To the editor:

The billions of dollars and a thousand American lives spent in Iraq is a very important issue. However, there are other issues during this election:

Veterans’ benefits experience dramatic reduction, overtime pay cuts are being considered, air and water quality protections reduced, No Child Left Behind not funded, pesticides will be allowed in our national forests and Pell Grant funds substantially reduced.

Our economy and lack of substantial job creation. Can we truly afford shipping American jobs abroad?

What are we doing personally to substantially reduce our dependency on oil? Shouldn’t we consider driving cars that get 35-50 mpg in town for everyday use? These cars are quiet, comfortable and available. One of these days, gas-guzzlers won’t be worth a plug nickel. Bicycles are fun, healthy, great for the environment, need no gas or oil, have disc brakes and are easy on the wallet. Walking is fun.

Some elected officials made Iraq decisions based on documented misinformation. Isn’t it perfectly understandable why some now have second thoughts? How has the war on terror been affected by being bogged down in Iraq? Why were these resources not directed at the Taliban/al-Qaida for the last three years in the first place? The Taliban/al-Qaida were not in Iraq.

The same taxpayer-funded medical policy that is afforded our legislators should be available for all.

Public and higher education need more funding.

Why does this administration need so much money to be re-elected — it’s a mockery of the system.

Why assassinate Sen. John Kerry’s active duty years in the military?

Richard Heckler,

Lawrence