President’s budget threatens crucial programs

As a responsible parent, I’m careful to economize in a way that allows us to pay our bills in full and on time. Yet I would never take food from my children or jeopardize their education to do it. Trying to balance a budget on the backs of the most vulnerable people is immoral, but that is exactly what the White House has just proposed. The president released a national budget that includes extreme, unprecedented cuts to foreign aid.

Poverty-focused development assistance is on the chopping block. That account contains money for nutrition for hungry mothers and babies as well as funding for basic primary education for impoverished children in the poorest countries of the world. It accounts for less than 1 percent of our national budget, so it is nonsense to think that drastic cuts to these life-saving programs are going have a big impact on our bottom line.

I urge Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, as well as Representatives William Lacy Clay Jr., Ann Wagner and Blaine Luetkemeyer to say no to these cuts and protect kids around the world.

Cynthia Levin

Town and Country