To The Editor
Defense Budget

Raided

Dear Editor,

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." George Washington.

A survey from Citizens against Government Waste, sent out by Senator John McCain not only demonstrates the disastrous shape of our nation's defenses, but exposes congressmen and senators who put pork barrel projects above the national interest. The career politicians use the defense budget to siphon money needed for our nation's military.

Most Americans are not aware that in the eight years before President Bush, the size of our nation's armed forces was cut in half. Air Force and Naval units have to cannibalize working aircraft to keep others in the air. Thousands of service men and women are now eligible for food stamps.

Congress used $12.6 billion in defense budget funds for items like the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration. Congressional pork barrel spending robs of dollars vitally needed for weapons systems and armor to protect our troops, and benefits for service personnel.

Until voters wake-up and insist on a pork-free diet in the defense budget, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force front line troops will have to scrounge for parts. Billions of dollars are being diverted from defense budget to pork barrel spending to get congressmen and senators reelected.

Consider the words of Alex de Tocqueville: "Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves a largesse from the treasury. From that moment on, the majority will always vote for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury with a result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy."

Reform is needed in Washington. Seniority, the committee system of career politicians, lobbyists, and unscrupulous office-seekers do much harm to undermine the public's trust in Washington. However, in the final analysis, it is apathy on part of the voters that is the greatest threat to the republic.

L. Maxwell Narby

Emporium

Sunday

Hunting: Yes

To the editor:

By restricting Sunday hunting, states are not only limiting opportunities for today's hunters but are making it harder to recruit new hunters to carry on our proud heritage.

Other outdoor activities are allowed on Sunday, including fishing, hiking and golf. By restricting hunting and not other activities, state governments are sending a message that hunting isn't as legitimate an activity.

This ignores the fact that hunters contribute billions of dollars to the benefit of wildlife, both through license fees and excise taxes paid on firearms and ammunition.

Hunting opportunities are largely decided by two factors: accessible land and available time. Since most hunters work Monday through Friday, a ban on Sunday hunting cuts their available hunting time in half.

Many young people have school or athletic obligations on Saturday. With the myriad of activities that compete for the attention of young people today, a restriction on Sunday hunting means many of them never take up the sport.

Sunday hunting will also bring an economic benefit to many rural areas. Every day that hunters are in the field, they spend money on gas, food, lodging and the dozens of other incidentals.

None of the states that allow Sunday hunting have experienced the horror stories forecast by opponents. The states continue to have healthy wildlife populations. Hunters continue to behave in a responsible and safe manner. Church attendance remains unchanged. Landowner-hunter conflicts have not increased.

In sum, Sunday hunting has had nothing but a beneficial impact on these states and the future of hunting in them. Chris W. Cox, Exec. Dir. Nat. Rifle Assn. Institute

for Legislative Action

Need A Grocery Store

To the Editor,

In my opinion, this town needs another grocery store not another drug store. We need another grocery store.

Thank you Beverly Smith

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