Priorities Wrong for LoBiondo

In an Aug. 11 article, Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, was quoted as saying he was angry, embarrassed and outraged at the way the state of New Jersey is allocating homeland-security funding. According to reports, most of the funding is going to Democrat-run districts, only $127 million out of $300 million received from Washington has been spent, and areas that have received funding are misusing it by purchasing such frivolous items as air conditioning for garbage trucks. But one has to wonder about the motive for LoBiondo's indignation when one learns that he voted against investigating possible fraud and price gouging by contractors in Iraq. The cost of that fraud to American taxpayers is in the billions. Contracts were awarded for the most part without competitive bidding and to companies that have close personal ties to President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. LoBiondo seems to be more concerned about allocating money according to party lines than he is about possible theft of taxpayer dollars.

J. DAVID ALCANTARA

Atlantic City

Letter printed in Press of Atlantic City, August 20, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/columns/082005LETTSSATAUG20.cfm