Ann Richards shows off the Cornell sweatshirt given to her by President Rawlings following her Olin Lecture in Bailey Hall Friday. Robert Barker/University Photography
Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards urged a Bailey Hall audience of Cornell Reunion attendees to reaffirm their faith in democracy and be optimistic about America's future and not to become part of the rabble that sees government as part of the enemy.
On campus June 6 to deliver the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Lecture, Richards enchanted the audience of about 1,200 with her wry wit and hallmark Texas twang. With the timing of a seasoned comedian, Richards kept the audience laughing with generous doses of humor throughout her 90-minute presentation.
Richards, who became the first woman elected to state office in Texas in 50 years when she won a race for state treasurer, was elected governor in 1990, two years after she delivered a rousing keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. But she lost a re-election bid to current Gov. George W. Bush. She is now a senior adviser with a Washington, D.C., law firm.
Richards likened America's current woes to those that plagued the country at the turn of the century, 100 years ago: poor, unskilled workers, crime and drug abuse, anti-immigrant sentiment and American political parties hopelessly out of touch with ordinary Americans. But, she noted, government initiatives at that time addressed the problems at hand and ushered America into a new era.
She criticized Congress and its inability to address the country's important issues. "We're in the midst of a transition that is an absolute minefield, and the reaction of the political system is as irrational as overheated bull elks in mating season," Richards said. "Government's actions are still predicated on some previous era. Its notion of America is an idealized version of 'Leave It to Beaver.' Remember June Cleaver tripping around in her pearls and high heels cleaning the bathroom? Remember how simple it was in that small town community? Nothing happens really tough, except that Wally Cleaver might get a bad grade now and then and there would be upheaval in the family on what to do about it. There weren't any drugs, crime or abused children in the Cleaver household."
Congress, she said, has been more interested in dividing the country over affirmative action or arguing about how to reduce health care for seniors and debating arts funding than in addressing how to train people to fill jobs and keep their families together.
Richards decried tax cuts simply for the sake of lowering taxes and people's inability to acknowledge the benefits of government. She fears, she said, the symbolism of a balanced budget has become far more important than actually delivering needed services.
"You can go to Montana and drive 100 miles an hour in your Lexus and on the way you can call a friend from your cellular phone and while your voice bounces off a satellite orbiting in space, you can complain about the government spending that made that satellite possible and then you can talk about how technology and big money and foreign competition is destroying America. But you would be wrong," she said.
Richards also cited statistics that show Cornell is a major beneficiary of federal funding, especially in the areas of science and engineering research. "I would suggest that most of you think this is money well invested, well invested in our future and well invested in our children," she said to applause.
But even a standing ovation and an adoring audience could not charm Richards enough to think about getting back into politics.
"I have no desire to go back to public service," she said in response to a question about her political plans. "It's sort of like serving in the army -- you get your discharge papers and you don't have to do it anymore."