Letters: We can't cure other countries' ills, so let's take care of ours

WHY DO we think we can stop every brutal dictator who decides to slaughter his own people?

We can't get involved in everybody's problems - what about our problems here in America? Crime, poverty, racism, homelessness, and the economy.

Let's focus on that before we focus on other countries.

Carlton R. Manley, Philadelphia

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Re Larry Platt's column on Charles Barkley's rant that the NCAA and colleges should make sure student-athletes graduate:

A noble cause, but isn't the onus for graduation being placed on the wrong entity?

It's not the NCAA's or the school's responsibility to make sure students graduate; it's the responsibility of the students. Student-athletes have been given an opportunity that many citizens just don't have.

This scenario is a microcosm of the entitlement mentality that many have today, where blame, personal responsibility and culpability are removed from the person and placed on an institution.

Tom Sexton, Philadelphia

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I know I'm in the minority on school vouchers when I say I'm against them.

To me, the voucher program is like Section 8 for schools. When Section 8 was introduced, it seemed like a good idea - on paper. Now, when I look at the Section 8 reality, I see that the majority of the people who used and abused the program have ruined the houses - and the city. That's what I fear will happen with school vouchers.

My husband and I send our sons to parochial school even though my tax dollars pay for public schools because I feel they won't get a quality education [in public schools]. I think a parent who doesn't have to worry about the cost of a child's education and does not have to sacrifice for it won't be as invested as someone who does pay for it.

I'm tired of people who can't afford to live in better areas complaining about their situation. Get an education, better yourself and move.

The same thing goes for schooling.

There are schools out there that I would love to send my kids to but I can't afford it, but I'm not going to complain to my government that it's not right and request money to help me out.

We are not a socialist state, and I'm tired of the government trying to make us into one. Let's face it, life isn't fair. We aren't all on an even playing field, so get over it.

Dorothy McGinnis, Philadelphia

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Those evil Republicans. How dare they try to stop the Democrats, who know we are all too dumb to think for ourselves, with these new CFL bulbs that are making us all blind because they are so dim that I can no longer read your $1 newspaper. (I need to use twice as many to light my house.)

And when I throw them away, I'm putting mercury into the landfills. And how many are made in the U.S.?

Robert Buday, Abington

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Hey, if the city is broke, why would they buy full-size SUVs for the police?

What's wrong with the midsize Ford Explorers that make up the Traffic Division fleet? SUVs are also more expensive to maintain and cause more damage in crashes. A little oversight is needed to save the city a few dollars.

Willie J. Eiland Jr., Philadelphia