Emerson should oppose cuts

To the editor:

The U.S. House of Representatives will soon vote on a budget bill that can strip more money from services in our state. Everyone in the 8th Congressional District, having the four poorest counties in the state, will be affected.

The federal reconciliation bill proposes cutting $35 billion from programs like Medicaid, food stamps, student loans, Head Start, housing and other social programs. Yet the same bill proposes giving $70 billion in tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. What is even more shocking is the fact that hurricane recovery efforts are being used to justify the cuts.

I worked on the local Hurricane Katrina relief effort and count many survivors as acquaintances and friends. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson graciously offered help and support at that time. Last week I visited Emerson's office to take her up on that offer. The best thing she can do for hurricane victims and the rest of us is to stand up to her Republican colleagues and vote against cuts in health care, education and other services that will definitely hurt her constituents back home. Standing up for working people, the poor, the elderly and children is what has earned Emerson the voters' support in the past and will secure our support in the future. Can we really sustain any more hits? Please, Representative Emerson, vote against this bill and for the restoration of opportunities for constituents of your district.

PAT ALLEN, Kennett, Mo.