One week after the election of Vice President George Bush to the presidency, three NIU administrators expressed their concerns that the nearly $3 trillion national deficit will not decrease under the leadership of the president-elect.

Leonard Strickman, dean of the College of Law, said, “Bush has a problem because he has taken a very strong stance on no new taxes.” Bush needs to increase revenue from the country’s economic growth, Strickman said. “Without new revenue and without increased taxes, the deficit will increase,” he said.

He added that if Bush’s adherence to defense budget increases continues, he did not know how the deficit could decrease.

However, Kenneth Reeves, head of the military science department, said Bush has not defined his budget yet. He said it is not clear yet where money will be spent.

Dollars still can be spent on defense programs such as “Star Wars” (Strategic Defense Initiative) or a variety of social programs, Reeves said. “I’ve heard a lot of campaign rhetoric—who knows what it means,” he said.

Marion Miller, honors program director, said, “I’m very concerned about the deficit (but) I don’t know if it will increase or decrease.”

Bush claimed in his campaign that he would not increase taxes but increasing taxes is one way to decrease the deficit, Miller said.

Miller said he also is concerned about Bush’s support for education and social programs. He said he is “skeptical” toward Bush’s support but is “willing to be suprised.”

An issue where Bush has not yet proved capable, according to these administrators, is Bush’s campaign to combat drug use across the nation.

Miller said, “It (the “War on Drugs” campaign) has not been effective.” He said the program was established because of popular concern for the issue such as research on AIDS. “It’s hard to tell how much substance will be put into it later on.”

Reeves said he has not seen anything “tangible” so far in connection with ridding the United States of drug abuse.

Strickman agreed that the “War on Drugs” campaign has not stopped drug users up to now. He said new measures have not been displayed on Bush’s part to continue with upgrading the program.