Waste and abuse are not limited to GSA

Re: "Republicans fret about thousands, ignore billions," From Readers, April 18

Jack Donner misses four points about Republican concerns over GSA's extravagant expenditures. First, the outrage over this waste spans widely across Republicans, Democrats and Independents.

Second, the government doesn't earn the money, but simply acquires it from taxpayers. Spending it carries a higher level of responsibility and frugality.

Third, this behavior is not limited to the GSA. This incident has finally enkindled political outrage over Washington's culture of spending other people's money. If you've lived here long enough, you probably know people who've said their department must exhaust their current budget to ensure getting the same amount -- or more -- during the next fiscal year.

Fourth, the Buffet Rule will take investment money out of the economy. This is money that funds businesses, and consequently jobs, and consequently taxes paid on income associated with those jobs.

Brian Wrenn

Washington

GSA employees should pay taxes on their vacation

Before the GSA employees are reprimanded or fired, a thorough review and cost analysis of what each spent should be done.Then these individuals should be taxed on the amount attributed to them by the IRS.

Their carefree, cavalier attitude is disgusting and borderline criminal.Justice, please.

Bernard Helinski

Baltimore

Showboating prosecutors ignore more serious cases

Re: "Even a creep like Edwards gets the benefit of the law," April 17

Gene Healy sensibly scrutinizes overzealous, over-the-top prosecution activities regarding former Sen. John Edwards.

I agree that Edwards has behaved miserably, but too often federal efforts have concentrated on hyped and sensational situations while far more serious lawbreaking doesn't receive the same level of attention.

Two flagrant examples of cruel and even ridiculous prosecutions are the treatment of Laura Inglis, a prominent American pilot, and George Sylvester Viereck, author and political thinker in the early 1940s.

R. J. Jones

Washington

Public employees know the pay when they take the job

Re: "Firefighters should be thanked, not criticized," From Readers, April 17

Andrea Kronzek chides us for not taking into account the fact that public safety workers are grossly underpaid for the work they perform.

No one forces someone to become a firefighter or police officer. The amount of annual compensation should be a consideration when selecting that career.

Paying any employee $95,000 in overtime is a clear indication that management is sorely lacking in Montgomery County, but we read about that every day.

Ben Arnold

Centreville