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PAGE 18 - PLAINDEALER-fRIDAY, MAY 23, 1975 EDITORIALS News And Power Students of the subject have long realized the danger in the near- monopoly of three television networks in certain news situations. Being commercial organizations, and their news operations centered in the same city and unofficially coordinated, execs of the news departments of these three corporations determine what news most Americans get in many major situations, and how it will be played, or slanted. A good example is a presidential report to the nation. First, the execs decide whether it will be televised to the people. (After a few obvious outrages contrary to the public interest in recent years, the execs currently operate more carefully, and usually give the President television time--though they still have the power to deny even a President television time to report to the voters.) If the President is given time to report to the nation, news execs can even then schedule a panel of "experts" of their own choosing to demolish the President's argumentsMf they choose, and negate his message. These commentators are much more clever at semantics than most Presidents. And if they, minutes after the President has spoken, say that he didn't really mean what he said about this, that he was obviously wrong about that, and, of course, has no chance to get what he asks for here, etc., they color public opinion as much as the President, perhaps more, for they have the last word--the classic rebuttal of debate. What can be done about this danger? One proposal is that commentators wait at least an hour before rebutting a presidential speech. But this can be accomplished only by network policy, and there may be better approaches to the problem. What is clear, and what is a danger in our society, is that a small group of network news execs exert more control over public opinion than any elected leader or outlet in the nation. Since the primary motivation of the networks is profit, not the public interest, and since the three near-monopoly networks are not responsible either to the elected government or to the people by an elective process, public opinion is, in effect, largely being controlled by commercial organizations (dominating their news organizations) and employes (commentators), whose political sentiments can easily be determined, and rewarded or penalized by the execs. That would not be a danger if there were more competition in the field but there is little--pubUc-^tervice television and educational stations.lt is a danger because these coiporation execs can mold public opinion (and often politicans) to their liking; their enormous power is greater than a President's--which recent Presidents have acknowledged. The traditional power of the press is no such danger because there are hundreds of major dailies and thousands of weeklies. But the instant nature*# television and its domination by three commercial networks create this danger. Social Security "The tax reduction act of 1975 contained a provision for a $50 payment to most Social Security recipients," according to William M. Biscomb, branch manager of the Social Security office in Woodstock. "The Treasury department is issuing these checks now," he said, "and people in McHenry county may have received them. Biscomb stated, "These payments will be made to beneficiaries who were entitled to benefits for March of 1975. However, the application on which they get payment must have been filed before April 1, 1975." Because a person did not get a check for March right away does not mean he will not get the $50 payment. Checks issued as late as Aug. 31, 1975, but having a payment for March will also entitle a person to the special payment. "Just because a recipient doesn't get a special check immediately doesn't mean they won't get one," Biscomb stated. "The checks will be issued on a staggered basis from now through June 20,1975, and may be received at any time." "The checks will not contain any special designation to identify it except the notation P L. 92-12, on the right side of the check." Biscomb added. "A person who feels he is entitled to the special payment but does not get it by June 20, should contact our office after that date." Biscomb said. "We expect the number of people who don't get the checks who are entitled to them to be very small," he added. "Extensive preparations have been made to assure that all those entitled to get their $50 checks as soon as possible." WfZLD The world is a pot, and man is a spoon in it. JACKSON ASPHALT PAVING Driveways jjjL Parking Blacktop Repair Work Sealing r CALL ANYTIME WOODSTOCK - 338-4739 1 GALLON FREE WITH PURCHASE OF 4 GALLONS OF ANY COLOR.OktftOW, LIMITED TIME ONLY! louimpicl STRIA :*»*oooomM'I NOTE: Specially marked $4 off Redwood Stain cans not included in this FREE offer. m STflin SALE DATES MAY 17 to 26Hi oriy! Take Admtqe Of This One Shot Deal! M mm irxs vne onor CMENRY LUMBER OPEN 4030 W. MAIN ST. McHENRY SATURDAY Ph. 385-4600 ANOTHIR ENDING-tk VJORl-D TL & W u?" '"V <".