I am compelled to voice my opinion regarding the bid for a takeover and 75-year lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike by the Spanish-based Abertis Infraestructuras in Barcelona ("Spanish Group Bids $12.8 Billion for Turnpike Lease," May 20). Gov. Ed Rendell calls it a good deal. I call it a joke and a disgrace for those living in Pennsylvania.

Wake up, people of Pennsylvania! Soon every other country will be running your state, increasing your tolls and collecting your hard-earned dollars. Soon you'll be paying more to travel your own state roads. Who's looking out for your best interest? If you think about this too long, you will want to join the young people and just move out of this state. Just another reason for the rest of us to relocate to a more progressive state.

HELEN DeFRANCO
Churchill

A 75-year lease on the turnpike is a reverse mortgage. We are spending our children and grandchildren's inheritance. They will not be able to control their own roads: maintain them if necessary, police them as desired, set their own tolls or hire their own work force.

The bidders foresee a profit. If it's profitable for them, why shouldn't we profit instead? Raise the tolls if necessary to provide a desired profit margin. Seek more qualified management free from political influence and cut administrative overhead.

It is bad enough that our leaders and businessmen have sold our industry abroad for short-term profits. The result of the global sellout has been a poorer middle class and someday a population divided into very rich and very poor.

If we sell or lease our turnpike, which is part of our infrastructure, we will eventually own and control nothing.

GEORGE KUSIC
Squirrel Hill

Call me crazy, but when I think of government services, I think of necessary things in life that are too large or otherwise impractical for the free market to provide. Like, say, roads and bridges.

When I think of the free market, I think of things that are not needed in life but are certainly wanted, and things that can be improved through competition, such as selection, price and service. Like, say, liquor distribution.

So, will someone tell me why our governor and state legislators are trying to sell our roads and not our liquor stores? What's next? Our judicial system?

Time to vote them out this November.

MARK ERICKSON
Mt. Lebanon