Blunt saves taxes for other states

To the editor:

I am an Ohio resident who frequently travels to Missouri for business. I read an article in the Columbia Missourian regarding a study by to St. Louis University economics professors on the impact of Gov. Matt Blunt's intent to cut over $200 million from Missouri Medicaid funding.

This cut would save the federal government some $379 million in matching funds. This means Blunt is saving hundreds of millions of dollars for taxpayers nationwide. I suppose I should thank him on behalf of all of them.

However, more than 10,000 Missouri residents will lose their jobs as a result, not to mention the ensuing $700 million-plus loss in business activity, according to those professors. I also imagine there will be many thousands more uninsured Missourians because of those job losses and the absences of that business activity.

Americans elsewhere appreciate Blunt's willingness to have his state bite the bullet, set and example and help taxpayers everywhere else. I really appreciate Blunt's concern for all taxpayers outside his state.

MICHAEL J. BAIRD, Cleveland