six.

Advantage Clinton. Neither author appears overly confident in his prediction. "It's obviously a close and difficult call," says Lichtman. Bush could still lose, DeCell says, if two of the following happen before Election Day: an economic plunge, widespread riots, a foreign policy disaster, or Bill Clinton coming down with a case of charisma. If none of those happen and Clinton still wins, DeCell says, the authors will have to "refine the thresholds" in the system.

In other words, back to the drawing board. Bill Sternberg writes for Thomson News Service. "I would have to say yes. If we are talking higher-up government employees, but no if you're talking middle income federal employees. Their income should be left alone." John Purcell Marine Recruiter, City A The economy is perceived to be In a recession during election year.

5 Economic growth In Bush's term was less than in two previous terms 6 Bush has not made major changes in national policies Keys to By Bill Sternberg WASHINGTON Now here's a sobering thought for pollsters, pundits and other players in this year's presidential election: Campaigns don't matter. The debates, commercials, bus tours and speeches between now and Election Day count for virtually nothing. At least that's the conclusion of Ken DeCell and Allan J. Lichtman, co-authors of a book called "The 13 Keys to the Presidency." DeCell, a senior editor at Washingtonian magazine, and Lichtman, a history professor at American University, argue that a presidential campaign isn't the horse race it's generally made out to be. Instead, the election is essentially a referendum on the incumbent administration's record.

The 13 "keys," developed in 1981 by Lichtman and Soviet mathematician Volodia Keilis-Borok, are stated as conditions that favor the re-election of the incumbent party. When six or more of the keys are false, the challenging party wins. The keys include such factors as party mandate in Congress, economic conditions, social unrest, scandals, foreign policy successes or failures, and the candidates' charisma or lack thereof. The authors say their system identifies the winner of the popular vote in every presidential election since 1860. So what do the keys portend for this year's presidential election? Er, well, there seems to be a difference of opinion between the authors about that.

DeCell and Lichtman agree on 11 of the 13 keys, four of which turn against George Bush. But they part company on two others: whether the short-term economy is in recession and whether there is a significant third-party campaign. DeCell takes a "strict constructionist" view: Because the economy has technically been growing, albeit slowly, for the past five quarters, and be 7 There has not been sustained social unrest Bush has not been hurt by scandal. 0 There were no big Bush failures in foreign affairs. 1 fl wer9 k'9 Bush successes I in foreign affairs.

Bush Is not charismatic. iV v. 2 Canton is not charismatic. 3 incumbent Power goes to SOUPCE: KnM-BOier. Prov A4an Ucfnman.

"Yes. Those guys in Washington get paid too much." Al Horst Retired, City.