This article was on my morning paper...

[Guest guest]

Dear List,

I read this article on my hometown newspaper and I thougth you may

find of interest. For those of us that are dealing with chronic

diseases and insurance, it is a very sad reminder of how unfair

things are and can be.

A dribble against the storm

By Waters

waters@...

August 27, 2003

Dear President Bush:

Thanks for the tax rebate.

I'm going to use mine to pay for the increase in local and state

taxes we've had around here lately.

And to cover tuition increases for two of my kids.

And to keep up with rising gas prices.

And to help my wife, a public school teacher, buy supplies for her

classroom.

And to help my teenage son, who's having trouble finding a minimum-

wage job.

And to buy wrapping paper from my 9-year-old son, who's dutifully

going door to door to raise money for his public school.

I thought I might have to spend some of it to help him learn how to

speak Spanish, play soccer and the viola. He's in a good school, but

the school system is strapped for cash.

Last week, elementary foreign language, string orchestra and " minor "

sports programs were all on the chopping block. Fortunately, the

superintendent found some money to save them, at least for now. He

didn't find enough to save computer programs, though.

Do you have any funds you could spare, Mr. President? I read in the

paper that we're spending close to $4 billion a month to rebuild

Iraq.

I wonder how many American neighborhoods we could rebuild with $4

billion a month? Or how many classrooms we could equip?

Anyway, I know you're scrambling day after day to keep terrorists

over there in the dark. But I hope you realize how hard our local

officials are scrambling day and night over here to keep budgets in

the black.

Our county is more than a billion dollars in debt. Our charity

hospital is on life support. Our jails are adding inmates and losing

jailers.

Our county schools are overwhelmed by the burgeoning neighborhoods

around them. Many of our city schools are overwhelmed by the

deteriorating neighborhoods around them.

Our city mayor is looking for alternative sources of revenue. Last

year, he became a prizefight promoter. This year, he's looking into

the casino business. " It's not a moral issue with me about gaming,

it's an economic issue, " the mayor said.

It is a moral issue for a lot of people, but the mayor might have a

point. The economy has fallen and can't seem to get back up, yet

casinos are thriving. You can't blame local officials for bellying

up.

If we're going to rely on gamblers to fund local government, maybe we

should make the most of it. Instead of just skimming tax dollars off

the top, let's put gamblers to work for us.

Slots for Tots.

Keno for Cops.

Blackboard Blackjack.

Russian (or Spanish or German or whatever language you want to teach

kids) Roulette.

Casino night at Central High.

Central High night at the casino.

It's just a thought.

Anyway, thanks for the tax rebate. I will put every penny of it to

good use.

I hope I have enough left over to buy a lottery ticket.

Contact columnist Waters at 529-2399 or E-mail

waters@....

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