Not lusting after sex toys

I was very disappointed that The Daily would publish an article such as "The sex toy stigma" (by Lara Bain, March 30). I was thoroughly disgusted to see the paper would print something that was essentially a manual about vibrators and masturbation. Not only was I offended, but it struck me as greatly untactful and not a good representation of the University or its student body.

There are so many different topics that could be reported on other than how many types of vibrators are available or the way to get into the "mood" for masturbation. Each year there is a sex edition of the paper. That is where an article like this belonged so that people like me, who prefer not to encounter such "journalism," can avoid it.

For many, The Daily is a quick way to get the general rundown on local news each day and grab information about what is going on around campus. The paper should have fun and lively articles without having to print things like that. Please use the better judgment that I have seen in the past when making decisions on appropriateness of the articles provided in The Daily.

- -- Heather Watts

Junior, sociology

Gregoire's budget admirable

I'd like to take this opportunity to set the record straight and correct several factual errors in Erika Monges' column ("Broken promises burden economy," March 30).

The governor proposed to fully fund the Life Sciences Discovery Fund - that would include the stem-cell research institute - at $35 million each year for the next decade, which with federal and private funds would bring the total to over $1 billion over the next decade. I'm not sure how one can honestly claim that it doesn't exist in this budget. The initial set-up funding is provided and the remainder will come from the bonus money from the tobacco settlement.

Furthermore, the governor did avoid a general tax increase in this budget. There is no sales tax increase that would hurt the working poor. No business and occupation tax increase that would hurt small businesses.

There are only two taxes that are relied upon to balance the sheet -- a partial reinstatement of the estate tax that was in place until thrown out by the state Supreme Court in February. In other words, it's a tax that already existed, and it's not even as far-reaching as it was two months ago.

The second tax is a tax on cigarettes. As someone who has smoked on and off for the better part of my adult life, I've got no problems paying an extra 20 cents per pack. Especially when I know that it goes to fund smaller classrooms, teacher pay increases, and -- oh yeah, more enrollment slots at UW.

There is no such thing as an easy budget cut. Our state is one of the best in terms of having virtually no government waste, and when balancing a budget, it often comes down to decisions like cutting higher education funding or removing children from the Basic Health Plan - both tactics, I might add, that were used by former State Senator Dino Rossi to balance the state budget just two years ago. That's the kind of tough decisions that budget writers face.

As for higher education, Gov. Gregoire's budget was much better than anyone expected. In addition to $54 million for thousands of new enrollment slots, she proposed a huge increase in financial aid (nearly $30 million). The tuition increase was limited to 5 percent -- lower than any increase in the past decade -- and all of our tuition money would go to the institutions to increase the quality of our education, instead of just back-filling a higher education budget cut like the Senate budget does.

Let's give credit where credit is due -- the governor's budget did an admirable job of providing for our state and moving us forward despite a gigantic budget deficit.

-- Jamie Corning

UW student lobbyist

Senior, political science

There's no such thing as a free lunch

Can I tell you how tired I am of listening to so-called conservatives like Erika Monges whine about taxes? Perhaps an analogy would help Monges better understand the issue.

Think of Washington State as a big country club and taxes are the membership dues. If nobody pays their dues there's no money for caddies or groundskeepers or water or grass seed and the place falls apart. Or -- as our Republican president and Republican-controlled Congress are fond of doing -- the management of the country club can let all their friends play for free and simply borrow the money, irresponsibly leaving paying the bills to "someone else" at some later time. As the saying goes, "there's no such thing as a free lunch."

If you and your ilk find taxes such an onerous burden, I say fine, don't pay them. Just don't let me catch you using any public roads or utilities, calling the police or fire department if you need them, using any public parks or attending any sporting events at Key Arena, Safeco Field or Qwest Field (all paid for in part with tax dollars). Oh, and while you're at it, perhaps you should transfer to Seattle Pacific Universtiy or Seattle University. Don't forget, the school you're currently attending is supported by, that's right, taxes.

-- John Lalonde

UWPD

Good UW Jobs in South Lake Union?

In "UW biotech research space to triple with South Lake Union expansion," (by Erin Hicks, March 29) Mayor Greg Nickels and Tye Minckler, director of facilities development and management at the UW School of Medicine claim thousands of good jobs will be created as a result of the UW's research and laboratory expansion in South Lake Union. These claims are not as transparent as they seem. While the School of Medicine attracts and pays research scientists top-dollar, other workers are not benefiting from the area's development.

Janitors in off-campus UW-leased buildings work hard to keep laboratories for the School of Medicine clean. But unlike their on-campus counterparts, these janitors are not paid directly by the UW, are not represented by a union, and do not receive the same benefits. Because the UW leases these buildings, it believes it has no responsibility for the health, wages and well being of the employees hired to work within them. This is a huge irony -- as School of Medicine researchers advance healthcare technology, these workers can't even afford to have access to basic healthcare. These facts paint the UW's prestigious first-ranked primary healthcare education school in a bad light.

The Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) has been pressing the School of Medicine to address this dilemma. I am sure the school would express concerns over the quality of their buildings, but why are they not doing the same over the working conditions of janitors?

This matter should not be swept under the rug. If it is not resolved, I am afraid it will exceed beyond the scope of janitors. The UW may find it necessary to cut the wages and healthcare of its other employees. The UW may also find it more efficient (and profitable) to find alternatives to direct hiring. Is this a threat to on-campus employees? How do we stop this policy from spreading?

We need to demand the UW take responsibility for workers in all of its buildings, whether owned or leased. Until then, the School of Medicine cannot claim that they are creating good jobs in South Lake Union when their janitors do not receive health care or adequate pay.

-- Akson Mounlamai

Student Labor Action Project

Senior, geography