Money misspent

Once again President Bush is going before Congress to ask for $10.6 billion to rebuild Afghanistan and strengthen its government. Meanwhile, we are missing the picture at home and the struggles that Americans face every day. If Bush asked Congress to pass a bill for the same amount for our school system, we could send more than 100,000 worthy young adults to college for four years at $20,000 per year. Who would have the nerve to reject that bill? Social Security is failing. By the time I am old enough to retire, it could cease to exist. Our health-care system is in poor standing. There are so many pressing issues in our own country and we are in a budget deficit. I am asking Congress to do something good for our country for a change. Take this proposal and give the money back to our country. As much as it pains me to say this, America is failing. We are no longer leaders by example. We have become a vicious nation that, to the rest of the world, looks like a bully. Before looking outward to fix the world's problems, we need to fix what is wrong with ourselves and our country. Joseph Nelson, Mount Ephraim - Courier Post, February 3, 2007