More pressing needs to address

Published 9:00 pm Monday, May 19, 2003

At a time when state and local governments are struggling, unemployment is high, average citizens’ retirements are taking a beating and the environment is on the edge of disaster, we have a federal government justifying enormous tax cuts for the rich. And with an already huge deficit, where is this money coming from – Social Security and Medicare?

If the $726 billion that President Bush wants were used to support state and local programs, the state of Washington would receive $2.2 billion next year. Maybe the Bush administration should instead take a lesson from the parents in Eugene, Ore., who gave blood to raise money for the local schools.

Edmonds