In Haste To Save Money, Don’t Kill The Family

Dear Rep. Nethercutt: You may recognize the name Gary Deccio, for he served with you on the board of directors of the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. I am his widow and mother of his three young sons.

I am speaking for individuals and families such as my own, who have been placed into situations beyond our control, for there was nothing that I could do to stop Gary’s death, at age 35, no matter how much I prayed.

While I am not financially sound, I am better off than many people. My boys were 1, 3 and 5 at the time of their father’s death. We had insurance because Gary had a good career with benefits. But because my children were having significant emotional and behavioral difficulties stemming from their father’s death, I quit my nursing position in January 1994. I hoped to pull the family back together after such a traumatic event. It has paid off. We are, however, living on Social Security Death Benefits, which made me really have to budget and prioritize my spending.

My fear of Mr. Gingrich’s ideals is a real fear, for he appears to have a total disregard for the welfare of children and for those who are less fortunate than himself. I fear he will attempt to abolish Social Security Death Benefits. That would be our family’s demise. I believe in a balanced budget, but most assuredly not at the expense of the elderly, the young or the poor.

Also, to eliminate other programs, such as Head Start, would be an incredible leap backwards. To state that children born to young single mothers should be placed in an orphanage is another affront. I was born and raised in a community that had a large orphanage. I went to school with these children and they all had emotional and behavioral problems. An orphanage is not the answer to the dilemma of unwed mothers, nor is it the answer to child abuse.

Please do not attempt to punish those who are less fortunate than yourself. Please do think of those who have been helped by the Crisis Nursery. Please remember that our children are our future and give them every opportunity. Please remember my children, who are without a very wonderful father through no fault of his and no fault of his children. Please remember the teachings of Jesus Christ and follow His way.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion page. To submit a column for consideration, call Rebecca Nappi/459-5496, or Doug Floyd/459-5466.