Wars are used as economic boosters

Regarding the recent Sunday piece, "The Iraq crucible," when was the last time the army from Iraq or Kuwait invaded the United States? Our military is supposed to guard our borders, not go to war in every Third World country.

I think World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam were wars to build up the economy, and so is this one.

-- Dom Conforti, Beaver Dam

I want to commend the Wisconsin State Journal on its coverage of the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War. You raised a number of important issues that are thought-provoking.

Here are a few additional questions I would like answered:

* How many of our soldiers who have been killed in Iraq are the sons or daughters of U.S. senators and representatives or members of the current administration? How many of this group are serving?

* How many children have been killed in Iraq since the war began?

* To what extent is this $3 trillion war responsible for our economic crisis?

* And finally, why are the people responsible for lying us into the Iraq debacle still in office?

-- Susan Spahn, Madison

What is Hillary's Purple Heart count?

It's almost hard to believe that Sen. Hillary Clinton, someone who wants to be the next Commander-in-Chief, could make up such a lie about coming under attack from snipers and having to run for cover.

I wonder why she stopped there. She should have given herself the Congressional Medal of Honor and a couple of Purple Hearts while she was at it.

We just reached a milestone of 4,000 casualties in Iraq and thousands more maimed and wounded. Everyone in uniform should be outraged at Clinton's phony claim of being under fire. She should be ashamed and embarrassed, but she isn't.

One member of Congress once said Bill Clinton was the most polished, accomplished liar we ever had in the White House. Hillary would be a close second. Either Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. John McCain would be a better choice.

-- Rod Vandenburg, Janesville

Hillary for prez -- of Burlington Liars Club

When one of us mere mortals fabricates a whopper, we are guilty of lying. If we do so under oath, it's called perjury. "Scooter" Libby did that and was convicted.

Strangely enough, when a big name politician makes up a preposterous or erroneous story, it is referred to as "misspeaking" and the public is presumed to forgive the distortion.

I suggest that Sen. Hillary Clinton be given an honorary membership in the Burlington Misspeakers Club (also known as the "Burlington Liars Club"). Better yet, since she has an overpowering desire to become president, let's make her chief executive of the Burlington Liars Club instead of the country.

-- Dick Napier, Baraboo

St. Vincent de Paul fulfills needs, too

On Tuesday the State Journal Solutions section carried a story about buying gently used furniture, and Thursday an Earth Talk piece discussed recycling used clothing. I expect that readers planning either to shop for reasonably priced goods or to clean out overstuffed closets found the information helpful.

Although these syndicated pieces made note of other organizations -- some of them for-profit operations -- here and elsewhere that handle used furniture and recycled clothing, neither mentioned the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

The Society operates five thrift stores in Dane County alone. Goods donated to these stores and items purchased from them support the Society's mission of providing charitable aid to local people struggling with poverty. The Society runs Dane County's busiest food pantry, for instance.

St. Vincent de Paul operates the only local thrift stores that donate a significant portion of inventory directly to low-income individuals and families. And they use all net revenues from the Dane County stores to benefit neighbors in need, without regard to religious affiliation.

And St. Vincent de Paul will still send a truck to pick up Dane County donors' items. Call 608-278-2920 to schedule a free home pick-up or visit www.svdpmadison.org for more information.

-- Ernie Stetenfeld, community relations director, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Madison

Time for Congress to consider FairTax

Is Congress mocking us? We need oil refineries and oil; Congress refuses to allow the construction of refineries or more drilling.

They make us pay to subsidize the transformation of corn into ethanol, forcing the cost of corn and other feeds up, and increasing the cost of all other foods. Will they soon force us to pay to transform beans into natural gas?

Congress is forcing us to change from incandescent lights to compact fluorescent lights, which cost more and require clean-up of the mercury when broken. Are they laughing at us?

They refuse to build the fence on the Mexican border, which allows more illegal aliens into the country. These people place an unfair burden on our hospitals and schools. Does Congress care what we think?

The success of Mike Huckabee's run for president reflects the popularity of the FairTax. Yet Congress refuses to simplify the tax code, which continues to cost us billions each year.

The poor need a hand up, not a handout. The FairTax is a huge aid for the poor, and for the rest of us. FairTax is a single-issue organization focused on people gaining control of their income. The FairTax will allow us to take home our gross pay and never have to fill out another federal tax form. See www.fairtax.org for more information.

Since when do employees tell their bosses how things are done? Contact U.S. Rep. David Obey or Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold and remind them who pays their wages.

-- Al Ose, Wisconsin Rapids, regional director, Americans for Fair Taxation