Is it a rebate check or just hush money?

Never doubt that the U. S. is a "welfare state." In May, taxpayers will receive $300 to $600 from the federal government to do with whatever they please.

Pay the rent ? Doubtful. Not enough. Buy groceries? Maybe. But wait, investment

bank Bear Stearns received $200 billion in help. What is wrong with this picture?

Also, every month in Iraq the U.S. spends $44 billion. We now count 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed and thousands wounded. What are we thinking? Is the $300-$600 "hush money"?

Eleanor Lukazewski

Geneva