Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 April 1995 — Page 2

Page 2 Thursday, April 6,1995 Muncie Times

* EDITORIAL -

Term limits are a wrong-headed idea that should be defeated

The hot air being spewed about term limits tends to obfuscate what these socalled reformers in the U.S. Congress are trying to do. They are trying to amend the Constitution in a way that would emasculate democracy. It is for that reason that we applaud the recent defeat of the misguided term limits movement. In their profound wisdom, the Founding Fathers did not include term limits. There was a reason for that. The Founding Fathers wanted voters to have the power and the opportunity to decide how long congressional members should serve. That’s the way it should be. The most effective term limitation tool is the electorate’s right to decide whether somebody

should be returned to Capitol Hill or sent packing. Whatever the reason behind last November’s Democratic debacle, when control of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives was handed over to the Republicans, this was ample evidence that voters can turn their wrath on their representatives and remove them from office. That is the most effective term limit movement, not some quirky law or amendment that would deny voters the right to decide whom they want to represent them. Changing the Constitution is not something that should be entered into lightly. Tampering with the voters’ right to elect or defeat representatives is something that is not warranted at

this time. When voters decide that someone has overstayed his or her welcome in office, the voters will remove that person from power. It is that simple. As long as that power is available, the term limit movement is nothing more than overkill. It is not necessary. It is an expensive waste of taxpayer money. Those in Congress who believe in term limits are certainly free to exercise their privileged to retire after

six or 12 years in office. No one is forcing them to stay. But they have no right to impose their will on others. Public opinion should not be used to legislate or impose term limits. That right belongs to no one but the voters and constituents in each state or congressional district. If we feel our particular representative or senator is doing a fantastic job, then it should be our right to retain the services of that person. We do not need those in

Congress to dictate to us when our representative should retire. As voters, that should be our privilege. We are quite capable of exercising it, thank you. We do not need legislation or a constitutional amendment to tell us whom to vote for or against. We continue to believe that the term limit movement, regardless of rationales used by its supporters, is nothing more than a misguided fad. It should never be passed. ❖

Welcome back to outside world, ‘Iron Mike’

Letters to The Editor The Muncie Times accepts and publishes “Letters to the Editor” under the following conditions: The letter must include the writer’s name, address and phone number where the writer can be reached during the day. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. If the writer wants the letter to be published under a pseudonym, that wisn will be honored. However, the writer’s full particulars must still be included in the letter, along with the suggested pseudonym. Letters must be brief, preferably no more than 300 words long and should, if possible, be typed and double-spaced. Hand-written letters will also be accepted. The editor reserved the right to edit all letters for brevity, accuracy, taste, grammar and libel. All correspondence should be addressed to: THE EDITOR, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned UNLESS the writer includes a pre-addressed envelope and the correct postage.

Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor ....John T. Lambkun Contributors Deborah Banks, Farrell Downey Jr., Dr. W.J. Duncan, Bea Moten-Foster, Bernice Powell Jackson, Dr. T.S. Kumbula, John Lambkun, Judy Mays Advertising Bea Moten-Foster, Monty Brooks Typesetting and Production Jama Bigger Pasteup/Layout Christi Harrison The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New CasUe, Richmond and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Bmadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (317) 741-0037, Fax (317) 741-0037.

After about 3 years as an unwilling guest of the Indiana Department of Corrections, former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is back home in Ohio. He will soon celebrate his 29th birthday and this time he will do it as a free man. Tyson was convicted of raping former beauty pageant participant Desiree Washington. She claims she was raped. Jurors believed her, although some have since expressed doubts about whether she was, indeed, raped. Tyson has consistently denied raping Washington. Whether we will ever find out the truth remains to be seen. There are some people who believe that Tyson

was railroaded by the Hoosier judicial system. We are certainly glad to see Tyson emerge from behind bars. He seems to be a more mature and more determined person. He read a lot and thought a lot while behind bars. That should help him as he prepares to resume his interrupted boxing career. Boxing can certainly use someone with Tyson’s boxing skills. There are many pretenders to the boxing throne, but few real outstanding champions or potential champions. Tyson’s imminent return should help clarify the muddled world heavyweight champion derby. Right now there are too many world heavyweight boxing titles and boxing

champions. We are confident that the new Mike Tyson will be able to get his life back together and will soon be back in the ring doing what he does best—knocking down opponents. The reading and studying that he did in prison should help, Aim readjust into society, where he can play a positive and more mature role. That is what he told The Muncie Times during an exclusive 1993 prison interview. As we welcome him back into mainstream society, we look forward to seeing a more controlled and more focused man re-enter the boxing ring. ❖

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