Letter: No sacrifice on part of wealthy

Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 | 11:44 a.m.

I have always had a problem in trying to understand whom President Bush is asking to make sacrifices during this time of war.

The reports on corporations show the oil companies are making billions in net profits. Why aren't they being asked to sacrifice, and give the public a break in what it is paying for gas?

Most people I know have no other way of getting to work except by using their cars. Wealthy people certainly don't see higher gas prices as any sacrifice. Their tax breaks more than make up for the price of gas.

I can live with President Bush taking care of his buddies. What I can't live with is him taking an extended vacation while our troops are dying and being injured every day in the war he started in Iraq.

I'm a grandfather who just lost a 23-year-old grandson in Iraq. I loved him very much and I know for a fact that it isn't just the mothers who are made to sacrifice.

For each one of these wonderful young people who have given the ultimate sacrifice, there are probably 20 or more family members and friends who have to live with this loss for the rest of their lives.

I think George W. Bush is an embarrassment to the office of the president.

SHEL BERLATSKY