Anderson Visits Law School, Announces Economic Reforms

John B. Anderson, 1980 independent President called for a new economic plan to replace current fiscal policies in a speech last night at the Law School forum.

"I don't think it's being overly dramatic to speak of a new economic order." Anderson told a crowd of 200. He added. "I think the time has come for a new party to be based on the premise of a national economic plan."

Anderson said he has not made up his mind whether to run for President in 1984, but he did not rule out the possibility. "I'm trying to build a new party," he explained, adding, "If that new party wanted me as its nominee, then I would run."

Anderson, during his 60-minute remarks, a stressed the need for restructuring the budget process. In place of an annual budget, he said. Congress should make a biannual statement that would. "In a more rational fashion, put down some of the specifics of what our resources are and what our goals are."

Once a leading Republican congressman, Anderson last night accused both the Republicans and Democrats of "ad hoc-ery in economic planning. Our two old parties are in a condition of party decomposition," he said because they are addicted to anachronism the economic policies.

Both of the old parties are in the grip of the psychosis that increasing arms are the answer to security," he added. And in the domestic sphere, he said, even the Democrats aid programs are "about like sending a get well card to someone who is terminally ill."

In contrast, Anderson said. "I don't believe in an interventionist foreign policy, but I do believe in an interventionist domestic policy."

Clting the Japanese precedent, Anderson called for "venture capital banks" to fund developing companies, "public enterprise corporations" to hire the chronically unemployed, and massive training programs to educate the 72 million Americans who, he said, are functionally illiterate and unprepared for the changing job market.

In addition, he said, voter apathy is a result of political action committees, which make individual votes seem unimportant. "Until we have fundamentally reformed the electoral process with public financing accompanied by limits on expenditures. I don't think we're going to win back the millions who have voluntarily disenfranchised themselves," he commented.

For all these reforms, Anderson said. "It would take a new party to provide the basic and central thrust."

The speech was sponsored by the Law School Forum a student group which brings notable to speak at the Law School. Refer ring to the Forum's next guest, Anderson quipped. "I'm a little awed find that I'm in the select company of men like Phil Donahue."