Bruce Simmeth – 1/13/09

This page was last updated on January 17, 2009.

Safety net is being stretched to limit; Bruce Simmeth, United Way of Beaver County; Beaver County Times; January 13, 2009.

This is the at least the eighth letter from Mr. Simmeth since June 2005 lobbying for more government redistribution of income/wealth. If you look at my previous critiques of his letters (here, here, here, here, here, and here), you’ll find Mr. Simmeth tends to overstate alleged cuts and requests huge increases. In one case, Mr. Simmeth appeared to request a spending increase of from five to 10 times. In January 2006, Mr. Simmeth wanted federal taxpayers to increase their funding of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by $2,000,000,000. I did not critique that letter (“Hike LIHEAP funding”; January 24, 2006) and it is no longer on the Times website.

While I applaud Mr. Simmeth’s efforts to help the less fortunate among us, I oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to fund any of these efforts. It’s wrong to take income from one person and give it to another, regardless of good intentions.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“This year’s United Way campaign has goal of $900,000 to achieve on behalf of our 20 member agencies and the important programs that they provide for all of us.

“Some of our member agencies funded by the United Way include the American Red Cross, Beaver County Cancer & Heart Association, Beaver County Rehabilitation Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Beaver County, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army and the Women’s Center of Beaver County.

“We have seen an increase in community needs, and the safety net provided by our member agencies is being stretched to the limit as we continue to see an increase in requests for emergency assistance due to unemployment, domestic violence and the rising costs of fuel and food.

“We are working with our congressional representatives to ensure that the next economic recovery package being considered by Congress will address the needs of our low-income families, including increased funding for emergency assistance programs regarding food, energy, housing and unemployment.”

[RWC] I wish Mr. Simmeth would focus his effort on the United Way and stop trying to pick my pocket via government programs. Should people in need get help? Of course, but from private charities funded by voluntary contributions, not by confiscated earnings.

“Due to the difficult economy and the increase in community needs, there is a tremendous need for the success of this year’s campaign on behalf of our 20 member agencies.”