LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS April 29,1982
LAWMAKERS
Shot of GRAMM making campaign appearance at a VFW hall (?) or other local forum. GRAMM says that his constituents don't want him to go to Washington and take orders from the LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP, and he never will, gets applause, shakes hands. Shot of a voter, says he doesn't care if GRAMM remains DEMOCRAT. More voters repeat the sentiment; they're for GRAMM regardless of his party affiliation.
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Shot of GRAMM exiting a restaurant. WERTHEIMER v.o.-GRAMM will have most success in wealthier "suburban" parts of the district; GRAMM thinks these voters still believe in REAGANOMICS. Shots of GRAMM driving his Chevy station wagon. WERTHEIMER in passenger seat questions GRAMM about his policies. GRAMM says that he's stepped on some toes by cutting people's "pet programs", but on the whole, people understand the need to balance the budget and that everyone must make some sacrifices.
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WERTHEIMER-TEXAS is a CONSERVATIVE place, but the RECESSION might change people's opinions. COKIE ROBERTS-intro report on RECESSION in OHIO-YOUNGSTOWN has twenty percent unemployment. The local MODERATE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN, LYLE WILLIAMS is not doing too badly in the polls, and is now edging away from REAGAN'S proposals. DISCUSSION of CONSERVATIVE "BOLL WEEVIL" DEMOCRATS, tendency of some CONSERVATIVE voters to think that REAGANOMICS just needs a little more time.
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ROBERTS-report on CONSUMER ISSUES in CONGRESS, efforts by REAGAN administration to reduce scope of FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.
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Shot of ROCKY MOUNTAINS outside DENVER. Shot of DOWNTOWN DENVER skyline. Shot of door of FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION office. ROBERTS v.o.-FTC responsible for investigating LAND FRAUD in the booming DENVER REAL ESTATE market. Shot of receptionist in FTC office answering phone, shot of worker filling in info on a ledger. Discussion of the FTC'S winnings in settlement for cheated land buyers. Shot of FTC lawyer, says that having a regional office of officials who are familiar with the local market is much better than having a Washington office. Shots of interior of FTC office.
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Shot of FTC administrator in office. Shot of exterior of FTC headquarters in WASHINGTON. Shot of lone DEMOCRAT on FTC board, Michael PERTSCHUK, says that the goal in closing the regional offices is to cut down regulation of business-the regional offices are doing their job too well and too efficiently for the Administration's taste. Shot of FTC chair JAMES MILLER, in congressional hearing. MILLER responds to attacks on the FTC. Shot of Rep. BENJAMIN ROSENTHAL (D-NY), butting heads with MILLER. ROSENTHAL demanding an explanation of why the FTC thinks closing the regional offices would increase EFFICIENCY. MILLER gives a statement that documentation of the argument exists somewhere, probably. ROSENTHAL isn't buying it, says that he's embarrassed by the conduct of the FTC.
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ROSENTHAL in committee, presenting different budget scenarios, trying to pin MILLER and the FTC to a position on cutting local offices. An FTC official is evasive. Shot of FTC chair MILLER in office, says that the issue is not funding, but "restructuring" the network of regional offices, says that cutting offices will result in better consumer protection.
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ROBERTS-many legislators don't buy MILLER'S argument about cutbacks. DUKE-intro report on SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE hearings on ARMS CONTROL, intent to pressure REAGAN to hold ARMS TALKS with SOVIET UNION.
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Shot of DUKE standing in SENATE COMMITTEE chamber with Sen. CHARLES PERCY (R-IL). PERCY says that the hearings are so important because of the destructive potential of NUCLEAR WEAPONS in the hands of heads of state who have never met face to face. Says that the U.S. has had "three false alarms" at NORAD, one of which was witnessed by PERCY, and the risk is too great. DUKE asks if REAGAN understands the FEAR that most AMERICANS have of NUCLEAR WEAPONS and NUCLEAR WAR. PERCY says REAGAN is aware, but he won't be "stampeded" into doing anything about ARMS CONTROL. DUKE asks if BREZHNEV has a similar understanding. PERCY says that the SOVIETS do understand, and have not engaged in worldwide PROLIFERATION of NUCLEAR ARMS. Discussion of freeze, capping, reduction options in ARMS RACE. PERCY says the time is right to move forward aggressively.
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WERTHEIMER-intro commentary. Commentary by Charles McDOWELL on the BUDGET debate. McDOWELL says that the explanation of "just politics" for the BUDGET STALEMATE doesn't wash. A budget is always all about politics, and the real world consequences of policies.
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DUKE-signs off. CLOSING credits/transcript order information/sponsor credits/WETA credit/PBS ID.