To the editor:

Once again, a very conservative Congress, encouraged by an exceptionally self-serving administration, is about to free up more money for various tax cuts to line wealthy pockets while trying to make it sound like they’re doing what’s in everyone’s best interest.

However, I fail to see how cutting funding for college students, for example, is in anyone’s best interest. Countless college students, including my son, depend on student loans and work-study income to pay college tuition and will be more productive citizens because of their college education. If our cumulative resources – taxes – can be better used than educating the next generation, what is it?

Unfortunately, student loans aren’t the only need of poor and middle-class Americans about to get the ax. Countless Douglas County families depend on Medicaid and food stamps for basic necessities. A surprisingly wide variety of people need unemployment insurance in times of crisis. Growing numbers of Lawrence residents – who’ve been productive, taxpaying citizens for decades – are among the millions depending on pension plans and Social Security.

Yet, pension plans, student loans, work-study programs, Medicaid, food stamps and unemployment insurance are just a few of the programs that Congress is about to make more cuts in benefits, paid for with our money.

Do most of those elected to represent us not understand their actions affect the health and well-being of Americans in every stage and walk of life? It’s crucial that the proposed Republican budget be rejected because it harms far more people than it helps.

Sandra Sanders,

Lawrence