Odious options in budget crisis

Regarding our new state budget cut, I would like to say that neither option of raising taxes or cutting state funded programs are right. Higher taxes mean we have to reach further in our pockets for pennies we don't have. But to cut state-funded programs would be a catastrophe.

There are many at risk such as children, the elderly and disabled. These are people who need help. I do think that some programs are chivalrous. At the same, time there are many programs that are a necessity. For example, the elderly who get assistance for nursing homes, the disabled who need medication and cannot be financially solvent on their own and working parents or single parents who cannot afford day care and rent. These people will be left broke, homeless and hungry. Or, they will be on public aid sucking more money out of our government.

My biggest frustrations come from choices our government is making, such as the choice to keep and not restructure financial aid. The recipients of medical, cash assistance, food stamps, and Section 8 are not giving back to society. If they are not working, the state will not receive any tax revenue from them.

State-funded programs allow a wide variety of people to be employed. There are those who receive assistance from the programs, the organizations that the state-funded programs run through, employ thousands of people, and the services of which people receive the assistance for. That returns revenue to the state. If they end, the day care providers will struggle and cut jobs. Nursing homes will do the same. Parents will have the option to pay rent or day care, and will eventually lose their jobs and houses. These are only a few of the devastating consequences.

Kara Healy

Lombard