Bush budget’s impact on state

President Bush presents himself as a fiscal conservative, yet he continues to put the country deeper into debt, at the same time robbing Americans of much-needed services. This irresponsible policy is hurting individual Americans while shredding the fabric of our communities.

In his latest budget, the President proposes cutting education, homeland security, health care and Medicaid among other important services. Under the new budget, Arizona would suffer serious cuts in the police and firefighter forces. Pell grants to the 124,224 Arizona students who depend on these grants would be non-existent.

The state will lose $998 million in Medicaid funds, with serious consequences for those of us who depend on Medicaid for our health care needs. Veterans would have to pay $250.00 per year to have access to Veterans Administration health care, whereas now they don’t have an annual fee. Additionally, co-payment for prescription drugs would double for Vets under the new budget.

These are only a sample of the cuts that will affect so many Arizonans. The President must be made to remember that he bears the responsibility for the welfare of the people of this state and the country.

Juliette Colangelo

Sedona, Ariz.

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