---

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 5, 1992                   TAG: 9202050401
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

---

MAKE A BETTER MOUSETRAP

I AM A FORMER resident of Roanoke and former member of the Roanoke Police Department. While visiting Roanoke during the holidays, I read with interest the letter Dec. 26 by Clarence J. Jewell.

I could not agree more with his comments regarding Japan and the effect on the economics of America. I was in Hawaii recently and was surprised to learn the second language spoken there is Japanese.

Flying in and out of the islands, I had an unexplainable feeling when I realized we were in the same airspace that the Japanese used to attempt to control America by force. Not being able to do that, they are now working on it economically.

Someone asked, "Why is Japan buying so much property in America?" and the answer was, "Because the Americans are selling it to them."

I agree that we as private citizens should be more concerned about our legislators, particular those who knowingly permit misuse of the taxpayers' money. Time and time again, articles are written about the waste in the federal government, and nothing is done to correct the situation, but much effort is made to cover up.

We need to "Wake up, America, buy America, think America," and to make some changes in our American politics and politicians. Yes, we also need to improve our products so competition will take care of the purchasing habits of Americans. Let's make a better mousetrap. CECIL WEBSTER SEMINOLE, FL

---