THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 1996 TAG: 9601110010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Congress voted to let the veterans and welfare recipients receive their benefits; then they retired to their various homes to relax and enjoy the holidays with friends and family.
I wonder, did they do that just so they would not feel guilty?
What about the 280,000 federal employees unable to enjoy the holidays safe in the knowledge that they still had a job?
If Congress were to be considered ``nonessential,'' as it should be considering its track record, it would be able to find the needed money in a hurry. How about using the $6 million we sent to Bosnia?
The members of Congress should remember that charity begins at home, not overseas. Our people should be taken care of first.
Let's quit wasting federal grant money on stupidity. I doubt the general public really cares or is too awfully concerned about how fast ketchup flows or how long it takes to crack an egg. We could have used the $525,000 in more important areas.
Next time the members of Congress vote to give themselves a raise, they should do us a favor and don't, or they may find themselves considered nonessential federal employees.
SHARON FOREMSKY
Moyock, N.C., Jan. 2, 1996 by CNB