Letters, 3/12: Better uses for federal funds

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Let me get this straight:  At a cost of nearly $42 million, the IRS wants us to know that our checks are almost in the mail. This government agency is spending the money on a letter to alert taxpayers to expect rebate checks as part of the economic stimulus plan.

It seems to me that the Bush administration could find countless better uses for this money than a self-congratulatory mailer that gives the president a pat on the back for an idea that wasn’t even his.

This is the same logic used by the president in 2003, when troops invaded Iraq and he predicted that the war would be self-financing and that the rebuilding of the nation would cost less than $2 billion. The same astute planning has seen the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan cost the American taxpayer more than $3 trillion.

Bob Pinkerton, Weeping Water

Donate those old computers

On behalf of Lincoln Action Program, I would like to thank Lee Enterprises for its recent publication of Go Green in the Lincoln Journal Star. Go Green presented simple actions for residents to adopt in pursuit of a cleaner and safer environment.  

Of particular interest was the article entitled “eWASTE: Obsolete electronic gadgets fill landfills.” This article included information on the growing numbers of obsolete electronics and the potential harm to our environment as a result of improper disposal.

Also, the article included suggestions for consumers to consider when disposing of outdated electronics. Although very good, these suggestions were limited to options through major electronics companies.  

I would like to remind Lincoln residents of one local opportunity for recycling computer systems. Lincoln Action Program’s computer recycling program, which is funded in part by a grant from the state Department of Environmental Quality Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program, provides an outlet for local businesses, agencies and individuals to responsibly dispose of their obsolete computer systems.

Donated computers are refurbished and distributed to local organizations and to Lincoln Action Program clients, who successfully complete program requirements on their path to economic self-sufficiency.

In addition, the program provides for the safe disposal of electronics that are unable to be reused. In 2008, the agency will divert about 1,200 computer systems from disposal and distribute 300 refurbished computers. 

Sue Hinrichs, Lincoln,

executive director, Lincoln Action Program

Dreams for children dashed

Pleasant Hill Elementary and four other Class I schools were assimilated with Kearney Public Schools as a result of LB126. And Pleasant Hill will be the third Class I school closed by Kearney schools.

The reason stated was financial, even though the school receives less than

0.5 percent of the total $50 million Kearney schools budget. Because of an increase in transportation costs (they have to buy a new bus and pay for the fuel), it could be years before they see any savings from closing Pleasant Hill. 

Pleasant Hill is a small school with multi-grade classrooms. A multi-grade classroom gives students the opportunity to be exposed to ideas and concepts that are part of the next grade level.

As a kindergartner, my son listened to the first-grade discussion of coins; he came home and practiced counting and identifying coins before they covered it in his class. We practiced math facts for months before it was covered because of the early exposure to adding and subtracting.

Kearney Public Schools went through the motions — they had a couple of meetings with parents. The truth is a small school doesn’t fit their mold and they cannot or will not adjust.

As news began to circulate about Pleasant Hill closing, the comment from a school board member was that there was no opposition. It is difficult to stand your ground against an entity that holds your child’s future in their hands.

My husband and I moved from Colorado to Nebraska and built our house in Pleasant Hill School District so that our children could attend Pleasant Hill, and because of a senator from Lincoln, that dream for our children will not happen.

Carla Kegley-Owen, Kearney

Anti-illegal bills aren’t racist

How dare Ernie Chambers and any of the other senators refer to illegal immigration bills as “racist.” This is just a tactic to make people feel guilty who are angry about illegal immigrants being given privileges that should be reserved for legal citizens.

It’s not about the color of the skin, it’s about “illegal.” The senators seem to want to overlook this fact. So, if being upset over the fact that illegal immigrants are being granted all these privileges makes me a racist, then label me racist!

Sandra Lab, Lincoln