* •" .MEMORIAL DAY A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Weekly Market Review Probably the best single description of investor personality in 1975 is extreme skepticism . Since this history setting Bull market got under way in January, every slight pullback in stock prices caused the same questions to be almost universally asked: "Has the market had it": "Is our phony rally over"; "Should we dump everything fast"? This skepticism is understandable and healthy for those who have overcome it. After six years of the severest stock market crash since the 1930s, it is easy to understand why investors (who after all are only human) have been skeptical about anything good such as rising stock prices, and this skepticism keeps our advance orderly and keeps excesses to a minimum. Going by the general response to the market's decline last Thursday and Friday, the majority of investors have not recovered from the mental surgery performed on them by the Bear market. We do feel that this pullback differs from others experienced this year. Even before the Dow Industrials weakened, many important stocks were looking tired and upside attempts lacked punch. This reduced enthusiasm on the upside was also apparent on the downside as buyers obviously were less anxious to jump in after slight price concessions. In our opinion, this market action suggests that we could be in for further selling pressure and lower prices. Until market momentum improves, traders are advised to withhold new buying. However, we continue to believe the major trend of the stock market is up, that further selling will simply create better buying opportunities, and that the major thing we have to fear is that somewhere along the line fear will leave most investors. When fear and skepticism are reduced to a minimum, stocks will become substantially overbought and the risk-reward ratio of owning stocks will shift sharply to the risk side. We do not believe we are close to being there now. Political Comer Dems Pass Resolution On Registration At the May meeting of the McHenry County Democratic Central committee, precinct committeemen unanimously passed a resolution opposing Illinois Senate Bill 18. The proposed bill would require voters to register their party affiliation five months before a primary election in order to vote in that election. In its resolution the Democratic party noted that, with the passage of this bill, voters would have to register with the party of their choice two months before the filing deadline for candidates. Voters would not know what can­ didates would be running in the primary for which they were registering. The Democrats reaffirmed their support for the present law which permits voters to vote in the party primary of their choice without declaring party affiliation ahead of time. ers Ask lUh This column of questions and answers on federal tax matters is provided by the local office of the U. S. Internal Revenue Service and is published as a public service to taxpayers. The column answers questions most frequently asked by taxpayers. Q. What is the reason for my indicating the county where I live on my tax return? A. Under a law known as Revenue Sharing, a portion of the tax money collected by the Federal Government is re­ turned to the states and cities. The amount of money your locality receives is based on information you supply on your Federal income tax re­ turn. So it's important for you to fill in the County Residence block „on the front DOIT Closed Monday May 26 for Memorial Day. TILL 4 of your return. To complete this block, print or type the full name of the county (par­ ish in Louisiana; organized borough in Alaska) in which you live. The instructions for both 1040 and 1040A forms explain how to fill in the block if you don't live in a county, parish or borough. Q. What is the rate for ex­ emptions for myself and my family this year? The personal exemption for 1974 is $750. If you file a joint return, you may . also claim a $750 exemption for your spouse. Exemptions of the same amount for age and blindness are available for both of you if you qualify. Furthermore, you are entitled to an exemption of $750 for each person who qualified in 1974 as your dependent. For more information on exemp­ tions and dependents, consult IRS Publication 501, "Your Exemptions and Exemptions for Dependents." It's available free at all IRS offices. Q. My 1973 tax return was more complicated than usual to fill out, so I decided to use a return preparer. Can I de­ duct the charges that I paid in 1974 for preparation of my 1973 return? A. Yes. The cost of tax counsel and assistance is a deductible expense, and is re­ ported on Schedule A of Form 1040 as a miscellaneous ex­ pense. Q. I'm a member of the Armed Forces, and am trans­ ferring to a new assignment in the Orient. I have received an allowance for the transfer. Is this money taxable? A. It depends on the reason WITH STeaMex® RENTAL CARPET CLEANER Get professional results for far less than professional costs Hourly Daily Weekend Rates prii DRIVE-IN Utm CLEANERS McHenry's Finest Fabric Care Specialists 3004 W. Route 120 McHenry, III. 385-2231 Save $40" on Key-Î ectric start Ton) Grassmaster Whatever you need a mower to do, the Grass- master can do it --bags, mulches or disperses grass It 's really three mowers in one. Only