DEMOCRATIC CHIEF PARTICIPATES IN POLICY COUNCIL

Cape Girardeau County Democratic Chairman Rick Althaus recently participated in the first western regional public policy conference of the Democratic Leadership Council in Denver.

Althaus, a political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University, was one of approximately 300 delegates and public officials who met to discuss political issues and to determine the direction of the Democratic Party on issues.

The Democratic Leadership Council was formed during the 1980s by moderate Democrats who wanted to bring the party back to the mainstream of American politics. Among those involved in the formation of the council were U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt of St. Louis, U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, and then-governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas.

The three-day conference featured governors from four western states. They led discussions on issues ranging from telecommunications policy, welfare reform, and the charter schools movement. Also present was Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, former governor of Arizona.

Althaus said he was pleased to be part of the conference because it allowed him to meet and share concerns with other Democratic leaders.

"It is encouraging to see the party combining a progressive orientation with back-to-the-basics values," said Althaus. "In fact, it's where Southeast Missouri Democrats have been for a long time."

Althaus said DLC President Al From described the so-called New Democrats by saying: "We believe in progressive ideas and reinforcing common values. We don't believe in bureaucratic government, but instead we seek out alternative means to do the public's business."

Althaus said Colorado Gov. Roy Romer suggested that Democrats needed to look for ways to do things differently. He stressed the need to maintain a standard of common sense in the nation's regulation and taxation policies.

"We can create moral conditions which will permit a sense of community to develop among people," Romer told the gathering. "In this way, we can make progress on issues that concern us all, such as education, crime, and world competitiveness."

Althaus has been chairman of the county Democratic central committee since August 1992.