My apology... third and last post today. I'll not post again 'till next week. Here goes my New Year's resolution... again. ~~~~~~~~~ Re: the NYTimes article Rep. Kahn cites, referencing the Bush budget and the costs of war:
It almost sounds like a Molly Ivan's article, absent the wit. In general, I'm looking for some compromise in the federal budget, given what both sides are presenting. First off, the NYT article is without context, and has no direct relevance to this Minneapolis-specific forum. How many federal positions will be cut in Minneapolis? How many Minneapolis residents will be impacted by the proposed cuts? How many veterans currently go unserved or underserved at the Vets Hospital? How will this change under the Bush budget? Where is the relevance? The entire article represents more cheap shots in the political vein. I'm surprised such superficial journalism even appears in the NYT. As to the speculative costs of war in Iraq, I'd suggest we reinstitute the draft so that all of America can more fully appreciate the cost:benefit aspects of participation. Not of immediate consequence maybe, but important none-the-less. I think it would add to the dialogue; and we'd find some costs... priceless. But, I digress. As to the budgetary statements in the article, there is no reference to the relative nature of said cuts... what does it mean if we cut 1,175 FBI agents? ... or leave 230,000 veterans without medical services? I don't know how good a job the FBI is doing or how many agents are currently on the payroll. I'd characterize current medical services provided to veterans as atrocious-- something I wish was better advertised to the volunteers that fill today's ranks of our armed services. There are truth in advertising laws, but it's akin to leading a horse to water only to find they aren't thirsty. I can't put the 230,000 vets that won't be served in context, especially given the quality of service provided by the VA today (no disrespect to VA health care providers intended-- I recognize you can only do what you can do, given fiscal reality). Considering the state of today's managed care health delivery system and the vast numbers of uninsured/underinsured residents, the VA medical system shortfalls fit right into the current status of the health care delivery system serving us in MN and across the country. So, what's the alternative being proposed? Nationally and right here in MN? And remember, the federal government can incur deficit-ridden budgets, ... hell, it can print money; states cannot! Vicky's earlier comments about local giveaways add context to the above numbers. Let's keep our local houses in order-- the budgets anyway! Michael Hohmann Linden Hills TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