Toro has it. And. it 's powered l>v the revolutionary High- Torque "engine which de­ livers maximum cutting power u ith minimum noise. \\V have a limited sup ply of three-in-one mow­ ers at this savings t Take a look now before they're gone 12 cu. in. High-TorqueT engine run* quietly Hiar1>like near! Three- bags, mulches disperses gras Quick-Change bag empties in second# S Wind-Tunnel* housing vacuums grass for manicured look Haven't you clone without a Ton) long enough? George P. Fieund, Inc 4102 West Crystal Lake Road McHenry Phone: 815/385-0420 ('oiilpariMii, *tl pr<<mt>tji<M.i] .mil ri tfiil.ir ,r.tvn, ni.u Hit .1111 tr<r. SI||!UI '.ti'd rrt.iil 1 'rit' oil M Ivr 2W>00 Fair truth- I> t Offer good only while pafticipatini: dealer'* inventories of promotional model, last. Public Pulse (TIm PlalndMlar invites tht public to uw this column a* an expression of their views on subiocts of general interest in our community. Our only request is that the writers five - signature, full address and phone number. We ask too, that one individual not write on the same sub|ect more than once each month. We reserve the right to delete any material which we consider libelous or in objectionable taste.) »PROTECTING PEOPLE? "Dear Editor: "Have you noticed all the uproar in the papers and TV about the need to protect people from the misuse of hand guns, which causes relatively few deaths, while very little notice is given to the thousands of deaths every day from abortion - now some 900,000 per year! "The abortion mills are going full blast just killing our future Americans while the population c o n t r o l b u r e a u c r a t s propagandize about the hazardous hand guns. "If accidents are considered, deaths from firearms are way down on the list if we can believe the National Safety Council of Chicago which publishes "Accident Facts" annually. In 1972 accidental deaths from firearms ranked seventh after deaths caused by Motor Vehicles, Falls, Drowning, Fires-Burns, Poisons (solid liquid and gas), and Suffocation. Accidents happen and I'm sorry about that, but we just can't expect 'Big Brother' to 'protect' us every minute. "I certainly am not con­ doning the criminal use of firearms and anyone who is convicted of a crime while using a firearm should be punished severely - not slapped on the wrist and allowed to be back on the streets in a matter of hours. Because the courts are coddling criminals is no reason to betray the American citizens who have a Con­ stitutional right to keep and bear arms. One of the reasons our forefathers put this into the Bill of Rights was so that the citizenry could protect itself against a tyrannical govern­ ment. If you look back into history you will see that the more powerful a government becomes, the more tyrannical it becomes, too. Who will deny that our federal government is becoming much too powerful to remain a Republic? "Government exists to protect life and property. A nation whose government permits abortion, and through various tax-supported means, actually encourages the murder of innocent, live, un­ born infants, has abdicated its fundamental responsibility and had earned the condemnation of both history and God him­ self. Abortion, which kills thousands of babies every day, is a national disgrace. "Mrs. Dorothy Himplemann" ON BURNING "Editor: "Beautiful days on the Fox river-sunny, warm, a breeze from the south, yet we are unable to be in our front yard or open our windows and doors because our neighbors were burning wood and leaves all weekend. And the ashes are still smoking today (Monday) and the wind is stronger. "My husband and I have been here nearly one year and we have been repeatedly upset by the burning done by people in our subdivision and the next one south. Nearly every nice Spring and late Fall day was ruined by someone filling our subdivision with smoke. When it rains, soot is washed off the leaves onto cars. And I consider myself lucky if my laundry dries before someone lights a fire. "It is not legal for an in­ dividual to burn anything in many cities and towns; yet here, where people live because of its greater outdoor beauty, the air is constantly polluted by those same people. Why aren't they protecting their habitat and realizing its value? Their own health and happiness is affected as well as ours. "Beth Holland Clauser "Fair Oaks" The recent Eagle Walk sponsored by the schools in District 15 was very successful. A very high percentage of ^pledges have been turned in, and it is now possible to make a complete financial report to the community which supported the endeavor. A total of $1,091 has been turned in to the Illinois Audubon society. The Illinois Nature Conservancy will decide how the money will be distributed. Every cent will be used to provide refuges for the Bald Eagle, the national symbol. for the allowance. If it is a dislocation allowance paid upon transfer from one post of duty to another it is taxable. But if it is a housing and cost- of-living allowance or a fam­ ily separation allowance, it is excludable from your gross in­ come. SENIOR CITIZEN'S CORNER* HELPFUL IDEAS FOR SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT OFFSETTING INCOME LOSS Data collected