Don't do as the Romans did

When my paycheck runs out before my week, I cut discretionary spending. The U.S. government has a multi-trillion dollar deficit.

Why are my tax dollars still funding the governments and economies of other countries?

The U.S. has millions of people out of work and many hungry children. Why are my tax dollars feeding so many children in other countries?

This country is a financial mess. Why would anyone ever vote for an incumbent in any election?

If Congress was the leadership of a company in the business world, its members would all be fired and sued by shareholders for malfeasance.

If we the people don't do something to get people retrained for the jobs of today and tomorrow and to make sure our children are getting good nutrition and good educations, how do we expect to continue to prosper and be relevant on the world stage?

If you think I am exaggerating, read about the fall of Rome. The Romans became too selfish and greedy and did not take care of their empire. Now they are only found in the history books. Could that be the U.S. in a few hundred years?

MICHELE STARKEY
ROANOKE

Numbers don't add up on Syrian aid

I freely admit I'm not good with numbers. My checkbook looks like something out of a horror movie.

So can someone please explain to me how we can now be sending $60 million in aid to Syrian rebels, but we can't afford to keep teachers in schools or firemen and policemen on the force?

REGINA NORMAN
ROANOKE

Balanced approach needed on deficit

If federal lawmakers can't put politics aside, damaging cuts under an arcane budget tool known as sequestration will compromise our nation's health, security and economy, endangering millions of American jobs.

Friday, core government functions, including critical public health activities such as food safety inspections, HIV testing and response to disease outbreaks and emergencies, became subject to severe cuts.

Already under-resourced public health departments will continue to struggle to protect the health of our communities, and the public will be at greater risk for infectious disease outbreaks, foodborne illnesses like E. coli and infections from routine hospital stays.

Essential public health services such as food safety inspection and disease prevention and control are not the drivers of our nation's debt, and they have already done more than their part to reduce the deficit.

I urge our Virginia members of Congress and our senators to work with their colleagues in Washington, D.C., to find a balanced approach to deficit reduction.

We need to prevent these short-sighted cuts, as well as to put our nation on a sustainable fiscal path while continuing to adequately protect the public's health.

LEON F. VINCI
ROANOKE

The government we deserve

We are all disgusted with the gridlocked Congress behaving like a bunch of spoiled children.

They are so irresponsible, we say.

Well, perhaps we should look at our responsibility in sending them to Washington.

Both long-serving Rep. Bob Goodlatte and recently elected Rep. Morgan Griffith are examples of politicians who contribute to the gridlock by their partisan positions and refusal to compromise on almost every issue.

So before we get too upset, we should remember the Toyota ad: "You asked for it - you got it!"

FRANK SETTLE
LEXINGTON

Weather Journal

19 hours ago