I am an educated, dedicated local resident dependent on public transportation. In response to the upcoming budget deadline, and the seemingly inevitable shutdown of the Port Authority of Allegheny County, I am actively putting together a citizen's action group (Citizens Dependent on Public Transportation) to fight for the transportation needs of those dependent on public transportation in our city.

We will not let County Executive Dan Onorato single-handedly shut down the transportation system of this "most livable" city. His options in this matter are far more extensive than he has expressed, and it is morally, socially, economically and personally unacceptable for him to attempt to strong-arm the Port Authority in his quest to further shift the balance of this wonderful city to private interest, at the expense of public good -- a balance shift, I might add, largely responsible for the economic woes of our fine city and nation, as manifested in the socioeconomic dysfunction of both in these complex, turbulent times.

Mr. Onorato could and "should" expect the businesses of this city to pay their part in the process -- the businesses that enjoy the extensive benefits of public transportation. However, like all the so-called leaders in our nation in the last 15 years, he will, undoubtedly, continue to cower and pander to those in economic power, while continuing to kick the least threatening object he can find (in this case, the restaurant owners of Pittsburgh) to protect and enhance his own class.

I love my city, and I am the kind of young professional Mr. Onorato seeks to keep in Pittsburgh. With that said, I will not live in any city that does not have public transportation.

JON HALLSTEIN
McKees Rocks

Financial literacy

With the pervasive news coverage of America's financial turmoil, our children may have questions about what is going on in our economy. Many adults have a difficult time understanding -- much less explaining in an age-appropriate way to a child -- what is going on in our government and in our financial markets.

America can, and must, do a better job of educating our kids about effective money management, not only so they can avoid the financial pitfalls into which so many adults have fallen, but because our kids will someday run our businesses, our government and our financial institutions.

How can young people get the financial knowledge that they so desperately need? Fortunately, there are organizations that are answering the call to educate the next generation of consumers about how to effectively manage their money.

Junior Achievement is one such organization, working closely with the business and education communities to deliver programs that teach K-12 students age-appropriate, hands-on lessons about how to be financially literate. After participating in Junior Achievement programs, students see the important connections between education, career, salary and desired lifestyle. I encourage businesses to support organizations such as Junior Achievement, which reaches more than 4 million K-12 students in the United States annually.

It is critical for our young people to learn effective money management so that they can become responsible contributors to our communities and to the global economy in the future.

LARRY G. SCHULTZ
Chairman
Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania
Downtown

Strict conditions

In 1998 Japan injected capital across the board into its major banks without audits or conditions, along the lines of what the Bush administration has announced. Within a year, two of its largest banks failed, ultimately costing the taxpayers tens of billions of dollars.

In 1999 Japan again injected capital into its banks, but this time with strict audits and conditions and with the price of shares obtained by the government reflecting market values. Also, the capital was injected only into banks that needed it. The result was that banks were forced by the audits and conditions to clean up their acts and the taxpayers were eventually repaid.

Why is Congress letting President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson call all the shots? Congress needs to insist on immediate audits of financial institutions, market-based prices for all transactions with banks and strict conditions to be imposed on all banks participating in any government rescue program.

TITUS NORTH
Squirrel Hill

The writer is the Green Party candidate for Congress in the 14th District.

For my heroes

The recent campaign rhetoric has caused me to reflect on what "American hero" means to me. Certainly, I have the utmost respect and gratitude for our troops who have served and are serving, my brother among them. But there are many kinds of American heroes and I've thought a lot lately about two of mine.

This may be a story many Pittsburghers can relate to. My grandfathers were born into poor families on Pittsburgh's South Side. They spent their lives walking up and down the South Side Slopes to and from work at the J&L Steel mill each and every day regardless of weather. Neither ever had a driver's license. Each married and raised a family on the South Side and never accumulated financial wealth but more importantly lived honorable lives surrounded by families who loved them.

You see, they worked not for themselves but hoping that they could help give their children and grandchildren better lives and more opportunities than they had. Neither ever talked about work and, despite the toll their jobs must have taken on them, I remember them always with a smile on their faces rather than a scowl, quite unlike one current presidential candidate. So, when I cast my ballot for Obama/Biden on Nov. 4, you may not see them, but my American heroes will be standing smiling by my side.

ELAINE GAETANO
Whitehall

Why ask for more?

If you're voting Republican in November, please contact me! I have some Enron, WorldCom, Lehman Brothers and AIG stock I want to sell you and I will make you a really good deal. These people have been smacking you in the mouth with regularity for eight long years now. Maybe it's time to take a closer look at your dictionary. This November, any vote for a Republican is a vote to remove the word "gullible" from the dictionary.

DON MERZ
Mt. Lebanon

Not everywhere

In Monday's letters to the editor, a writer implied (or perhaps I inferred) that to her dismay, she has found herself in Pittsburgh darn near surrounded by racist idiots ("Diversity Dreams," Oct. 13). My experience would suggest that, if one chooses well, it is actually possible to live in Pittsburgh without being surrounded by racist idiots.

TERRY MAHER
Murrysville

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