Republicans Need To Examine Their Morality And Values Letter Of The Week: From February 6

Republicans are worried about declining morality. Where is the morality in denying food to children, shelter to the homeless or medical care to veterans, children and pregnant women?

What kind of a country do we want to have? One that spends billions on prisons but considers job training and youth programs “pork”? One that subsidizes weapons sales worldwide but cannot see the value of charging $1 per citizen per year on public broadcasting programs? One that pays wealthy farmers not to farm but cuts funds for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act?

We hear a lot about welfare reform. Now there is talk of abolishing the Department of Education. Are this nation’s children the only national resource not worthy of consideration?

Is it only coincidental that the much-discussed cuts in preschool and school breakfast and lunch programs, and cuts for teenage welfare mothers, all affect citizens who cannot vote? It is easy to cut welfare payments. Are we willing to invest that money in job training and education to break the cycle of poverty/despair/ignorance?

I, too, voted for change in 1992. Never did I imagine that change to be sacrifice of food, shelter, medical care and education for our youngest and most helpless citizens.

If you are concerned about the future of our country, write to your congressmen and to President Clinton. Voice your opinion or 20 percent of the citizenry will make decisions for all. Barbara Cross Coeur d’Alene

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