The nation's finances are more worrisome than terrorism

Your April 7 "Bonds Basher" editorial answered some of the questions that arose from President Bush's remarks about worthless IOUs ("A Social Visit," April 6). But the importance of the subject indicates that it shouldn't have been buried at the bottom of the page or on an inside page. This subject should have been placed above the fold on the front page with big headlines and maybe a huge picture of Bush leaning over the cabinet full of bonds.

The consequences of the government's economic failures are potentially more threatening to the American way of life than are the terrorism fears with which the government is continually trying to distract us. Americans need to be repeatedly and glaringly reminded of the fact that we are a massive debtor nation and that our Asian and European creditors can control us.

With respect to the Social Security situation one wonders, if in the future a lot of the money is put into privately controlled accounts, then where will the government get the money it spends on other things, which it is now borrowing from the public Social Security accounts and replacing with "worthless" paper? There is only one believable solution to public debt -- taxes in one form or another.

A. STRAUB
Murrysville

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A better budget

On March 17, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed budget resolutions that set the wrong priorities for America's law enforcement and children. They would cut funding both for cops on the street and for Head Start, child care, aid to schools and after-school programs -- all critical investments proven to help kids get the right start so they become responsible adults instead of criminals.

For example, one study showed that excluding at-risk kids from a good pre-kindergarten program multiplied by five times the risk that they would grow up to be chronic lawbreakers by age 27.

Sen. Arlen Specter worked hard to improve the budget on the Senate floor, staving off cuts in Head Start and other education programs until 2007. He also helped win a crucial amendment to preserve Medicaid health care for low-income children and families.

Now leaders in Congress are negotiating a "compromise" between the Senate budget and a worse House budget. Sen. Specter is under intense pressure to accept even greater cutbacks in critical programs than already called for by the Senate budget.

The 175 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime victims who make up the anti-crime organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Pennsylvania are grateful for Sen. Specter's courage in supporting these investments. If he stands his ground to oppose any final budget that doesn't fully include the key improvements he won on the Senate floor, Pennsylvania law enforcement leaders and crime victims will stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

GEORGE W. POLNAR
Chief of Police
Monroeville Police Department
Monroeville

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Essential support

By making a trip to Florida to pray with the parents of Terri Schiavo, who was close to death in a long-term care facility ("Santorum Prays With Schiavo's Family," March 30), Sen. Rick Santorum sought to show his concern for protecting the lives of vulnerable sick and disabled. It is ironic that just the week before, he voted to cut $14 billion from Medicaid.

Funded jointly by state and federal governments, Medicaid is a lifeline to disabled Pennsylvanians, 390,300 of whom rely on it for assistance with daily living and health services. It is also the only medical help that 206,000 elderly and 786,000 low-income children have. It is the primary source of funding for two-thirds of Pennsylvania citizens who are nursing home residents. It provided some of Terri Schiavo's care.

The cuts he voted for, which did not pass but are still in consideration in working toward a budget resolution ("Senate Strips Bush Cuts in Medicaid," March 18), would mean $2.2 billion lost to Pennsylvania over the next 10 years and further exacerbate the health-care crisis by cutting thousands from coverage.

Yes, we have a huge federal deficit, but cutting off our most sick and vulnerable is not the answer. I hope he has a change of heart.

BARBARA MUROCK
Squirrel Hill

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Anti-life measures

"We should investigate every avenue before we take the life of a living human being, and that's the very least we can do for her." -- Rep. Tom DeLay, House majority leader, referring to Terri Schiavo.

I see a disconnect here. In mid-March he pushed through a draconian five-year House budget resolution. It puts at risk the lives of low-income families, children, people with disabilities and seniors. In all, programs assisting people in need are slashed $30 billion to $35 billion: $5.3 billion for food stamps would be cut as well as $14.8 billion for programs including the earned income tax credit, Supplemental Security Income, foster care and adoption support, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, child care and child support programs and the Social Services Block Grant. It would put huge holes in an already frayed safety net. Pennsylvania stands to lose $1.4 billion to $1.75 billion. Many who benefit are low-income working families. Despite soaring costs for health care, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program face cuts of $14.9 billion. Pennsylvania's share is $752 million to $1 billion.

At the same time, the House passed an additional $106 billion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, including $22.8 billion on income from capital gains and dividends. Ordinary citizens pay the hidden cost of higher fees and dwindling public services.

Cynical politicians and a media addicted to the sensational have successfully diverted our attention, permitting Congress to get away with murder. How can "pro-life" politicians be so willing to risk people's lives? Because they can get away with it.

MOLLY RUSH
Dormont
Editor's note: The writer is on the steering committee of Pennsylvanians United for Single-Payer Healthcare.

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Paperwork overload

Thank you for writing about nonprofit organizations ("The Fraying Safety Net," March 27-29). I have worked in the field for 22 years. I am currently working in a position that requires so much paperwork to meet regulations that I am spending more time doing this paperwork with the clients than doing therapy with them.

It is statistical information-gathering-type paperwork that is often redundant and creates an uncomfortable relationship with clients who are in crisis and need intervention as soon as possible. I wonder who reads the paperwork, but the government requires it so that we can get funded.

What is most sad about this is that as funds continue to dwindle for services, these precious funds are being used to complete regulation paperwork rather than provide treatment services. Thanks for shedding some light on the needs of nonprofits.

CARMELLA PUCCI
White Oak

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Superb work

I want to commend and thank you for the excellent, faithful coverage of the life and death of Pope John Paul II. It was wonderful. It was extraordinarily inspirational.

The articles by the PG's Ann Rodgers moved me to joyful tears and encouraged my faith. Her work has been superb. May the good Lord in heaven bless you tremendously for this coverage.

DAVID SIMS
Midway

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Let's clean up the city and make littering unacceptable

Just when did it happen that we became so complacent about litter in our city? As a child growing up on the South Side I remember being taught by all the adults in my life that littering was never acceptable under any circumstance. After all, this was your home, and people took pride in where they lived.

Forty years later, still a South Side resident, a South Side business owner and president of our chamber of commerce, I find I have the same mind-set as op-ed contributor Boris Weinstein ("I Am Picking Up Litter," April 2 First Person) in regard to how we combat this ever-escalating problem: "Ditch the idle talk. Join me and clean up, bit by bit."

Each of us has a vested interest in our city, our neighborhoods, our business districts. Showcasing a city that is clean, litter-free and graffiti-free makes for the best advertisement to attract new residents, businesses, visitors and conventioneers. This is why the South Side Chamber of Commerce has worked to organize our local and state officials, our local neighborhood organizations, hospitals, police and fire departments, businesses, residents and elementary schools to participate in our first annual Trash Bash cleanup effort along East Carson Street on May 21. While this will be a one-day effort, the goal is to begin to create the mind-set that as neighbors united together in this common cause, we can accomplish ongoing strategies to control litter and graffiti in our neighborhood.

Volunteering to invest in our neighborhoods on a daily basis, I believe, is the key to success. Please, come join us, and call the chamber if you have questions.

BRUCE A. KRAUS
President
South Side Chamber of Commerce
South Side