Letter: Some in GOP forget Gospels

Thursday, May 22, 2003 | 9:05 a.m.

If one looks at the Republican Party agenda, it is easy to see that it does not include the unemployed or the poor. All requests for an extension of unemployment benefits were ignored by both the Republican-controlled House and Senate. The reductions on the income tax ignore the effects on those programs designed to help the least of our citizens.

Apparently, the Republicans cannot see the effects beyond the Beltway. They apparently do not understand that if you have lost your job in a company where the executives walk away with millions of dollars, that the unemployed bread winner in the family has to provide food and shelter. Already, because of the worsening of the nation's economy, crime rates are rising. At the same time the big winners in tax cuts will be the Wall Street brokers, CEOs and investors. If you do not have a job or money to invest, what good does the tax-exempt dividends do?

The Republicans seem to be supported by the "Moral Majority." If that is right, then they should go back to their religious roots and reread the parables contained in the Gospels, like the Good Samaritan and others. It would be something if they would think in terms of what so ever you do to the least of my brethren, so you do unto me.

RAY HARBERT