Your Nov. 10 editorial regarding Tom Vilsack's record as governor included some half-truths ("Vilsack for President?). You stated that "during a downturn in our nation's economy, he helped the state weather the storm without raising taxes or shutting down state government."
You have ignored the more subtle ways Vilsack found money for his agenda. And, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and others have started the campaign rhetoric that Thomas Vilsack will leave Iowa with a $300 million surplus. That is not true.
During Vilsack's term in office, nearly every available special fund was raided to continue spending without raising taxes. Those funds include the emergency fund, tobacco fund, Senior Living Trust Fund and others.
The Senior Living Trust Fund was funded by the federal government. It was provided to help frail, low-income seniors remain in their own homes rather than going into assisted-living facilities or nursing homes.
Over the past three years, Vilsack has promised to return money taken from that fund for unintended uses, but it appears he will leave office without repaying over $200 million of that money.
The suggested $300 million surplus in nothing more than a shifting of funds at the expense of the support system for low-income seniors and the effort to improve the health of our youngest citizens...
- Graham Fee, Knoxville.
Mr Fee is entirely correct.
Speaking of Tom Harkin, listen to this bullshit on his web site:
Social Security is currently on sound financial footing. In fact, every year it is taking in more money than is needed to send checks to current beneficiaries. These reserves should be used to cushion the strain of the large numbers of baby boomers that will soon begin retiring.And where's that extra money going? Oh yeah, that's right, Tom Harkin is mortgaging it to pay for things like Iowa's Senior Living Trust Fund.
What a bunch of thieves. All of them.
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