I have just read the Associated Press story which reports about Mr. Albert Lexie, a shoeshine man in Pittsburgh, who sells his shoeshine for $3 each. Over the last two decades, he has given any tips, or other contributions received, to the Free Care Fund of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The total? $89,000.

I cannot help but wonder if all the wealthy persons to whom President Bush gave a tax cut have the good grace to blush and contribute their tax cuts, plus much more, to similar worthy causes.

Meanwhile I keep hearing about thousands losing jobs, thousands going without health care or homes, one in six children going hungry every day and millions spent on building more jails rather than giving hope, help and positive self images to every child from prenatal care to twenty-one.

I grieve over every life lost in war on both sides of every conflict. Why can’t we teach peace and how to obtain it? The world is one community and we have to recognize we’re all in the same boat.

Grace K. Parker

Babylon