from over 11,000 men and women, aged 58-63, as a part of the Social Security Ad­ ministration's 10 year longitudinal Retirement History Study, un­ covered some interesting facts relative to retirement living. An investigation of what type and amount of assets older people have to offset their likely income loss upon retirement revealed: --Married men are more likely than nonmarried persons to own assets, and among assets owners. the value of assets is higher for married men than for others. --Home ownership is an especially important form of in­ vestment. --Half of all reporting non- married's had a total net worth of less than $4,500; half of those married reported a net worth of $16,000 or more. --The four most prevalent in­ come sources for the aged are retirement benefits, income from assets, earnings, and public assistance--measured by the per­ cent receiving them, and resulting in that order. HV Let us help you get to know your new community as quickly as possible. Our hostess will call on you and present you with gifts, greetings and useful informa­ tion. Call Maiy Ann Bellak 385-5705 Maruerite Kaiser 385-2710 insight v* by Larry K - $1,091 Collected In Schools' Eagle Walk Following is the list of par­ ticipating schools and the amount collected • by each: Parkland Junior high, $124.61; McHenry Junior high, $137.50; Edgebrook, $124.40; Hilltop, $226.10 and Valley View, $465.39. Thirteen dollars of the total amount was turned in by Miss Lisa Opfer, a 4-H girl who braved the pouring rain to conduct her own walk when the Eagle Walk planned by her club was canceled because of the weather April 27. The Ecology committee who planned and carried out the project expressed appreciation to those who helped to make it so successful. They were Dick Anderson, Parkland; A1 Jovanovic, McHenry Junior high; Sherry Vogt, Edgebrook; Candi North, Hilltop and Alice Clark, Chairman, Valley View. TRUTH AND SINCERITY Dear Mr. Swaim, Isn't the only important thing in reli-** gion that a person be sincere? There are so many differences of opinion and different prac­ tices, and this seems to me to be good. Sincerity is an admirable trait; especially in our day of sham and pretense, it's re- & freshing to find a deeply sin­ cere person. In the business world,, an employee who is conscientious is a real delight to work with. In the school­ room or on the football field, a sincere effort to do one's part and one's best is appreci­ ated by everyone. However, it would be naive of me to say that sincerity alone is enough in any effort. It certainly isn't enough in medicine, science or in technology, and neither is it enough in religion be­ cause it is possible to be sincerely wrong. I wouldn't want a doctor operating on me unless he were sincere, but I also would want him to be sincerely right, to make sure he had the information, education and experience to either prescribe or operate as he ought to. Astronauts wouldn't want to go to the moon unless they knew those people manning the controls knew exactly what they were doing, and were not only sincere, but were sincerely right. Truth is as important as sincerity. To be right is vital and essential. To be right and not be sincere is of little value, just as being sincere and wrong is of little value. Jesus taught that sincerity is no substitute for truth. He said, "Not everyone that saith to me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." A FEW MONTHS TO LIVE Mr. Swaim, it was recently diagnosed that I have incur­ able cancer. The doctors give me only a few months to live. I am a Christian and I hope to be able to display Christian attitudes during the remain­ ing months. You are a person of tre­ mendous courage and in the next few months you will have a marvelous opportun­ ity. I am confident that you will be able to take full ad­ vantage of this opportunity. Everyone alive inevitably faces death. Only the Chris­ tian knows how to live and how to die. For those who are Chris­ tians, death is the opening of a new door to a better way of life. No human ear has ever heard nor human eye ever seen the glories that God has prepared for those who are faithful to Him. Because you have this hope in your heart, you will be able to, in the next few months, influence all of those around jou to live lives so that Heaven can be their eternal home too. My suggestion for you would be to read your Bible more carefully than ever be­ fore, use the time you have left to prepare effectively for the future which God has assured those who are Chris­ tians, and assist all with whom you come in contact to understand that death is not the end but can be a glorious beginning. My sin­ cere prayer is that God will bless you and give you great courage and strength in your remaining months. For a confidential and Bib­ lical answer to- your ques­ tions, write Larry Swaim, 985 Ponce De Leon Avenue, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306. a I I I lUlu a - -J?li I I I lUlu No place affords a more striking conviction of tne vanity of human hopes than a public library. "Why sure! JERRY'S sells and services any kind of auto tire." JERRY'S "66* AUTO REPAIR 471.TIT Rt 120 Bajs 344-1278 Towing after Upm 385-0258