February 23, 1995: Vol26n28: Letter to the Editor

Editor:
If we are to write letters about the proposed state budget cuts it strikes me that as professionals in higher education we ought to do more than say simply, "give us back our money because we deserve it," but rather we should add to that "and here are my suggestions as to how that could be done." Here are three examples of what such a letter could look like:
	1. "Give us back our money because we deserve it and you can do it by taking another $100 million out of Medicare, another $50 million out of Medicaid, another $75 million out of state aid to local school districts and another $60 million out of law enforcement. That would just about do it." Or
	2. "Give us back our money because we deserve it and forget about the income tax reduction promised last fall. That would just about do it." Or
	3. "Give us back our money because we deserve it and forget about balancing the budget. That would just about do it."
	I am sure the recipients of this kind of letter would find it much more useful than the usual message of outraged indignation untempered by any useful suggestions.
Sincerely,
Thomas Barry
Classics