DEAR ELIZABETH DOLE

I REQUEST A REFUND FROM THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE OF THE $50.00 I RECENTLY DONATED IN GOOD FAITH - CHECK CASHED ON MY MAY BANK STATEMENT. I HAVE LEARNED THAT YOUR HUSBAND SENATOR DOLE AND SENATOR MCGOVERN ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR A FREE BREAKFAST PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH THE DESIRED GOAL OF 29 MILLION (UNNECESSARY) MEALS. IF THIS IS WHAT ANY PORTION OF MY REPUBLICAN TAX DOLLARS IS OR WILL BE USED FOR, COUNT ME OUT, AND COUNT MY VOTE NUMEROUS TIMES, IF CHEATING IS ALLOWED.

WHO ARE WE KIDDING? PARENTLESS PARENTING IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A CHILD NOT BEING FED BEFORE HE OR SHE LEAVES FOR SCHOOL. IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S JOB TO "DOLE" OUT FREEBIES TO THE UNDESERVING. NOW LET'S NOT INTERJECT THE ARGUMENT THAT "WE ARE HELPING THE CHILDREN" REGARDLESS OF THE NEGLECT OF THE POOR PARENT OR PARENTS. AFFORDABILITY IS A NON-ISSUE. MY HUSBAND CAN BREAKFAST FOR A WEEK ON A $.99 BOX OF CORN FLAKES; I ON A $.79 BAG OF PUFFED RICE. IF SCHOOLS ABOLISHED EXTRANEOUS FOOD AND DRINK CONCESSIONS ON THEIR GROUNDS, RESTRICTED FOOD AND DRINK TO THE CAFETERIA AREA AND REQURED ALL LUNCHES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PARENTS WITH ONLY MILK AND JUICE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE DURING THESE MESS PERIODS, I SUSPECT THAT OBESITY RATES WOULD FALL AS TEST SCORES ROSE.

YES, I'M OLD. YOU'RE OLD TOO, ELIZABETH, BUT WHAT'S NEW IS NOT NECESSARILY BETTER. A NEW TREND SEEMS TO BE UN-CONTROLLED GOVERNMENT SPENDING BY REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE. HANDOUTS - AND I AM REMINDED OF KATRINA 'VICTIMS' - SIMPLY LEAD TO ADDITIONAL HANDS OUT. IT DRIVES ME CRAZY AND RIGHT INTO THE ARMS OF A LIBERTARIAN LOVER OF SELF-RELIANCE.