To the editor:

After reading the comments of our congressional delegation about the bailout bill vote, I think we should be glad they are not our local volunteer fire department. If your house was on fire and they arrived, I can imagine the conversation going like this:

Dennis Moore: “OK, guys, let’s put the fire out!”

Nancy Boyda: “Not so fast – first we need to know how much water we’ll need – we don’t want to waste any.”

Moore: “But what about the fire?”

Jerry Moran: “Also, we should tighten up the building codes to make structures more fireproof.”

Moore: “But what about the fire?”

Todd Tiahrt: “And, while we’re at it, let’s toughen the penalties for arson (assuming that’s what happened here).”

Moore: “But what about the fire?”

At that point, your house collapses in flames, and the discussion becomes academic. The fire crew expresses sympathy, and then intrepidly goes off to fight the next blaze.

I’m glad real life isn’t like this. Or, is it?

Jeff Southard,
Lawrence