Society’s priorities seriously askew
Let me get this straight.
Our congressman, Marlin Stutzman, is sponsoring a bill that will disappropriate $1 billion per year and $11.5 billion over the next 10 years from the Corporation for National and Community Service; much of this money goes to AmeriCorps programs that enable students to further their education. This was reported in The Journal Gazette Jan. 31.
Meanwhile, the “national ticket” for Super Bowl Sunday in Indianapolis is $11 billion, as reported the same day.
Also reported that day, Gov. Mitch Daniels, along with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, was to host a reception for businessmen in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl. Indiana’s governor was able to tell these businessmen that Indiana is now a right-to-work state.
Something is seriously wrong with a society that limits educational opportunities for its youth while worshipping professional athletes and the games they play. There is also something seriously wrong with a society that limits financial opportunity to the needy while coddling the wealthy. And didn’t our country just spend twice as much in a month ($20 billion, if memory serves me well) fighting a war in Iraq than it would spend in a decade providing the youth of our country with a means toward educational advancement through the CNCS?
I think games are fun, and I admit receptions built around them might be fun, too. But I don’t like the games politicians play, and I don’t think I am the only one. Of course, most politicians don’t have to worry about how to finance a college education, and their sons and daughters don’t have to worry about fighting wars. They must be too preoccupied doing other things.
Somehow, I just can’t get it straight, but thanks for reporting it, anyway.
BILL LANKFORD New Haven
Budget cuts kill ‘second home’
I was very upset to hear that Fox Island summer camp has been cut out of the budget for this year. I have been going to camp there since I was 6 years old, and I am now 11. I went to camp there at least six weeks of every summer. I was hoping to be a volunteer counselor there when I turn 12. It is like my second home.
It is one of the only day camps in our area where you can be out in nature and learn about its beauty. I know the names of all the trees there. I learned how to build a shelter and a fire. I have learned how important each animal and reptile is. I have learned how to take care of nature too.
Kids need to be outside in nature more. It can help kids like me feel good about themselves and help us feel connected to the Earth.
This program should not be cut. We should have more programs like this. I wish someone could do something to save this camp!
MARIAH SMITH Fort Wayne
Urge LIHEAP sales tax repeal
While there are many divisive issues being debated this session of the General Assembly, repealing a state sales tax on the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program should have broad support on both sides of the aisle. Due to federal cuts, Indiana will receive about $27 million less LIHEAP this year to help struggling households heat and cool their homes. Meanwhile, the number of Hoosiers in poverty has risen to more than 15 percent. Paying for utilities is the No. 1 request for help by 211 callers and the primary obstacle to maintaining affordable housing.
Of the households assisted by LIHEAP this past season, 34 percent contained a family member with a disability, 26 percent were elderly and 24 percent had at least one child younger than 6. The General Assembly exempted LIHEAP from state sales tax from 2006-09. Reinstating this exemption would free an additional 7 percent of bill-payment funds.
House Bill 1141, authored by Reps. Peggy Welch, Ed Clere, Randy Truitt and John Day, reinstates the LIHEAP tax exemption and goes a step further by capturing unclaimed utility deposits and refunds that currently revert back to the state general fund after 25 years. The bill would redirect these funds to help households pay deposits necessary to connect utility service.
Please urge your senators to support this bill, which has already passed in the house.
The following support HB 1141: Indiana Community Action Association, AARP Indiana, Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Duke Energy, Indiana 211 Partnership, Indiana Association of United Ways, Indiana Catholic Conference, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Lafayette Urban Ministry and NIPSCO.
KATIE MOREAU Associate state director, communications AARP Indiana
