This page was last updated on September 17, 2013.
Repeal the Sequester; Bruce F. Simmeth; Beaver County Times; September 17, 2013. An editor’s note states, “The writer is the executive director of the United Way of Beaver County.”
This is the at least the 31st 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, here, here, 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 BCT 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 confiscate income/wealth from one person and give it to another, regardless of good intentions. Further, it can be the difference between a family remaining self-sufficient and requiring assistance.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“I am very concerned about the very negative impact which the Sequester’s funding reductions are having on our nation’s safety net. Human Services are being impacted by the Sequester, including Head Start, Meals on Wheels, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and the Low Income Food Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).”
[RWC] Most of my comments about the spending sequester in my critique of “People should be priority.”
“As Chairman of the Emergency Food and Shelter Board in Beaver County, I am very concerned that the EFSP will have its funding reduced by the Sequester. The EFSP has already seen major reductions in its funding which has had a very negative impact on the delivery of emergency services, such as food, shelter, utility, rent and mortgage assistance.
“I am also quite concerned regarding the impact of the Sequester on three major federal food assistance programs -- the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and the Summer Food Service Program.
“In conclusion, I would urge our United States senators and congressmen to repeal the Sequester during the current session of congress [sic]. Our nation’s safety net is being stretched to the limit by the Sequester and so are our low-income citizens who are the recipients of these important programs.”
[RWC] There is nothing compassionate about the government taking from one family’s paycheck to give to someone who didn’t earn it. There is nothing altruistic or charitable about telling government to rob from Peter to pay Paul. Compassion is when a person freely chooses to use his own paycheck to help someone in need. Should people in need get help? Of course, but from private charities funded by voluntary contributions, not by confiscated earnings.
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