Dear Editor:
Tom Birchfield has once again misrepresented the policies of the president and of Republicans in general. He again has attacked the president on his position with Iraq. The face of this nation was changed on Sept. 11 whether we like it or not. Because of that tragedy this president and any president after him be it Republican or Democrat will be forced to take a stand against any potential threat to the security of Americans.
As far as education cuts, this is nothing more than fear mongering by Birchfield. The president’s public education plan is called “No Child Left Behind.” As an education major I can tell you that this program will do a great deal to make our schools and our teachers better and more effective. “No Child Left Behind” increases federal education funding for Tennessee to more than $745.3 million to help local schools ensure that no child is left behind. This amount is $83 million more than last year’s.
For higher education, it increases Pell Grant funding to an estimated $179 million, which is $11.8 million more than last year, and a 24.5 percent increase over 2000 levels.
Birchfield claims that social programs will be cut from the poor and those in desperate need. This is simply not true. Republicans look at these programs in a different light than Democrats. Democrats would like to keep these people dependent on the federal government. Republicans want to make these disadvantaged people self-sufficient citizens.
The president in his calls for welfare reform has provided a plan that will help more welfare recipients achieve independence through work. It will protect children and strengthen families. It empowers states to seek new solutions to help welfare recipients achieve independence. It will also provide compassionate food assistance to legal immigrants in need.
The fact is that the president is doing a good job leading this country and he will continue to do so.
The American people proved that they believe in the president and the stands that the Republican party have taken in the midterm elections. I believe that this will be a great period in American history for all Americans, not a time to be frightened by the scare tactics of people like Birchfield.
John David Shanks

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